Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“That’s kind of you.”
I scoff. “Kind of me? Well, here’s some news for you. I’m a kind person, Dave.”
“Never said you weren’t.”
“But that doesn’t change the fact that you blew me off. I understand why it happened, but if you want to actually see if something will work out between us, you need to meet me halfway.”
He pauses before responding. “You’re right, Maddie. There’s no excuse. Even with all the bullshit with my family—”
“I know, Dave. And I’ll let this one slide given the circumstances.” I sigh. “I feel awful that you feel so badly about this. I care a lot about you.”
“I care about you too, Maddie.”
My instinct is to push him further. Make him tell me exactly how he feels about me. But I’m also afraid I’m not ready for that answer, whichever way it goes.
So I clear my throat. “I’m heading back to campus tomorrow. I talked with my advisor and the registrar, and it’s not too late to complete my final semester of college.”
“I know. I’m glad it all worked out for you.”
“It just seemed like the right thing to do.”
“I totally understand. I need to go home and shower, but would you like to have dinner after? I’ll take you out somewhere. Make up for screwing up our lunch date.”
“Are you sure you’re up for it after working hard all day?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I weren’t,” he says. “I can pick you up in about an hour and a half if that works.”
I take a look at my watch. That would be around six thirty. “All right.”
“Who’s taking you to school tomorrow?”
“My dad.”
“Tell him he can save the gas. I’ll take you.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m beginning to feel like an echo here. But I wouldn’t have offered if I weren’t.”
There’s a hint of his usual joviality in his voice, which makes me smile. “All right. If you’d like to, I think I’d like that.”
“Good. I’ll see you in an hour and a half at your place.”
“Where will we go?”
“Did you want to go somewhere specific?”
“No, I’m just asking so I know what to wear.”
“Just wear whatever you want,” he says. “You always look beautiful, Maddie.”
“Okay.” That was no help at all.
“I’ll see you soon. Bye.”
“Bye.” I end the call.
I decide on simple black leggings, midcalf boots, and a wine-colored sweater that covers my ass.
I pin my hair up into a messy bun and accent my ears with silver wire earrings.
And that’s it. Just a little bit of makeup.
It’s a look that will work for everything but the finest restaurant, and I doubt that’s where Dave is taking me.
Not at this point, anyway. He would’ve needed to make reservations earlier, although as a Steel, he could probably get in anywhere at the last minute.
Still, I don’t think that’s what he has in store for me tonight. My guess is Lorenzo’s or something here in town.
I’m still in my room when I hear the doorbell.
I leave my room and walk out toward the house’s entrance. My mother is answering the door.
“Hello, David.” She’s smiling. That’s a good sign. “Please come in. I’ll get Maddie.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Pike.”
“Please, it’s Maureen.”
Yeah, Mom has that I want all my children to marry a Steel look on her face.
I hate to tell her that she may be barking up the wrong tree with me.
But you never know.
“I’m here, Mom.” I walk toward Dave.
His eyes are wide. “You look great.”
I feel a spurt of blood rush to my cheeks. “Thanks. So do you.”
He’s wearing black jeans, black ostrich cowboy boots, a white button-down, and a gray blazer. No tie.
“What time will you be home tonight, Maddie?” Mom asks.
“I don’t know, Mom.”
“We won’t be late, Maureen,” Dave says.
“Great.” She gives a wide smile. “You two have a nice time.”
We walk out of the house, and Dave opens the passenger side door of his Jaguar.
Once he’s seated beside me, I say, “Sorry about that.”
“About what?”
“About the curfew interrogation from my mother.”
“That’s no problem.”
Except it is a problem. Or maybe the problem is that Dave said we wouldn’t be late. Which means he’s not taking me to his place to…
It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving for school tomorrow. Maybe I’ll meet someone new.
Except I won’t. I already know all the guys in my class. All the older guys are gone, and I’m not really interested in checking out the younger guys.
I sigh. “So where are we off to?”
“My place,” he says.
I widen my eyes. “I thought we were having dinner?”
“We are. I ordered lasagna from Lorenzo’s. It should be there by the time we get back. And I’ve got a bottle of Dale’s finest Italian blend.”
“I see.” Though I’m not sure why he’s dressed for going out.
“Is that okay? Was I being presumptuous?”
“No, it’s fine. But you did tell my mom we wouldn’t be out late.”
He shrugs. “You won’t be. I’ll make sure you get home by midnight or earlier.”