Later that evening,Aunt Rose disappears down the hall with a yawn, and the house settles into its usual hush. I curl into the corner of the living room couch, tucking my knees up and wrapping the throw tighter around me. Before I let myself think too hard, I grab my phone and hit the call button after finding Knox’s name. My heart kicks up, and my stomach does that ridiculous fluttery thing as it rings.
“Hello?”
Knox’s voice rumbles through the phone, and I swear my cheeks heat up in response. A slow burn spreads across my skin, and suddenly, I’m acutely aware of how flustered I am. How is it possible for a voice to do such a thing?
“Hi, it’s Juliette.”
“Juliette, how are you?” His voice slides over the words with that effortless ease, making me forget how to breathe for a moment. I swear I’m about to melt right into the phone.
“I’m great. Spent the day with Aunt Rose in Glencoe. Lots of dramatic skies and sheep. Very scenic. Very moody.”
He chuckles. “Aye, Glencoe’s good for that.”
God, even his laugh makes me want to say and do things I definitely shouldn’t.
“So,” I clear my throat, shifting to the edge of the couch, “I thought maybe I’d take you up on those lessons.”
The second the words leave my mouth, my stomach flips. I don’t just cross the line. I leap straight over it. When he doesn’t answer right away, I start second-guessing myself. This is what happens when I do something for me.
His voice is softer when he speaks again. “Sure, just let me know when’s a good time.”
“Well, I thought maybe we could use our dinner plans for the lesson, too? You know, two birds, one stone.”
I can almost picture the slow curve of his lips as he replies, his voice a little playful, a little dangerous. “Ah, are you accepting my request for a date as well, lass?”
The heat in my cheeks spikes again. “Aye,Captain,I am.”
He chuckles, and the sound ripples through me, sending a little flutter straight to my heart. “Okay, then. What are you doing tomorrow night?”
I hesitate for a moment, caught off guard by how easy it is to hold a conversation with him. Like this is no big deal. Except…thisisa big deal. “Well, nothing. My schedule’s wide open.”
“Can you be ready around four?”
“I can do that.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel. “Do you want me to meet you somewhere?”
“I’ll pick you up if you’re comfortable with coming over to my place for dinner?”
“Of course,” I reply. “That would be great. I’m really looking forward to it.”
I’m pretty sure I sound like a giddy schoolgirl with a massive crush.
His rich, hearty laugh rumbles through the phone, shattering the silence and sending another thrill straight through me. “Me too, lass. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Sure thing! Talk to you then.”
Yeah, I’m definitely not playing it cool.
Another chuckle. “Goodnight, Juliette.”
Dizziness sweeps over me, tumbling around inside like I’m fifteen again. I’m too old for this teenage-level flailing. Too smart to let a goodnight send me spinning.
But here I am anyway, grinning like an idiot in the dark.
Yep. I am so screwed.
fifteen
KNOX
