Nina props her chin in her hand. “When are you seeing him again?”
“Tomorrow night,” I answer, trying not to sound as giddy as I feel. “He’s planning something but won’t tell me what.”
Willow’s mouth hints at a smile as she nods. “Mysterious. I like it.”
“Just make sure it doesn’t involve anything that can make you get hurt,” Nina adds.
“He’s not gonna put her in danger,” Willow says.
Aww, how sweet. She’s defending Jordan.
“I mean, at least not before he gets to sample the goods,” she adds.
So much for her being sweet.
“You need a new job,” I say, pressing my lips together in a reproachful way. “You’re starting to sound like all the dudes you work with.”
She shrugs. “If that means I get right to the point, I’m okay with it.”
“Do you have any idea where he might be taking you?” Nina asks.
I shake my head. “No, but knowing Jordan, it’ll be something fun. He’s full of surprises lately.”
Willow raises her wine glass. “To good surprises. And to Ginger finally getting laid.”
My gaze flicks to Nina in a silent message ofSee? Sounds like a dude.
We all clink glasses before sipping our wine. As the conversation drifts back to holiday plans and Christmas gift ideas, I keep thinking tomorrow night can’t come soon enough.
I love my shop and the steady stream of customers drifting in and out, but today felt like the longest day of my life. Every time I glanced at the clock, the hands seemed frozen in place. Even the scent of espresso, which usually is comforting for me, couldn’t quiet the restless flutters in my stomach.
Jordan texted me just after lunch with a single clue about our date—dress warm—no time, no place, no details. So I’ve spent the entire afternoon imagining possibilities. Is he taking me skating, or sledding, or maybe something completely unexpected?
Pops is having dinner at the neighbor’s, which makes things easier. There’s no need for me to invent an excuse about where I’m going or why I can’t stay and watchThree’s Companyreruns with him.
The moment Jordan’s truck pulls in the driveway, I’m out the door. My boots thump against the porch boards as I hurry toward the stairs. Even though I salted them earlier, I grip the railing tight. Once you’ve fallen on icy steps, you never forget it. Two winters ago, I went down hard, flat on my tailbone. I could barely sit down for a week, and it still aches sometimes.
Jordan meets me halfway up the driveway, his grin wide and his arms already open. When he pulls me in, my feet leave the ground, and I can’t stop the laugh that spills out of me. I lean down and press a quick kiss to his lips.
“I missed you today,” I say, breath puffing between us.
“I missed you too.” His voice is warm and rough in the chill of the air. “The dispensary was slammed. I spent all day buried in the back room under a mountain of new inventory.”
“Did you get it all sorted?”
“Mostly. Drew offered to help, which I’m pretty sure he regretted after the first hour, but it was nice to have an extra set of hands.” He rubs the tip of his nose over mine. “You ready for our mystery date?”
“As ready as I can be when I don’t know where we’re going or what we’re doing.” I narrow my eyes playfully. “Should I be scared?”
His lips spread into that lazy smile that always makes my heart trip over itself. “Only if you hate having fun.”
“Sounds like I’m safe then.”
He takes my hand and leads me around the front of his truck to the passenger side. He opens the door. “Hop in, Agent G Thang. Your mission awaits.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling as I climb inside the warm cab that smells like his cologne. I snap on my seat belt while he moves around the truck and gets behind the wheel. I’m looking forward to seeing exactly what he has planned for me.
The drive doesn’t take long, maybe fifteen minutes, and the farther we get from the shore, the darker it gets. I glance out the window, admiring the Christmas lights on the few houses we see.
