“The probability method,” she inserted. Not that it had worked out too well for her.
“Exactly,” he said. “I formulate several plots or ideas, weigh the probability of every possible outcome in each scenario, and narrow down a plan accordingly. Once I feel my chances at success are above ninety percent, I take the risk. But by that point it’s, well, less risky.”
She nodded. “That sounds like you.”
He glanced over. “It does?”
“Yes,” she said with a grin. “I remember when you came into class one day when Wallis was subbing. You insisted we’d get away with sneaking out of the class as long as we left our jackets on the chairs, and a notebook at our spot on the desk. You insisted it was all about the empty spots, and we wouldn’t leave ours empty.”
“I remember that,” he said, his voice reminiscent. “We hung out in the graffiti-stained tunnel at the elementary school.”
She liked that he remembered that detail. He had traced the veins along the back of her hand, saying the surface was just as telling as palms, according to his grandmother.
“Should we get that picture together?” he asked as he shut off the engine.
“Sure. In here?”
Jace shrugged. “If I can get my flash to work. Let’s give it a shot.” He reached over and put his arm around her. Dang, he smelled good. “All right,” he said. “Count of three.” Amy flashed a grin as he counted down, blinked from the brightness after the flash, then leaned closer as he turned the screen to show the picture. It was good. Thank heavens.
“I’ll send it to you,” he said, tapping at a few buttons. “Number?”
It actually took effort to hold back the squeal that sounded in her head. She listed off her number, and grinned as she heard it buzz.
“I’ll um, walk you to the door.”
He did just that, holding her hand all the way there. He turned to her once they’d taken the steps. “I really want to get to know you better while I’m here, if you’re open to that,” he said, his handsome face illuminated by the automatic light.
“Of course, I am.” She gave him a kinda-hug (one stiff hand on the forearm and an awkward back pat) and then pushed open her front door. “See you, Jace.”
“Wait, did you not have that locked?” His eyes went wide.
Amy shrugged. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m surrounded by a bunch of geriatric couples. This neighborhood hasn’t seen action in years.”
Jace’s shoulders broadened as he eyed the quiet homes. “You still need to keep it locked up, Amy. Sheesh, you live alone.”
The comment might have started off as protective, which made her feel good; having a strong, gorgeous guy looking out for her. But theyou live alonepart wasn’t exactly magnifying-glass worthy. More like scoot-under-the-rug worthy instead. She eyed the automatic porch light as it flicked off. Amy resisted the urge to cough up an indignant comment, mainly because she couldn’t think of one, and gave him a nod.
“Thanks again for tonight. I’ll talk to you soon.” And with that, she pushed open her door and stepped inside, barely catching sound of Jace’s reply.
“Goodnight, Amy.”
Once the door was closed, she spun to lean her back against it. A pent-up sigh passed through her lips, deflating her frame in a blink. She slid down to the ground and sighed once more, unsure of what to think about the date. She’d barely started to recall her favorite parts of the night when her phone buzzed.
A zing of excitement shot through her belly as she dug through her purse to find it. With the small device in her hand, Amy eyed the screen to see that—in addition to her text from Jace—she’d received one from Kassy.
Is your date over yet?I don’t want to interrupt but I’ve thrown up half-a-dozen times in the last two hours. There’s no possible way I’m going to be able to film the segment with you. If you’re still with Jace, see if he can take my place.
Was shekidding?No way. Amy would rather go door to door and beg a complete stranger to go live with her than actually ask Jace to do it. How desperate would that make her look?Uh, you know how you said you’d be happy to film with me if Kassy cancelled? Well, would you believe it—she just bailed. How’s tomorrow?
Great. She could just picture Nick’s face going into crazy mode at the mention of her not having a partner. Perhaps one of the interns wouldn’t mind stepping in…
Her phone dinged again. Amy glanced down once more, expecting another text from Kassy when Jace’s number popped up on the screen. Her heart did a few cartwheels as she scanned over the text.
I’d rather not leaveuntil I hear you secure the deadbolt. Could you at least pretend that safety is important to you and lock up for the night?
Amy staredat the screen with a dropped jaw. Was he serious? “Weirdo,” she mumbled. She gave in to a laugh as she readied her thumbs to text him back. But she thought better of it as his offer to take Kassy’s place replayed in her mind.
At once she stood to her feet and pulled open the door. The porch light flicked back on, and Jace squinted at her through the brightness.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi.” He barely got the word out before his lips went back to that straight, angry-looking line.
“I’ll lock the door,” she said,” but I have something to ask you in return.”
One side of his mouth quirked up, along with a brow on that same side of his face.
“Would you really be willing to take Kassy’s place tomorrow morning?”
