"Okay."
Clay was grateful that she ate the rest of her dessert without another moan and they each paid their bill, though Clay insisted on leaving the tip.
As they walked out of the restaurant, Clay pulled out his phone. "Still wanna give me your number?"
He looked down at her and didn't even mind the large difference in their heights. If he got a crick in his neck when he was kissing her, he'd just pick her up.
Shit. He shouldn't be thinking about kissing her. Not tonight anyway. Maybe on their next date.
Dylan took his phone and opened his texts. She typed in her number and added a short message before she hit send.
Clay took the phone back and nearly laughed at her message.
"This is Clay. You're the best date ever," he read aloud. "Well, you should know your worth."
She smiled up at him. "I'm glad I met you tonight, Clay." She leaned in and gave him a quick hug. "You're funny and nice."
He bent a little and wrapped an arm around her back, enjoying the embrace. She was tiny compared to him, yet she smelled like the autumn woods. He wondered if it was perfume or if it was because of her genetics as a nymph.
"Ah, funnyandnice. The kiss of death."
She giggled, reached up to pull his face down, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "No, it's the kiss of getting a second date." She pulled away and paused a second before she said, "As long as you call me about it."
"Oh, I definitely will."
He walked her to her car and made her laugh again when he insisted on opening her car door for her.
He squatted down in her open door so she wouldn't have to crane her neck to look up at him. "How do you feel about Thai food?"
She grinned. "I have good feelings about it."
"Good to know," he said. "I'll talk to you soon." He stood and, before he shut the door, said, "I'm glad I met you tonight, too, Dylan."
He shut the door and walked over to his own vehicle. He got inside but didn't start it up and drive off until she left the parking lot.
Before he drove off the lot and in the opposite direction, he picked up his cell phone and tapped out a little message.
Let me know when you get home. Be safe.
He was almost home when his phone buzzed and he glanced at the screen.
I'm home. Let me know when you made it.
Clay pulled into his driveway a few moments later.I'm home too. Sweet dreams.
Immediately, she replied.Good night, Clay. Sleep well.
If he managed to sleep, he knew he'd dream of her laugh.
ChapterFive
The next morning, Dylan was working on a display at the front of the store when the bell over the door rang. She turned to welcome the customer but was greeted by a bouquet of flowers with legs.
"Um, hello?"
The flowers moved to the side to reveal a man holding a vase. "Hi. I have a delivery for Dylan Hayes."
She was taken aback for a moment before she replied, "That's me."
