Page 44 of Changing Lanes

Glaring across the table at each other, neither of us want to be the first to break. So, I do it for her. “Yes, Torrie, let’s talk soon. Maybe, dinner?”

She practically sneers at me when she answers, “Let’s. Tonight. Say, seven?” Surprising the hell outta me.

“Sounds good. Do you want to pick the place?” I ask her to be polite.

She shakes her head with her answer. “No. Not my town.”

“Alright, I’ll make reservations.” She nods her agreement, then she knocks me over. “Your number?”

What the fuck? “Oh, yeah. Let me just send that to you.” Spinning her paperwork around, I use her contact information to text her my number.

She acknowledges it with a nod. “Got it. Just text me the directions. Thank you.” She’s out the door before I can say another word, like—can I pick you up.

“Text her,” Hardy says from across the room.

“Huh?” I ask, still dazed by the fact Torrie agreed to dinner with me.

“To pick her up. We know where she lives, be there and text her you’re outside waiting.” Fucking genius.

“Thank you.” I high five him on my way out the door.

I call Mom on my way to pick up Ava, to let her know I’ll be going out tonight. Taking into consideration that Torrie loves surf and turf, I make reservations in a nearby town. Boundary House is in Calabash; it’s outta the way which is great for conversations.

I’m nervous as hell when I stop by the gates to her rental. She may yell at me for being presumptuous. Taking a few deep breaths, I steady my hand enough to send her a text.

I’m at the gate. I wait.

Here? At my place? She replies.

Yes. You ready? I ask.

I am. I’ll buzz you in, third house on the left. Thanks to Hardy, I already knew that.

Okay. I’m trying to be cool, not nervous.

She walks toward my car, breathtaking. Her hair trailing down her back, biting her lip as she glances at me. Her ivory, backless skater dress falls mid-thigh, showcasing her gorgeous, tanned legs. Her nude heels need to be draped over my shoulders later.

She looks so much better than my dream. She was mine last night, one of the best dreams ever. Only in my dream, I was about to fuck her brains out. Damn, do dreams come true? My senses come to me, and I get out and open her door.

“This is not a date, I could’ve opened my own door. Thank you.” Back to business.

“Torrie, I’m a man. I have manners and will use them as much as possible. Please, allow me.” That dress will be the death of me. Thank God, I had enough good sense to drive my mom’s car. If she had to climb in my truck with it, we’d both been fucked.

Closing my door, I glance over at her. She’s sitting with her hands in her lap as if she’s scared to be with me. I chuckle. “I promise you, I know how to drive.”

“I know.” She’s curt. Yeah, she’s nervous.

“The restaurant is about fifteen minutes away, I hope you still like surf and turf.” Glancing at her, I smile when his head jerks toward mine.

“You remember that?” she questions.

“I do. I remember everything,” I reply as I chance a look at her. She nods, turning her head to look out the window.

Arriving at the restaurant, I park and insist on opening her door. I extend my hand, silently asking for hers. She places her fingertips in my hand and plants her feet on the ground before stepping from the car. Naturally, I place my hand on the small of her back. She flinches, then relaxes when I brush her ear with my lips. “You’re perfect.”

She turns her head to me, smiling. “You’re not so bad either, country boy.” Then she adds a wink. Damn.

We’re seated, and I place an order for a bottle of Groth Cabernet Sauvignon. Torrie’s eyes grow wide as she raises an eyebrow. I smirk. “Did you forget so easily?”