When it opens, I’m gifted with a mouth-watering model in a grey button-up shirt. The sight is served up with a side of déjà vu as I take in his boyish grin that’s on full display.
“Hey,” Owen greets me.
With my arms crossed over my chest, I return, “Hi.”
“Did you make it here okay? I wish you would’ve let me pick you up––”
“But then I would’ve had to tell Skye about our little….” I wave my finger between us, feeling absolutely ridiculous that I can't even say the four-letter word that starts with D and ends with -ate.
“Date?” he offers innocently.
“Yeah. That.”
He laughs. “Speaking of which, I have two dates planned. One includes an outdoor activity, and the other would still require us to leave the house but would be indoors. Do you have a preference, or do you want me to decide?”
“You planned two dates?”
That same boyish grin turns sheepish as he shrugs one shoulder and tells me, “Yeah. I wanted to be ready for all possibilities in case the weather was too bad for date number one.”
“Hmm.” I tap my finger against my chin, mulling over the options before asking, “I don’t suppose you’d tell me what each date is so I can make a proper decision, would you?”
“Nope. They’re both surprises. So, all you have to answer is in or out?”
“Um….” I drop my hands to my sides and twist my torso from side to side as if to test the temperature comfort of my thermals. “In.”
He smirks. “Good choice. Do you want to take my car or yours since it’s already warm? I’m good either way.”
“We can take mine, but you’re driving.” I toss him the keys, and he catches them before grabbing his coat and stepping onto the front porch. With a twist of his wrist, he locks the front door, and I turn toward my car when his hand grabs my arm to stop me.
“Wait.”
“What is it?” I ask, turning to face him again.
“I forgot something.” Leaning closer, he presses a soft, sweet, close-mouthed kiss to my lips, leaving me a melting puddle on the concrete as he pulls away and murmurs, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I breathe.
Satisfied, he tangles our fingers together, then guides me to my car and opens the passenger side before rounding the front and slipping behind the steering wheel.
Like an old couple, we bicker over music as he drives us to an undisclosed location while I toss out possibilities like they’re candy on Halloween night.
“The movies?” I offer.
“Nope.”
“The drive-in?”
“That’s a movie. And no.”
“Charlie Chows?” I ask.
“Nope.”
“Betty’s Diner?”
“Stop guessing!”
“I knew it!” I reply with a grin while shamelessly checking him out. If it weren’t awkward as hell, I’d snap a picture with my cell phone for safekeeping. Honestly, I might not be able to control myself if he keeps giving me the side smirk that showcases his strong jaw and dimpled cheek. The combination is like my dreams on steroids, and I have to stop myself from leaning forward to kiss the slight stubble that clings to his chin.