“Yeah, and you can check out my moms library while we're there,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders, like it’s no big deal.
“I mean if it’s okay with your parents, sure,” I answer before I have time to second guess myself and say no. I am choosing to do what I want.
Laughing, he says, “My mom and dad won’t care, they’ll just be happy that two of the horses will get to go on a trail ride. Does 9:30 on Tuesday work for you?”
Chapter 12
Why did I think it was a good idea to ask her out on a date? Is it even a date? When’s the last time I took a woman I actually wanted to get to know on a date? Well not an official date anyway. We’re just going horseback riding. Casual. Just two friends going for a ride. Nothing special. Who cares if she has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen? Or the most gorgeous ass I’ve ever seen? An ass I’ll have to look at all day long as she rides a horse. And her smile. Every time I catch a glimpse of it, it does something to me. Every time, I get this flutter in my stomach. What did I get myself into?
Hagrid interrupts my thoughts of Hannah’s ass with a long meow as she perches herself on the corner of my kitchen counter giving a judgy look.
“What do you want?” I ask her as I make my way over to scratch her between the ears just like she likes. Stretching her neck, she closes her eyes as she starts to purr.
“You just want all the attention don’t you?” Petting her, I ask, “Do you think I’m overthinking this? I mean, I doubt she sees me as a potential anything, other than crossing a task off her BucketList.” I pick her up and make my way to the couch, where my phone is currently charging.
“Maybe I should just call Mom and ask her what she thinks. I need to call her to let her know I’ll be taking a couple of the horses out tomorrow anyways,” I tell Hagrid.
Unlocking my phone with Hagrid on my lap, I go to my recent calls and select my mom’s contact.
After a few rings she finally picks up, and before she can say anything other thanHi, I start on the word vomit that only my mom can decipher:
“Mom. What do I do for a non-date? The most amazing girl, Levi’s new roommate, remember I told you about her? Well, she’s never been horseback riding. She has this Bucket List, and I told her I would bring her. But now I don’t know if it’s a date or not. I mean it’s probably not a date. She’s a little older and probably thinks I’m too young, but still, she’s so pretty. She’s writing a book! Did you know that? She’s really into romance books, so I told her she could visit your library. That’s okay, right?” Before I can continue, I hear her laugh on the other end of the phone.
“Mom! This isn’t funny,” I say with a huff.
“Oh my God, Ian! What the hell is your problem? Have you, like, never been on a date before?” my sister asks, with another laugh.
“Sadie! Where’s mom? Why do you have her phone?” I ask.
“She was reading in her library and fell asleep. Why? Need her to plan a date for you?” she asks, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
“No, it’s fine. Just ask her to call me when she wakes up,” I say.
“So, youdoneed her to help you plan a date!”
“All right, I’m gonna hang up now,” I say, but before I can hang up, Sadie screams, “Wait! I’m a girl. I’ve been on a few dates, I can . . .”
“Since when do you date?” I ask, cutting her off. “Do I need to move back home? How is dad letting you date?”
“Ian, I’m sixteen, of course I’ve been on a few dates. I’ve even had my first . . .”
“Okay! I get it! I don’t need the details! Now, are you gonna help me or not, because if not, I’d rather be doing anything other than talking about you going on dates!” I say as I physically cringe at the thought of my baby sister going out on dates. I’m gonna have to have a chat with my dad about this.
“Yes, I’ll help you. First things first, did you actually ask her out on a date or just offer to help her with her list or whatever you said?” she asks.
“Well, I guess I just offered to take her horseback riding—”
Before I can continue, she cuts me off and asks, “Did you say the words: Will you go on a date with me?”
“No, but nobody says that anymore,” I answer.
“Everyone knows it’s just a hangout and not a date unless the words ‘will you’ and ‘date’ are said,” she says matter-of-factly. I’m starting to question asking Sadie for her advice, but before I can respond she continues, “But that doesn’t mean you can’t treat it like a date. What’s your plan so far?”
“Pick her up at Levi’s, bring her to the ranch, go horseback riding, and then show her Mom’s library.”
“Oh, Ian, you poor soul. Do you want to friend-zone the woman or get her to go on an official date with you?”
“Second option, clearly.”
