Chapter 6
Amy tied up the laces of her ankle boots, wondering if Jace Burns was really about to show up at her door. He’d convinced her, through messaging back and forth, that it really was Jace she’d been talking with and not some crazy man posing as Jace to discover where she lived. He’d mentioned a few things that onlyhewould know. Like the baking crisis they had while attempting to make homemade brownies in foods class. And the way Carl Linsley always tried to get her to taste the batter off the spoon between stirs. Something she’d never once agreed to, by the way. He’d also mentioned her brief (and horrific) dating stint with Connor Belder during her freshman year.
So, it wasn’t a matter ofwhoshe’d been talking to, just a matter of whether or not he’d actually show.Of course, he will, Amy. He’s not a jerk.She nodded while moving onto the other laces. Years might have passed since she’d seen the guy in person, but she knew well enough that Jace Burns was a good guy.
The unmistakable sound of a car door closing caused her heart to skip a beat. “He’s here.” The words tumbled off her lips in a whisper. Holyshnikeys,Jace Burns was at her house! To pick her up for a date, no less! Forget about speed-dating on live TV,thismoment awoke nerves Amy hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
A quick rap sounded at the front door, and Amy gave herself one last glance in the mirror. Casual jeans and a flannel shirt tied over a light tee shirt. She’d wrestled with the idea of pulling her hair back, mainly because she was more comfortable that way, but Amy had seen enough photos and videos of herself to know she looked better with her hair down. She’d worn it straight, save a slight wave at the ends to give it that flowing look.
As she hurried down the short hallway toward the front room, a buzz came to her phone. Kassy, no doubt. Amy had spoken with her before hopping in the shower, and ended the call by saying she’d call her back once she was ready. Kassy should have known better than to count on that. What woman preparing for a date ever felt “ready” with time to spare?
Amy would have to text her once they were in the car. She rounded the corner, expecting to see the back of her closed entry door, but realized—once she saw Jace standing behind the glass—that only her storm door had been closed. He was glancing at something in the distance, his profile gorgeous enough to make her breath hitch.
She gulped, realizing she’d stopped walking for a blink, then cleared her throat and rushed to press open the screen. “Hi there,” she said. “Come on in.” The invitation came out even and steady despite the nerves tightening her throat.
“Thanks.” He stepped inside, bringing a whole lot of manliness with him. Not just in the handsome, muscled sight of him in jeans, work boots, and a long-sleeved tee, but the incredible, masculine scent of leather and spice. He glanced over the room briefly before setting his gaze back on her. Amy had almost forgotten the gorgeous blue depths of Jace’s eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
Her face went hot. “Thanks. So do you.” They chuckled in unison, though Amy hadn’t been kidding in the least. He might be rocking the muscled physique of a historical god, along with a five o’clock shadow that screamed masculinity, but it was a beautiful sight all the way up to that head of thick, chestnut hair.
“So,” Jace said, hooking a thumb into his pocket, “I figured we’d go to Sunset Orchard, if that sounds good to you.”
Amy grinned. The orchard was one of her favorite places in all the world. She and her family used to spend hours there this time of year. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Good.” He flashed a dazzling, dimple-revealing smile. “So, the only question is this. Would you like to grab a bite before the orchard or after?”
Was it horrible that she wanted to avoid the family rush at the orchard? Have a little more quiet time with Jace? “How about we start with dinner?”
“Sounds good to me.” His voice was husky, low, and alluring. The very tone was uniquelyhim,and Amy was drawn to it just like the rest of his qualities.
She paid attention as they made their way into town, to the big things as well as the small. The way he opened the door for her, waiting until she was settled into the seat before gently closing it. His phone was propped onto the dash with some sort of device, and when he roared up the SUV, the new car smell fusing with the delicious scent of his cologne, Jace pressed a button to engage a music list he must have already been listening to. Music that was popular the year they graduated high school together. Funny, she still enjoyed listening to the old hits too.
“So, I’ve seen a few of your TV segments. Is that what you call them?”
Amy shrugged, hoping he wouldn’t detect the heat flushing across her cheeks at the thought of him watching her. “Sure, TV segment works.”
“You’re fun to watch.” He came to a stop at a light before glancing over. Only it wasn’t just a glance. He fixed his gaze on her and smiled. “Do you like your job?”
Calm down, heart. Just calm down.If only Amy could send the obnoxious organ to its quiet place, the way Kassy did with the twins. It was misbehaving to the point it hurt. “Yeah, I really like it.”
“So, you never freak out at the idea that you’re going to be on live TV?”
She chuckled. “It’s a good thing you’re not my coach. Can’t imaginethatkind of pep talk before going live.”
He joined her in a hearty laugh. One that filled the space with that husky tone of his. “Yeah, but if I was your coach I wouldn’t say stuff like that.”
“No? Then whatwouldyou say?”
The light turned as Jace glanced back at the road. “Hmm… I’d probably tell you how good you looked, a lot.” He chuckled. “Would that do?”
Amy grinned. “Perfect.” She turned her face to receive the cool air from the side vent on her cheeks. The attraction she’d once felt for him was definitely still there.
“So, do you have one of those?” Jace asked.
“One of what?” She turned to look at him. His eyes were pasted on the road, but that profile was as breathtaking as the rest of him with that well-defined jaw, thick head of dark hair, and hint of a dimple, even when he wasn’t smiling. Perhaps that’s what made him appear so mischievous, as if he was always holding an amusing secret.
“A coach,” he specified.
