Page 33 of Twice as Tempting

“Well, yeah.”

“Wow, Kell. That’s…admirable, I guess. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

They worked companionably for the next few hours, until Emma left to pick up Ava. While Kelly neatened up the bookshelves, she reflected on how Emma had gone from being divorced to becoming a part of a family of four almost overnight. Up until recently, Kelly had touted her single lifestyle over that of her married friends. So, why was she suddenly yearning for something more? Just because Emma had joined the ranks of the (almost) married with children, it didn’t mean that Kelly had to. Besides, Damian seemed to be content with his single status too.

“Ugh! Why does it always come back to Damian?” Kelly yelled to the empty bookstore. Her phone buzzed in her pocket and startled her. She fished it out and stared down at the simple text message.

Dinner tonight?

She hesitated for a moment but then typed: Ok.

Your place or mine?

She hesitated even longer this time, but before she could respond, her phone pinged again.

On second thought, maybe we should go to a restaurant!

Kelly giggled. Damian must have thought the same thing she had when she had read his invitation. It would definitely be safer for them to meet in a public place, rather than hole up in one of their apartments together.

I agree.

I’ll need to go home and clean up after work, so, pick you up at six?

Kelly shook her head at the phone. He would hardly have to pick her up when she lived across the parking lot! She typed: Sounds good and then slipped the phone back into her pocket.

She floated through the rest of the workday with a permanent smile on her face, and when Brett came in to relieve her at five, he studied her inquisitively.

“I recognize that look,” he said when he joined her behind the counter.

“What look?”

“You have a date.”

“I have a certain look when I have a date?”

“Um-hmm. Your cheeks are a little flushed, and you have that dreamy, faraway look in your eyes.”

“Wow, Brett. I had no idea that guys could be so observant!”

He smiled at her and adjusted his stylish glasses. The young girls were nuts over this guy, and Kelly could certainly understand why.

“Oh, we’re observant all right. Is that what you’re wearing on your date?”

Kelly glanced down at her black dress pants and floral print blouse. She had always dressed conservatively at the store, and Brett had never really seen her when she went out. “Hell no,” she replied and then corrected herself, “I mean, heck no.”

Brett chuckled. “I’m twenty-one, Kelly. I can handle a swear word or two.”

“You’re twenty-one?” she teased. “Anyway, as a guy, what would you suggest I wear tonight?”

“A dress,” he answered immediately. “A simple sundress if you’ve got one. Men go crazy over a woman in a dress.”

Kelly raised her eyebrows at him. “Really?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Ok, then. I’ll take your word for it. A simple sundress it is.”

Kelly mentally went through her closet on the way home. She had an assortment of summer dresses to choose from, but based on Brett’s description, she settled on one in particular. When she arrived at the apartment complex, she noticed that Damian’s parking spot was empty. Good! That gives me plenty of time to get ready.