“Of course,” Anita said. Riley and Olivia nodded. “It will be the best date you ever had.”
Chapter21
“You have to tell us what happens tonight,” Anita said, adjusting the small candle in the middle of Harper’s dining-room table.
“Yes,” Riley added. “Every detail.”
“Maybe not every detail,” Olivia muttered, fluffing up the throw pillows on the couch.
Harper chuckled, although it was more from nerves than actual humor. She wanted to be casual and relaxed, and she couldn’t think of a better way to do that than to cook him a meal at home, and now her girls were helping her set everything up.
It was almost five thirty, and there was a meat loaf in the oven, baked potatoes warming in the Instapot, and green beans and bacon simmering on the stove. Tiramisu sat under the dome on the cake stand.
“I think you’re ready,” Anita said, looking things over. Riley and Olivia moved to stand next to her near the fully set table. “Time for us to go.”
“Are you sure you want to wear that?” Riley whisperedto her. “You were the one who told me I had to dress up for Hayden on our first date.”
Harper smiled. “I’m sure.” She was wearing faded jeans and a baby-blue oversized sweater, no makeup, her hair in a high ponytail, bunny slippers on her feet, and her glasses.
“I didn’t even know you wore glasses,” Olivia said.
“You’ll see them on me more often.”
Her friends left, and she stood alone in her kitchen, her stomach a twisted knot. She hadn’t expected to be so nervous about tonight, but she was close to diving into that tiramisu to soothe her nerves. She glanced at the clock. Six sharp. He should be here by now.
The minutes ticked by. Five after. Ten after. She paced the length of her living room. Was he standing her up? No one had ever stood her up before. But she was more discouraged than angry.
I got my answer before the date even started.
The doorbell rang and she jumped.He’s here.She wiped her damp palms on her jeans, then touched the doorknob. With a deep breath, she opened it, and for the second time this week, she swooned. “Hi, Rusty.”
“Hi,” he said.
“Uh, come on in.” She opened the door wider, trying not to stare at him, only to give up and give him her complete visual attention.So sexy.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he walked in. He turned and tugged at his tie—the one she’d picked out to go with the rest of the suit he was wearing. “I reckon I overdressed. I wasn’t sure what we were doin’ tonight, and I didn’t want to embarrass you if we were goin’ somewhere fancy.”
“Oh, Rusty,” she said, going to him. “You would never embarrass me.” She looked him up and down again. “Although I’m not mad about the suit. Far from it.” Then she glanced down at her outfit. “I should go change,” she said, starting to leave.
He touched her arm. “Don’t. You look fine.” Then he cleared his throat. “You look... beautiful.”
***
Rusty held his breath, waiting for her response. He was late because he’d tried to sneak out of the house without Senior seeing him, but he should have known better. He also should have known that his grandfather would guess right away that he was going out with Harper. Rusty tried to play down that it was a date, but his grandfather would have none of it. “This is your chance, son.” When Rusty tried to dismiss him, he said, “One of these days you’re gonna have to risk your heart, Russell.”
Rusty looked up at him. “You never call me Russell.”
“I never had to get your attention so badly before. Listen here. Relationships are hard, no matter what anyone says.”
“I ain’t ever had a relationship before,” he admitted. “Not one that lasted more than a couple dates, anyway.”
“You’ve been hurt a lot, haven’t you?”
Rusty shrugged. “Just by a girl or two. Three, maybe,” he muttered.
“I don’t mean that. I’m talkin’ about your folks.”
He looked at Senior. “They don’t have nothin’ to do with this.”
