AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod and speak, my voice low as I explain my condition, making myself vulnerable in the process. “Yes. I like being around you too. But we want two completely different things. I’m not the no strings kind of girl and you don’t believe in something that I’ve dedicated my life to."
He nods. “I’m not hearing the condition, though.”
“Patience is a virtue, Sweets.” I smile at the shock on his face from the nickname.
“Sweets?” He asks, his lips quirking into a cocky grin.
I roll my eyes. “Stay on topic, Big Guy.” I barely refrain from laughing out loud at his reaction to my cutesy nicknames. “I can’t do...” I gesture back and forth between us, “this indefinitely. So, five dates. Give me five dates to get you to fall in love with me.”
His smile dies quickly at that. “Sunshine...I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want you going into this with expectations that I can’t meet.”
“I’m not. You’ve made yourself more than clear. I’m just telling you I think you’re wrong and asking for a chance to prove it.” I lean up in my seat, reaching across the table to cover his hand with my own. “If I get my heart broken, that’s on me not on you. But I’m asking for five more dates to prove love and romance do exist. And they’re worth it.”
He studies me, then. I’m not sure what he’s looking for and his intense scrutiny has my palms going slick with sweat, but I straighten my spine and meet his gaze head on. I might be nervous about this proposition, but I don’t regret making it. The silence stretches for long enough that when he does finally speak, I know it's to let me down easily. My heart, which lodged itself firmly in my throat when I made my offer, seems to deflate and sink to the pits of my stomach.
“Okay.”
His voice is soft. So soft I’m not sure I heard him right. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Okay. Five dates. But Millie will kill me if I hurt you. So, five platonic dates for us to enjoy each other’s company.” He stresses the word platonic, but I can’t help but notice he left out part of the deal.
“And five dates for me to convince you love is worth it,” I say, holding my hand out for him to shake. His large, warm hand envelops mine as he says, “deal.”
My nerves dissipate at that. He’s giving me a chance. Sure, his pessimism waters my excitement down a bit, but my fingers itch with the desire to start my mission. Even if he doesn’t fall in love with me, I can’t wait to make this big, broody man a believer.
He releases my hand and points at the other side of the room. “Heavy conversation aside, are you ready to throw some axes?”
seventeen
Phase One
Me: Favorite color?
Sweets: Green. Or black. You?
I laugh at his response, so very Emmett-like, and then snuggle further into my couch to reply.
Me: Predictable. Pink.
Sweets: Really? And I’m the predictable one?
Sweets: Favorite food?
Me: That’s a tough one. I might need a minute to think about it.
Sweets: What’s tough about it?
Me: Well what kind of food are we talking about? Italian? Then it’s lasagna. Or maybe alfredo. Mexican? Enchiladas. Chinese? Egg rolls. Hands down.
Sweets: I’m sensing a pattern here.
Me: And don’t even get me started on pizza. The versatility of it is impressive. Plain pepperoni. Sweet and tangy Hawaiian with BBQ and pineapples. Or a creamy chicken bacon ranch pizza with alfredo sauce. The choices are endless.
Sweets: So, your favorite food is... food?
Me: Exactly. I have a love affair with food. All food. Except maybe brussel sprouts. Something about those give me the heebie jeebies. What’s yours?
Sweets: I’m a simple guy. So, a nice burger, grilled steak, or plain pepperoni pie makes me happy.
