Page 38 of Chalk It Up

“Aw well I would love that, I’m sure we’ll find more time another day to hang out. But you’ll only have the energy to hang out if you get some sleep now.” I coax as we both start moving out of our chairs.

“Yeah, I think you might be right.” Those words barely work their way out before she is struck with a yawn big enough she needs to stretch and now I’m yawning too even though I’m not tired.

“Looks like someone else needs to go to bed too.” August says with a wink while heading to us from the living room. He spent the time we were tutoring, reading a book, and drinking some tea. I definitely didn’t clock August as a reader or a tea drinker, and I love both of those new pieces of information.

“Hmm, you know. I think you might be right. Time for me to head straight home.” I attempt to dangle our time together in front of him, but then I remember he’s the one who drove me here.

“Sadly, I think you’re right.” Addie's head is ping ponging between us and it’s then I realize we really need to tone down the flirting. Kids are extremely intuitive, and while they may not always be able to put the right words to things, they can always sense the bigger picture and what it probably means. “Hey Ads, before we head to bed we need to take Ms. Jake home. Do you think you can handle a little car ride around the lake?”

“I get to see what Ms. Jake’s house looks like? What are we waiting for?” And suddenly all her energy is back and she is racing for August’s car. We laugh and shake our heads together and latch pinkies while we head to the car. Just the slightest touch that hopefully won’t be pegged by our tiny chaperone.

chapter 26

Evie

I’m throwing clothes around my room, deranged, while stress eating some Vermont sharp cheese squares. I’m suddenly extremely thirsty. Getting ready for a date is way more of a workout than it should be, and way more than any man will ever appreciate. I leave the clothes-tornado in my room and hunt through my fridge for a prebiotic soda. They say no sugar so I basically don’t feel guilty for drinking them. Not that I would anyway, all of my iced coffee is essentially dessert in a cup, and I never feel badly about those.

I pop open a strawberry-flavored and the swig I take instantly refreshes me. I don’t even want to walk back into my room because messes stress me out, but I did this to myself and I really need to get ready. August said to just dress comfortably. So I’m thinking pants and a nice top. I shoot him a quick text to double check anyway, and he immediately confirms that’s a good idea, but to not wear a shirt that’s too loose.

I opt for a high-waisted, cropped wide-leg pair of jeans with a simple black shirt tucked in, and a camel, wool blend overcoat that reaches down to the top of my black booties. I wouldn’t usually own a coat this expensive, but it was a college graduation gift to myself. I wanted something that was good quality and could be a staple piece in my wardrobe.

Content with my hair down and wavy, I send a picture to Thea for approval, and her response is immediate and enthusiastic. Usually I love to have Thea here in person for these kinds of things, and vice versa when she’s going out somewhere, but she said she had plans tonight too so we’re stuck texting each other affirmations.

In true August fashion, he’s at my front door to get me for our date. He’s already dropped Addie off at Ms. Wilma’s house and promises that Maple will be taken care of. August lives off the one highway out of our little town so we drop Maple off to have a playdate with his pups before heading out on our date.

“So are you going to give me any hints on what this mysterious date is going to be or is there a shovel in the back that you plan on using on me?” You would think that given my last surprise date and how it went that I would be a little apprehensive to go on another one, but I trust August so implicitly that the anxiety never comes.

He gives the sweetest chuckle. “No, no shovels. I promise. And do you want to know so you have time to mentally prepare for whatever it’s going to be or are you being overly enthusiastic and just want to know?” He chides with a joking tone.

He reaches over and sets his hand on top of my thigh and I place my hand comfortably on top of his. I’m tempted to roll down the window in the near freezing temperatures so the butterflies in my stomach have a place to escape.

“Maybe a little bit of both. Can you blame a girl? I’m just so excited that we get to spend time together actually doing something. Assuming we’re doing something.”

He chuckles back and stares at me just long enough before it becomes dangerous while driving. My stomach responds to his piercing green eyes with a prominent swoop. “We’re definitely doing something, Princess. Hopefully it’s something you’ll enjoy. I find it challenging, therapeutic, and a workout.”

“Well…if that’s our date, I don’t think we had to leave town for that.”

“You’re too much, Evie.” He jokes lightheartedly. “And no, that is not our date. We’re going to work up an appetite going axe throwing and then I have dinner reservations.” He glances over at me cautiously, attempting to read my expression. “Does that sound good?”

“I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to! That sounds amazing! Thank you for planning this. And very impressive you got reservations the night before.”

“Well, I do wish I had more time to plan the date, but I think this will be enjoyable for our first one. And a last minute reservation is no problem.” He says that last part with a little smirk and I’m wondering how much he had to pay off the restaurant to make room for us.

After about thirty minutes we enter the next town over and pull into the axe throwing bar’s parking lot. The building looks exactly like it belongs in the small mountain town. It’s designed like a log cabin, smells like it was built in the 1800’s, and I’m absolutely obsessed with it. August checks us in, signs us up on the bar’s score keeping app, and gets us over to our station.

“So you’ve never done this before, right?” August questions while bringing us over a couple of drinks. Neither of us drinks alcohol and I’m a sucker for a good Shirley Temple so that’s what he brought me. He looks like he’s properly indulging in an Arnold Palmer.

“Nope. Not once.” I take a sip of my Shirley Temple and its pure perfection. Probably the crispiest, cherry drink I’ve ever had. I’d be willing to drive thirty minutes out of town for another one of these frosty bad boys.

“Is it safe to assume you’ll need a little help?” His wink and smirk come out together to play on his face again causing me to get all jittery with excitement.

“How gentlemanly of you and with absolutely no ulterior motives.” I gently shove at his arm. “I think I will need help figuring it out. ‘Poor little ol’ me. Just a damsel in distress who needs the muscular, outdoorsy, billionaire to help me hold an axe so I don’t accidentally chop my foot off.’” I tease in my fakest southern drawl.

“Nice to know you think I’m muscular.” He playfully pops a kiss on my cheek. I do a little skip run as he leads me to the rack of axes in our station. “Do you want to throw with one hand or two?” August picks one of the axes up from the rack and hands it to me. I’m actually not a damsel in distress, but this has me a little concerned. What if I pull back to throw it, lose my grip and it flies back, and everyone jumps in a circle like the little people in Wii bowling?

“Umm, the more hands the better feels like the safer option here. Less room for error.”

“Ok great, well, let’s get your grip correct.” August moves to stand flush behind me and every bit of DNA in my body is on high alert and I’m instantly flushed. “Your dominant hand is your right hand, correct? I’ve seen you write with it when you’re with Addie.” I wonder if the worms in the dirt are having fun playing with the bar that is so low because August noticing which hand I write with has me swooning.