“When you ran away from me.” He started to ask, taking the seat next to her.
“I’m sorry about that.” She winced, interrupting him. “I panicked, when things started moving so quickly.”
So, he was right. He had frightened her and pushed her too quickly. “You could have just said something, instead of running away.”
“I honestly didn’t know what to say.” Or what I want. She whispered under her breath.
Heather understood her struggle, as he was going through the same thing. He had shut his emotions off for so long, and finally meeting someone who awakened them, was frightening. Heath took her ice-cold hand in his. “Say you’ll give this a chance, and we take it one day at a time.”
“I thought you said you don’t date.” Her eyebrows puckered in confusion, and he wanted to rub his thumb over it to smooth it.
“I don’t.” He said quickly. It was true, but he wanted Olivia any way he could get her. If he had to ‘date’ her to do it, then so be it. “I want to spend more time with you. I had a great time today, and I don’t want that to end.”
Olivia smiled broadly. “I did, too. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good time.”
“Then agree to go out with me again. I’ll take you to dinner. A real proper date.” He took her hand in his, stroking his thumb over the top of her hand.
Olivia bit her lip looking away. He could hear the wheels in her head, as she thought over his offer.
Olivia took a deep breath and faced him again, after a moment. She finally seemed to reach a decision. He braced himself for another rejection. A rebuttal was already forming in his head to convince her, when she said, “Yes.” Heath opened his mouth to counter her no, when he paused.She said yes.She agreed to go out with him. To give him a chance. He couldn’t be more shocked and excited. She said yes.
“You won’t regret this.” He promised, kissing the back of her hand.
Olivia looked down, as a blush stained her cheeks. Oh no, he wouldn’t let her hide that from him. He loved seeing how his words affected her. Heath tilted her chin up, until she met his gaze. Something in his chest stirred, when her blue eyes met his that he couldn’t name. It made his chest grow tight.
“Tomorrow night?” He wanted to see her again, as soon as possible.
“I’ll ha-have to check with Kathy.” Heath raised a questioning brow. “I think I might be working.” She added hastily.
“If not, we can do another night.”
“Tomorrow should be fine.” She assured him. “Meet me here at the diner.”
“I can pick you up at home.”
“No,” she all but shouted in a panic, before schooling her features and clearing her throat. “What I meant was I don’t want to put you through the trouble. I don’t live in town.”
“Neither do I. It’s no trouble really.” Why wouldn’t she let him see her house? Was she embarrassed by it? He didn’t care what it looked like. He wasn’t a prude. His apartment wasn’t much to look at. It was a nice community, but his house was bare and plain. Olivia seemed the type she could make a hovel feel warm and cozy.
What was wrong with him? Thinking about places feeling warm and cozy. Next thing he knew, he’d be spouting poetry or some such nonsense.
“Heath, please just meet me here at the diner at seven o’clock.”
He could see by the stubborn tilt of her chin there was no persuading her without causing an argument, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. “Fine,” he conceded. “Seven o’clock here at the diner tomorrow on one condition.” He couldn’t help but add his concession.
“What’s that?” She asked warily.
Heath couldn’t hide his chuckle. She looked so worried about what he would ask her. She was adorable. “Wear a skirt.”
“That’s it?” She asked skeptical, as if this were some sort of trick.
“That’s it.” He confirmed.
“What if I don’t wear one or have one?”
What woman didn’t own a skirt? Every woman he knew owned at least one, whether they wore it or not. “Then, I’ll be picking you up at home, and believe me, I have ways of finding where you live.” It wasn’t a threat, but a fact. He’d lived in this town long enough he knew almost everyone. If he didn’t, he knew people that could help.
Olivia gulped and her face paled. That wasn’t the reaction he was hoping to get. “Are you alright?” He looked her over worried something was wrong. He had only been teasing.
