Page 121 of Flirting with 40

“Whew.” I look around the bar. “I sure hope he shows up tonight.”

It’s Slade’s turn to throw his head back and laugh, drawing the stares of those around us.

“Why’s that?” he asks over the rim of his glass, playing along.

“Because I have something important to give him.”

“His walking papers?”

“Nah.” I slide the Blade’s To-Do list across the bar top so it sits in front of him. “This.”

Blade’s To-Do List:

Make Paul regret he ever let you go.

Figure out our history: when we met, how long your legs really are, pet peeves, etc.

Make Horrible Heather see you differently.

Win your co-workers over by being fucking awesome.

Convince everyone we are madly in love and meant to be.

Get the promotion.

Find the real Blakely again.

Fall hopelessly in love.

“What’s this?” he asks as he looks down, the soft chuckle on his lips falling silent when he sees it.

“A little something I crossed off tonight before I came here. It may have been a tad presumptuous, but there was no way in hell I was leaving anything to chance this time around.”

“A woman who takes charge. I kind of like it.”

“Someone taught me confidence was attractive.”

“It is. Howling at the moon is even sexier.”

“I believe I may have done that a time or two.”

“Don’t ever stop.”

The smile toys with the corner of his mouth as his fingers slide down and link with mine.

“This true?” he asks of the napkin, eyes intense, voice thick with emotion.

“Is it crazy if I say yes?” I whisper. “I never believed in love at first sight, but, Slade . . . I think you owned a little piece of my heart that first night when I walked out of here.”

“You’ve owned me since your first rant.”

Lovely. But isn’t that so perfectly us?

“I’ll make mistakes, but I’ll try to fix them.”

“I appreciate that.” He leans forward and kisses me. The kind of kiss that makes the ache begin to burn and the need begin to beg. “You know what I appreciate even more?”

“Hmm.”