Page 97 of At First Catch

“That’s a surprise.”

“I hate surprises.”

“Liar.”

Nolan smiles.

I smile back without thinking.

Somewhere behind us, Walter wolf-whistles from the bait shop. I don’t even roll my eyes this time.

By six thirty that evening, I have changed outfits four times. The fact that tonight is officially a date has reduced me to standing barefoot in my bedroom, staring at dresses as if they’ve personally betrayed me.

Rook, who seems to be at my house more than his own, watches from the bed with visible judgment.

“You’re not helping.”

His tail thumps once.

Outside my cottage windows, twilight settles across Otter Creek Farm. The sky glows dusky lavender beyond the trees while warm spring wind moves through the grass in gentle waves.

Everything feels quiet tonight. Suspended. Like the whole world is waiting with me.

This is the first time Nolan and I are stepping into something openly.

A knock sounds at the front door precisely at seven, and my pulse goes into complete chaos.

“Oh my God,” I whisper to myself.

Rook barks once, announcing my emotional downfall to the neighborhood.

I smooth nervous hands down the front of my dress before opening the door—and completely forget how breathing works.

Nolan stands on the porch holding flowers.

Soft white peonies and pale pink wildflowers wrapped in brown paper while the porch light catches against the sharp line of his jaw.

He changed too. Dark jeans encase his strong thighs. A button-down shirt, sleeves rolled to his forearms, exposes a few tattoos I want to spend more time tracing with my tongue.

His hair is still damp, as if he showered not long ago.

For one ridiculous second, I forget to take the flowers. Nolan glances down at them, then back at me.

“These were supposed to make this less awkward.”

Nolan’s eyes move over me.

“You’re staring,” I whisper.

His gaze lifts back to mine.

“Can you blame me?”

My skin prickles and tightens, every nerve screaming as a wave of intense heat washes over me.

I lean lightly against the doorframe before my knees embarrass me. “You brought flowers.”

Nolan glances down like he forgot he was holding them.