“Security Specialist sounds like an exceptional position. I bet you see a lot of clandestine information.”
“Clandestine, huh?” I grin at her terminology.
“Sorry! I can’t help it. It’s my weakness. Sometimes, I go into my head and switch from the outdoor, dog loving, Warrior volunteer to the critical content editor.”
“What?”
“My real job. I’m a freelance editor. My degree is in English with a minor in Creative Writing. I edit for publications, magazines, and a few clients that publish their work online only.”
“That’s quite impressive, much more so than a Security Specialist. Believe me, when I’m backstage doing security at an event, it’s less than clandestine.”
“Are you making fun of my vocabulary, Finn Black?” she questions, trying to hide her amusement. Yep, she’s adorable.
“Never, but I may need to bust out my thesaurus to keep up with you.”
Her smile widens, and I reach down and graze my fingertips over her hands. “I was serious about coming here today to see you. It seemed crass to ask you out at your brother’s funeral. Took my chance that today would be better timing.”
I inwardly curse myself for bringing it up, expecting her face to fill with sadness, but she surprises me with a giggle, her eyes dancing.
“Are you asking me out?”
“Yes, I’d like to take you to dinner tomorrow night.”
Her face falls, and the light in her eyes dims. “I have Winnie tomorrow night and Thursday, too.”
Shit! I have a concert on Friday night and the charity event on Saturday. No way do I want to wait until Sunday to see her again. My mind starts to scramble with ways to work this out.
“Unless you’d like to meet us tomorrow night,” she says hesitantly. “I pick her up from summer camp, and we go for an early dinner at Chick-fil-A. She plays on the play center for a while before we eat. You could join us.”
“I’d love to,” I answer without thinking about it. She could tell me to meet her at the Sonic Drive-In, and I’d probably agree.
“Give me your number. I can call you and let you know when we’ll be there.” She reaches in her back pocket and takes out her phone.
“How about I call you tomorrow to confirm? Maybe I can pick you two up?” I pull out my own phone. If my first date with Presley is going to be at a fucking Chick-fil-A, I’d like to do something traditional, like picking her up.
“That’s really nice, but I’d have to change out the booster seat, which is a pain. And Winnie doesn’t know you—”
I’m an idiot and completely fucking this up. “Say no more. I get it. I’ll meet you there.”
Her grin turns solemn as she takes the phone from my hand and punches in her number.
“Hey, why the sad face?” I gently lift her chin to me.
“My life is different than most twenty-five year olds, Finn. Maybe this is a bad idea.”
“On the contrary, I think this is a good idea. I’ll call you tomorrow, schedule a time to meet, and we’ll discuss how ‘different your life is’ over nuggets and waffle fries. Sound like a deal?”
There’s a small change in her expression, and she forces a smile. “Sounds like a deal.”
Before she can change her mind or talk herself out of it, I lean in and brush my lips lightly across her cheek.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Presley.”
Her breath hitches, and she gives a small nod. I take one last look and force myself to turn around and walk away.
The whole walk back to my office, her beautiful face fills my mind. The feel of her soft skin against my lips mixed with the scent of her perfume is all I can think about. Tomorrow night can’t come soon enough.
Oh yeah, I’m screwed…