Page 6 of First Moon

Rhett and Madeleine were sitting together. He gave the thumbs-up. She gave me a slight smile, but the awed expression on her face was one I’d not seen before.

We exited the booth, and I excused myself to use the restroom. By the time I returned, the guys and Madeleine had already left for lunch. Only Jack, Hutch, and Marisol remained.

Jack seemed to be waiting for me, his back against a wall, arms crossed over his chest.

“You still here?” I asked.

“Can’t leave before I ask you something.” He took my hand and pulled me close. “Wanna go out to dinner with me tonight? I’ll take you to my favorite place in Nashville.”

“I love dinner.”

“Great. So do I. I’ll send a car for you. How’s six?”

“A car. How fancy.” I touched my fingertips to the collar of his shirt and looked up at him from under my lashes. “What should I wear?”

“Whatever makes you feel most like yourself.”

“You want me to show up in my birthday suit?” I asked.

His eyebrows raised as he placed a hand over his heart. “Good lord, pretty girl, you don’t want to give this old cowboy a heart attack on our first date. That would be a terrible story to tell our children.”

“We’re having children?”

“Maybe four or five. Depends.”

“Goodness. You’ll have to meet my mama and daddy before then. Regardless, I’ll wear my favorite sundress, so don’t you worry about your ticker.”

“You could bring your swimsuit. That’s almost like being in your birthday suit.”

“Does this restaurant have a pool?”

“We’re going to my house, and yes, I have a pool. I’m also a fantastic cook.”

“Jack Wilder, you know the way to my heart. I do love to eat.”

“What’s your favorite supper?”

I shook my head. “You won’t be able to make that.”

“Try me.”

“My mama’s chicken and dumplings. But don’t set yourself up for failure. I like a good burger too.”

“Challenge accepted. Chicken and dumplings it is.”

“The old-fashioned kind. Flat, not fluffy. The way they’re supposed to be made.”

“Flat, not fluffy. Got it.”

“I’ll see you later, then,” I said.

“Yes, ma’am. The car will be there at six.”

“Do you need my address?”

“That might be a good idea, yeah,” Jack said, chuckling. “You’ve got me so flustered, I’m losing my good sense.”

“Give me your phone,” I said. “I’ll put it in your contacts.”