He exhales loudly, and I realize my words might be hitting him on a deeper level. Given his former profession, there's a good chance very few people, maybe even no one, has ever said that to him before.
"Thank you," he murmurs before his voice rises. "But I mean it. I'm fine with whatever you decide once I open this door."
My body thrums with anticipation as I stand up and smile.
I'm ready.
"Hurry up and open the damn thing already."
13
Kip
Okay. Moment of truth time.
I haven't felt this nervous since…well, ever. I don't normally get nervous before a first date because I'm usually battling low-key dread and have a deep-rooted feeling in the pit of my stomach telling me it isn't going to work. That whoever I'm about to spend the next few hours with isn't the guy I'm going to want to spend the rest of my life with.
There's none of that now, which I guess has allowed nerves to climb in through the window of my heart.
Window of my heart?
Looks like my nerves are turning me into a sap. My friends would have a field day if they could see me now. Their nickname for me is the king of cool. Nothing bothers me,no oneever gets me hot and bothered.
Until today.
With a decisive nod, I yank the handle, and the door swings open.
Darby is standing there, facing me straight on, fully dressed except for his shoes. His cheeks are a little flushed, and he's even more breathtaking than I remember.
His slender build.
Short, dark-blond hair.
A few distinctive moles along the side of his neck, and a sprinkling of light freckles.
Full, pink, kissable lips.
And he was right about the pièce de résistance. His eyes aremesmerizing.
Mom has a favorite vase that she keeps out by the kitchen window, always filled with seasonal blooms. It's an exquisitepowdered blue and gleams beautifully in the sunlight, often eclipsing the beauty of the flowers it contains.
Darby's eyes are that same incredible color, and they’re each shaped slightly differently—one narrower, one wider.
I'm hypnotized by them.
Byhim.
All the things he told me run through my mind as I connect the dots between the idea I'd formed of him and the reality of the man standing in front of me. The elements blend together seamlessly.
"Hey," I say, my cheeks lifting in a smile.
The nerves I felt moments ago flutter away like butterflies. I'm overwhelmed by a sense of certainty I have no right to possess that the person standing before me is going to change my life in ways I can't even begin to imagine.
"It's good toproperlymeet you, Mr. Adams."
14
Darby
