Page 61 of Love in Overdrive

Or maybe she needed to branch out into a new genre. She'd started reading a self-help book a few months ago. It sat half-read on her night stand.

Ugh! Romance had always been her go-to read. Did independent women believe in happily ever after? The end of her marriage rattled her confidence in love and romance. The only thing keeping her belief afloat were relationships like her parents and her sister’s. They were rock solid.

Her phone rang. Shoot, she’d forgotten to check in. “Hi, Mom. Yes, I got home fine.”

“Good. I worry. I’m making meatloaf tonight if you want to come for dinner.”

She shuddered. “Thanks, Mom, but I’m staying in tonight.”

“Okay. See you Sunday.”

Laney ended the call, and Cade’s message notification popped up on the top of her screen. She still hadn’t answered him. She looked at the phone in her hand. Maybe if she stared at it long enough, it would magically make the decision for her.

Could she spend time with him and not fall for him? She enjoyed his company. He made her laugh, and she felt sexy around him. That alone had her hovering a finger over the screen.

Maybe they could be friends? Friends with benefits would be okay. Get it together, Laney. They’d just met. No way Cade was laboring over these things. So why was she?

Before she could second-guess herself more, she texted him her address and said, “See you at six.”

Laney held her breath as three dots appeared on the screen. She gripped her midsection and waited. Jitters danced behind her fingers. Easy, girl. You got this. Just a nice evening with a nice man. A sexy man. But it didn’t have to mean anything, certainly not forever. No sirree. Just friends, no lasting attachments. She was a self-reliant woman, she reminded herself for the tenth time that day, praying it worked.

A text bubble appeared on the screen. See you then.

The jitters spread like wildfire from her core to the tips of her fingers and toes. Laney jumped up and rushed up the stairs to shower, shave, and pick out the perfect outfit.

Yup. Just friends.

Cade sat in the truck, his knee bouncing. He tore his attention from the cute little house to check the time. Five to, close enough. He hadn’t been this early for anything in years. Not since his mission days. Only a smitten fool would show up this early for a first date. That’s why he drove around the block a couple of times before he parked.

Grabbing the takeout bag, he slid from the truck. It hadn’t taken long to pick up a couple of burgers and fries from the café. He may have stopped at the store for some condoms, just in case.

Cade flexed his hand before ringing the doorbell. His nerves jumped like a kid on a cotton candy binge.

The door opened, and Cade held his breath. She looked amazing in faded jeans and a snug blue T-shirt that brought out the colors in her eyes. Her hair was down, and she had on very little makeup, maybe some mascara and lip gloss.

Looking at her, he couldn’t say she dressed up for his visit. She looked so soft and natural. He couldn’t imagine her looking any better.

“Come on in.” She smiled shyly and opened the door wider.

Don’t overthink it. After a brief, internal peptalk, Cade went with his gut. He leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips. Just a quick taste before he entered the house.

Delicious. Later, if she was up for it, he’d sample more of her delightful flavors.

“I hope you like cheeseburgers and fries. I stopped by the café on the way.” He followed her to the kitchen and set the bags down on the table.

“Sounds great. I had lunch there with my mom today, but I went for the grilled cheese and soup.” She turned from him and grabbed plates and silverware. He detected a hint of nervousness in her voice.

She returned to the table, and he pulled a two-liter of Mountain Dew out of the bag. “That’s my favorite.”

“I know. You told me.” A look of surprise and pleasure came over Laney’s face. It pleased Cade to see it. The gesture relaxed her as well. He couldn’t have planned it better if he tried.

“Where did you go to college?” he asked as they sat to eat. There was so much more he wanted to know about her.

“The University of Minnesota. You?” Laney moved to the refrigerator for more ketchup.

“I didn’t. I joined the Army right after high school.”

“Right.” She blushed. “Where were you stationed?”