"I’m twenty-three." Alex finished the apple.
That's only five years, I thought.
"You’ll be twenty-four in November," he said. "And Jocelyn knows what kind of player you are. She’s too smart for your kind."
I wanted to hit Evan, or at least tell him to shut up, but Alex did it for me. He punched Evan's arm and said, "Let Jocelyn tell me herself."
They both stared at me. Two perfectly sexy men, staring at me.Will that everhappen again?
"What?" Stupid question, but all I could manage at the time.
"Tell Alex you’re not interested in him," Evan advised.
"Jocelyn." Alex ignored his brother. "Would you like to go and get something to eat with me?"
"Um, well, Evan and I are kinda in the middle of a project." I sounded like a complete idiot, but I had never been asked out on a date before.
"Not now." He laughed and looked to Evan. "Is she always this cute?"
"Adorable." Evan rolled his eyes. I was picking up a strange vibe from him, like he didn’t want me to accept Alex’s invitation.
"My mother wants me all to herself tonight, but how about tomorrow night? Are you free?"
"Um, yeah," I said. "I’m always free."
Kill me now!
"Okay." Alex smiled. "I’ll keep that in mind."
"I just meant I’m not seeing anyone." I tried to recover. Evan snickered, and I shot him a "shut the hell up" look.
"That’s good news," he said, as he headed up the back staircase. "I’ll get your number from Evan and call you later."
"Sure." I smiled.
"It was nice meeting you, Jocelyn Andrews," he said, as he disappeared from sight.
Chapter Two
I paced the living room, waiting for Alex to pick me up. He'd called last night, just like he said he would, and asked if I wanted to go and get something to eat. I agreed, despite Evan's warnings that Alex wasn't first date material. He didn't mean going out for the first time with a guy I’d just met, but that this was my first dateever.I knew Evan was right. Alex was older, experienced, and a player. He’d dated half the town before leaving for college, but that didn't bother me. I found him incredibly cute, sexy, and charming. I knew I was out of his league, but what was the harm in going to dinner with him? It wasn't as if I had anything else to do.
"Jocelyn," Max said, "would you please sit still? I'm trying to watch the game."
"Sorry." I laughed. "I guess I'm being silly."
The doorbell rang, and I jumped. Max laughed. "You want me to get it?"
"No!" I headed to the door.
I took one second and checked myself in the hall mirror, then I took a deep breath and reached for the handle. He was already smiling when I opened the door. I didn't think it was possible, but he looked better than he had yesterday. He had on a black, long-sleeve T-shirt that hugged him in all the right places, outlining his perfectly toned chest and abs. His jeans fit him like he was a Calvin Klein model. And, Oh My God . . . worn-out cowboy boots. All he needed was a horse, and he'd be every girl's fantasy.
Giddy-up, cowboy!
"Hello." He smiled, and I noticed he allowed his eyes to briefly wander over me.
Hmm . . . he's checking me out, too.
"Hi," I shyly responded.
