Page 80 of The Golden Scoop

“Hey, Mills,” Matt calls. “Can I ask you something?”

I pause, hand still on the handle, and turn back.

“Depends,” I say cautiously. “Is it going to annoy me?”

“Probably.”

I nod. “My favorite. Go ahead.”

He hesitates long enough to make me nervous.

“Tom,” he starts, “are you⁠—”

“Just friends,” I cut in immediately.

It comes out faster than I intend, like I’ve been waiting to say it. Which, yeah, maybe it’s been eating at me for a few days.

Matt studies me for a second. Either he doesn’t believe me, or he’s once again decided not to go through with what he was going to say. I can practically see in his eyes the moment he almost backs out.

But then, he doesn’t.

“Can I take you out to dinner?”

I blink. “What?”

“Dinner,” he tries again, a bit more firmly now. “Nothing sketchy. No hiding. Matt and Emma. For real.”

Okay. That I did not expect.

Because—what?

“You’re asking me out,” I repeat slowly, “on an actual date.”

“Don’t make it weird.”

“You’re making it weird,” I shoot back.

“Can you just say yes?” he says. There’s something a little boyish in his tone now, borderline shy. A little hopeful. “Please?”

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth before I can stop it.

“Yes, Matthew,” I answer. “I’ll bring my torture tools.”

His eyes drop to my lips and back up in a split second.

“You’d be surprised,” he says quietly, “with how much you torture me already without the need for any tools.”

Oh.

“That’s…” I swallow, but my throat’s suddenly so dry I don’t think I can speak. “Good to know.”

“Yeah. So how about we start with those overalls of yours?”

Dinner tonight was not what I was expecting when Matt asked me out. No time like the present, he said before telling me I had half an hour to shower and change into my overalls which are apparently a must.

He picks me up right on time, having changed into some navy blue pants and a creamed-colored shirt, half buttoned. The sun’s down, yet the air is humid and prickly. Still, I’d bet he dressed like that to get under my skin.

It’s working.