Page 66 of Finding My Charming

“I don’t know how you’d feel about it though.” He glanced down at me briefly before looking away again.

“What do you mean?”

“That date that you went on? Are things serious with him?” He suddenly seemed unsure. Maybe even a little self-conscious.

I shook my head, trying to understand. The date with Vincent? I haven’t even thought of him since this afternoon’s meltdown. Is he really interested in my relationship status?

“No.” I wanted to say we were just friends, or that it was a one-time thing, but I couldn’t. I honestly didn’t know what we were, but as of this moment, we definitely didn’t fit into the serious category.

A sly grin stretched across his lips, and I couldn’t help but smile with him.

“Then I know how you can thank me for my superior generosity and manly abilities.”

I laughed with him. “What do you have in mind?”

“How about a surprise? Tomorrow?”

I pretended to think about it, but my insides were in knots. He wants to go out with me? Tomorrow? I might just die here in the middle of the street.

“I think I can do that.”

His beautiful smile grew and finally reached his eyes. “Great. Can I get your number? I’ll text you for your address tonight.”

I nodded and repeated the numbers before sliding into my seat for the second time.

He leaned against the open door, not allowing me to leave yet. “Drive safe, Elle.”

I couldn’t even attempt to hide the enormous smile his words caused. “Bye, Dallin.”

He gently shut the door and stepped back, and I finally pulled away. I watched him in my rearview mirror until I had to turn. Once he was out of sight, I let out a squeal followed by a full-fledged scream. The plan had worked a thousand times better than I could have ever dreamed. He’d taken my number and was going to pick me up tomorrow for a date! I couldn’t believe that had actually just happened!

I called Ari, and we talked and screamed the rest of my drive home. She and I both believed everything happened for a reason, so she was spewing off every possible outcome, including my upcoming wedding.

After the long, emotional day I’d had, this was exactly what I needed. This was happiness.

After I ate dinner and avoided any conversations with my mom, I sprawled out on my bed reading, and my phone went off. An unknown number had sent me a message. My hand was shaking when I reached for it and unlocked the screen. It was Dallin! He’d actually followed through. I’d known deep down that he would, but after more than three hours had passed, I was beginning to doubt, just a little.

I sent him my address and was hoping he would start a conversation, but instead, he told me to be dressed comfortably and to be ready at ten in the morning. I stared at my screen, confused. Most romantic dates didn’t start in the a.m. or with comfortable clothes. I was analyzing this when another text came in.

Wear a bathing suit?

What on earth does he have planned?

If we were going to the beach or a lake, he would have just said to wear a suit. The comfortable clothes were really throwing me off.

Before I could analyze this to death, I called Ari for her opinion.

“Did he text you?”

I laughed at her greeting. She didn’t even bother saying hello.

“Yeah. He’s coming to get me at ten.”

“Tonight? That’s a little late for a respectable woman like you to go out with a guy you barely know.”

I laughed even harder. She made me sound like a harlot. “No! Ten in the morning.”

“That should be illegal! It’s a Saturday. No girl should be expected to be date-worthy before five on a weekend.”