8
Dinner Plans
Nate
Watching Elle’s face flush was an ego boost, I couldn’t deny. This girl had occupied any spare place in my mind for the past month. Her curves, freckles scattered like a constellation, they hypnotized me.
However, my attraction to Elle was more than that. It was how she interacted with everyone in the library. Her smiles as she watched the kids that came in for story time. How she twirled her hair when lost in thought. The ways her eyes lit up when she talked about writing.
Over the past month, I’d found myself drawn to her when she was at the library, asking questions and getting to know her. More than anything I wanted to take her on a date, and this dinner set up by Gabby and Ava seemed like a great idea. I wanted to high-five both of them and say thanks for being Team Nate.
“So, dinner?”Please let her say yes. I held my breath, sending up silent prayers.
Slowly, she nodded.
I worked to school my expression. My mom’s constant reminders to check in for consent, always, made me ask again.
“Yes, you’re good with having dinner with me?” I prayed for another nod.
Elle took a deep breath. “Yes.” She closed her eyes as she nodded. “Yes, dinner sounds good.” Long exhale. “God, I’m sorry. My mind is going in a million different directions.” She looked so uncertain, and I couldn’t stand it.
I took a step forward. Then another. I reached the spot where she leaned against the railing on the porch and stood in front of her, not touching, but close enough that I could smell her perfume. It smelled like salt air combined with the woods and hit me in the gut as uniquely Elle. I wanted to lean forward, burry my nose in the nape of her neck, and wrap her in my arms. She had to be getting cold. Controlling myself, I gently put my hand under her chin, tilting it up until her eyes met mine.
“Elle?”
“Yeah?”
I lost myself in her eyes. They were a caramel color with what appeared to be a freckle in one iris. God, they were beautiful.
“Sweetheart, there is nothing wrong with you.”
Elle’s eyes closed, then she looked back at me, not moving from our position. “Thanks for saying that, Nate. It’s been a day.” Her eyes fluttered shut as her tongue poked out and slid over her lips.
Damn. I knew she wasn’t doing that to be provocative, but I certainly felt it as my jeans began to get a bit snug.
As she titled her head, I considered that I’d do anything to be able to read her mind right now. The right corner of her lip slid under her teeth, and I prayed for willpower in my pants. Jesus, what this girl could do to me without realizing it.
“So you really are good with going to dinner with me?”
Laughter burst out, unbidden. “Did you not hear my comment earlier? I was down with the plan on that text message. And I am absolutely thrilled with the idea of dinner. But how about you? Those two inside seemed to have masterminded a date for us. Are you good with that?”
Elle seemed to stand up a little taller, though I still towered over her. “Yep, I’m good. Where do you want to eat?”
I gestured for her to go in front of me as we headed back into the library. “How about my place?”
Elle glanced back at me and paused. “Your place.”
“You bet.” I gestured for her to continue, and we moved past the circulation desk, rounding the corner, and headed to the table where Elle’s laptop and bag still resided. I noted Gabby and Ava were perched on chairs there, watching our approach with some amusement. All they needed was some popcorn.
“Proud of yourself?” I whispered to Gabby as Elle tossed the strap of her bag across her body, sliding the laptop inside.
Gabby watched Elle, then looked back to me. “You guys getting dinner together?”
I nodded.
Gabby’s grin was wide as she replied, “Then yes, I’m pretty proud of myself.”
“Damn straight.” Ava inserted herself into the conversation.
