Page 31 of Lucky 22

“What?” I’m certain my eyes are comically wide as I sputterand stammer and try to think of something to say.

Christian nods. “Come with me,” he says in earnest. “I knowit’s a little crazy.”

“Ya think?” I ask with a nervous laugh. “Christian, I…Idon’t know. I mean…I want to say yes, but we just met. And I’m really anold-fashioned kind of girl. I’m not sure I’m comfortable staying in a hotelwith a man I barely know.”

“I would get you your own room. And I don’t expect anything,you know, in return. I just really hate the idea of leaving when we just foundeach other.”

Oh, my goodness. My heart is seriously going to beat rightout of my chest.

I want to be impulsive. I want to say yes. For most of my life,I’ve acted on impulse because I believed in whatever I wanted to do. But this?

This isn’t a role in a play, a commercial, or a TV show.

This is real. And it has the potential to ruin somethingreally great if we don’t think things through.

I should lead with my head, not my heart, shouldn’t I?

Taking both his hands in mine, I stare at them. I memorizethe way they feel, even as I let out a shaky breath. I can’t believe I’m goingto be logical about this.

“I love that you want me to go with you,” I tell him.Slowly, my gaze meets his. “But I can’t do it. I’m sorry.”

His disappointment is palpable. “Oh.”

“We’re still going to make it work. I promise. We’ll talkevery day. And with any luck, it will only be a few weeks.”

Mentally, my fingers are crossed.

“Are you sure? I don’t expect you to just sit around andwait for me to come back from Arizona. I’m sure you have guys practicallybanging down your door. I mean…look at you. You’re beautiful.”

And there are those butterflies. Right on cue.

“You think I’m beautiful?” My voice is so soft, I’m sure hecan barely hear me, but he must because he nods. That boyish grin of his meltsmy heart.

“I do,” he whispers as he begins to slowly close thedistance between us. When his lips are just a breath away from mine, he pauses.“Is it okay if I kiss you, Ella Rose?”

All I can do is nod.

Then his lips gently touch mine. It’s so much better thanthe first kiss because it lingers and goes a bit deeper. It’s the kind of kissyou sink into but are in no rush to end.

I know it will.

But I’m going to savor it while I can.

Chapter Six

Sunday morning, I’m lying in bed with my cup of tea.

It’s pit-tea party time.

Right now, Christian is on his way to the stadium for anafternoon game, and immediately afterward, he’s headed to the airport with anopen-ended ticket. I know it’s a good thing for him, but selfishly, I want thetrainer to be here in LA so we don’t have to say goodbye.

“Knock, knock,” Jen says from outside my bedroom door. “CanI come in?”

“That depends. Do you have waffles?” I ask miserably.

“No, but I have giant chocolate chip muffins. Andcheesecake.”

Now she has my attention.