SIXTEEN
Rain
It’s beena couple of days since Ridge went on that run, and I totally lost it. I woke up in his bed the next day feeling embarrassed. I snuck out before he got the chance to see me, not sure what I would say to him. After cleaning up my mess, I was grateful when he acted like it was any other day.
Still, that night changed something between us. Every look and touch feels more intimate. Now it’s time for our date, and I’m nervous.
Turning, I stare at myself in the mirror. The black leggings are new and do awesome things for my butt. On top, I have on a black sports bra with a black zip-up jacket that came with the leggings. The outfit is tight but hides all of my insecurities. In fact, it makes me feel hot, in a good way. I should probably go online and order another set.
It’s not what I would typically wear on a date, but it’s what Ridge recommended.
“What the hell does he have planned for us?” I mutter to myself.
My mind comes up blank when I try to think of a reason why he would tell me to wear workout gear. Nothing, and I mean nothing, comes to mind, which is concerning.
A knock on my bedroom door makes my heart race. This is it. Ridge is on the other side, ready to take me out. How is this even real life? It almost feels like a dream. One I never thought would happen or thought I wanted to happen.
Walking over, I open the door, and my breath catches when I see him.
Ridge has on a pair of loose gray sweatpants and a T-shirt that looks well worn. He’s not dressed up by any means, but he looks relaxed, happy, almost as if he doesn’t have a care in the world, and there’s something sexy about it.
“You look beautiful.” He smiles.
I can feel my face heat at his compliment. “Thank you.”
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah, one sec.” Leaving him at the door, I go to my bed and grab my go-bag with a change of clothes and a swimsuit.
Something else he told me to pack.
When I reach him once again, he takes the bag from my hand.
“I can carry that.”
He shrugs. “I know you can, but that doesn’t mean you have to.”
In the living room, he grabs his bag, and we head to the door. After locking up the house, he takes me over to his truck and opens the passenger door for me before tossing the bags in the back seat.
I watch as he rounds the hood, and I run my hands along my thighs. As fucked up as it is, this is already the best first date I’ve been on. The tone of it is unlike anything I’ve experienced. I’ve never had a guy meet me at my door, carry something for me, or let alone open a car door. Even though I’m more than capable ofdoing all of those things myself, it’s nice that he wants to do it for me.
It’s the little things.
When he gets in, he starts up the truck and starts to drive. The music plays softly, and I watch as he drums his fingers on the steering wheel. The silence should be uncomfortable, but it’s not.
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked me where we are going yet,” he says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I figured you would tell me when you were ready.” I shrug.
A beautiful smile crosses his face, making my heart race.
“Not wrong. Are you okay with it being a surprise, or would you rather I tell you?”
I hum, thinking it over. I want to know, but I do love a good surprise.
“Or another option. It’s technically a two-part date. I could tell you one and then leave the other one as a surprise.”
“That. Let’s do that,” I say quickly.
