Oliver clears his throat, his eyes traversing down to my mouth. “So, are you going to show me your secret talent?”
“Huh?” I ask.
He gestures toward the cherry stem I’m rolling between my fingers.
My cheeks burn.
“You don’t have to,” he adds quickly. “Unless, of course, you want to. In which case, please do, because truly, I am fascinated.”
I let out a giggle so high-pitched, I don’t even recognize the sound as my own.
“Sorry, but that’s something I reserve for a third or fourth date,” I say.
Oh. My. God. Am I…flirting?
“Well, I am nothing, if not committed to the cause,” he says with a laugh. “So, any chance you’d let me take you to dinner Wednesday? We could go to Antonio’s.”
What am I doing? This wasnotpart of the plan. This was supposed to be a one and done thing, but there’s something so freeing about being in Oliver’s presence that makes my heart feel lighter. It’s something I haven’t felt in…well, ever.
I smile, twirling my straw in my drink. “It’s a date.”
14
MJ
“I wonderif she’s having fun,” I say to Rose. It’s just after 9 p.m., and June Bug is snoozing between us on the couch. My sister has some reality show playing in the background. “Do you think she’s having fun?”
Rose is zeroed in on the TV. “I’m sure she is.” Her foot is out of the boot, and she’s got one flannel-covered leg propped up on the ottoman.
“I hope she’s having a good time,” I say, taking a sip from my mug of tea. “She must be having a good time, right? She’d be home by now if she wasn’t.”
“Mm-hmm,” she mumbles.
“Where do you think they went?”
Rose huffs and mutes the television. “Myra Jean, how am I supposed to find out if this delicious piece of man candy finds a wife if you won’t quit yammering?”
I pull my robe tighter around me. “Aren’t you even a little curious?”
“Of course I am, but until Lindsey gets back from her date, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
I drop my head against the back of the sofa and sigh. “You’re right.”
“Always am. It’s one of my most endearing qualities.”
“Yeah, okay.” I roll my eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get you some ice for your ankle?”
“I told you, I’m fine,” she says. “The swelling has gone down a lot, and I’m getting around a lot better. I’m going back home tomorrow.”
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” I ask. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”
“If I wasn’t nosy and dying to find out about Lindsey’s rendezvous with the hot firefighter, I would have left today.”
I swat her arm. “Gee, thanks.”
“Well, it’s true. I love you, and I would take a bullet for you,” she says, “but I donotwant to live with you or anyone else. Why the hell do you think I’m single?”
“You do like your space.”
