“Actually…I came to find you,” Jed reveals, rocking from his heels to his toes and back again.
“Okay…” I trail off as I finish shelving the abused books.
Some of that tension creeps back. “Do you want to go to dinner on Friday?”
“Oh.” My hand covers my mouth.
It feels like hours before I can even formulate a thought, and all I can think is that I would have preferred a different man to ask me. Or rather, two different men. But it’s not like we gave each other promise rings or something. We’ve only shared a kiss. They were both very intense kisses, but that’s beside the point. I don’t owe them anything, and they don’t owe me. So, I shouldn’t feel guilty about being asked out by another man.
“I have to work on Friday,” I tell him.
“Oh, okay. That’s alright.” He nods his head and starts to turn.
I reach for his shoulder before he can turn away fully. “But I’m free tomorrow night,” I blurt out.
Jed’s eyes practically sparkle, spinning back to me. “Tomorrow night? Yeah! I mean…” He clears his throat. “Yeah, tomorrow night works.”
I hold in the chuckle that wants to burst free at his attempt to look cool. “Great.”
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he informs me.
“Okay,” I agree and give him my address.
I’m ready for this—putting myself out there. I need it. This is part of moving on and leaving what happened in New York back in New York. A date doesn’t mean we have to get married. It’s just a free meal and hopefully some good stimulating conversation.
God, I hope this isn’t a horrible first date.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
RAVEN
“I’ll be back no later than eleven o’clock,” I inform Kat as I double-check to make sure I have all the essentials in my purse.
“Don’t worry. I have everything covered here,” Kat assures me as she grabs my hands, halting my nervous fidgeting.
I spent way too long getting ready for this date. Just figuring out an outfit was hectic enough. My entire wardrobe is currently strewn about my room. I settled on a cute pair of skinny jeans that hug my curves in all the right places, a loose but flattering white tank top, and a pair of flats. My makeup is simple as well, and I left my hair down in its natural waves.
Sighing, I give my friend a half-smile. “Seriously. Thank you for this.”
“Don’t mention it, babe,” she brushes me off.
“But I want?—”
I’m interrupted when I get a text from Jed, letting me know that he’s here. Kat sees the text as well and pats my arm. “Go have fun.”
“Okay.” I relax my shoulders and call out, “Be good for Kat, Noah!”
He comes running into the entryway. “Can I make popcorn?” Noah’s eyes almost bug out of his head. “Woah, Mom! You look really pretty.”
I wrap him in a hug and kiss the top of his head. “Thanks, little king.”
He looks up at me curiously. “Where are you going again?”
“Umm. Out…With a friend.”
Noah tilts his head. “What friend?”
“Uhhh…”
