Page 28 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

I drop my bag, kicking off my shoes and placing them at the mat by the door. Inhaling deeply, I walk into the kitchen, examining the baking dish sitting on top of the stove. Sure enough, this is the real deal. Multiple cheeses melted into and mixed in with a roux, before folded over pasta and topped with breadcrumbs. A quick glance down at the counter reveals a loaf of bread and food processer, meaning these breadcrumbs are real, not store-bought. Fuck, yes.

“Milo, there is nothing just about mac ’n cheese. Especially real deal mac ’n cheese. I know you know it’s my fave. Especially if that’s Hayes mac ’n cheese.”

He laughs, the deep vibrato making my insides feel just as gooey as that cheese. “It is.”

Fuck, I have died and gone to heaven. Hayes mac ’n cheese, made by a sexy-as-sin Hayes man? Yeah…I’m done for.

“It was your first day at your first big girl job. I figured that was worth celebrating.” He gives me a wink, turning away from me to put the dish in the oven.

My first big girl job? Well then, if Milo’s going to talk to me the same way he and Brandt did when they took the training wheels off my bike, then I’d say seeing me naked is irrelevant. Thank goodness.

“Seriously? Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. I’m sure you had better things to do with your afternoon.”

Milo shrugs his tattooed left shoulder, stepping into me, winking again. My insides melt a little more. This is dangerous.

“I wanted to. You deserve it.”

I sigh, my heart grateful for not only the gesture, but how much he cares. I’m lucky to have him in my life.

“Also, I was thinking.”

“Uh-oh, that’s dangerous,” I quip.

Milo chuckles, stepping in closer, the gap between us now no more than a foot. My pulse kicks into high gear, his musky scent filling my nostrils. I don’t know if that’s his cologne or deodorant or some soap, but damn, he smells good. So good it might fry my brain.

“Whatcha doin’ Friday?”

Friday? Ummmm…

“Errr…ahhh…studying?” I hope that’s the right answer.

“Take a night off.”

“Any particular reason?”

A list of possible answers rushes through my mind. The most likely is that he needs my help again at Pour Decisions. Which, if that’s what he needs, he can consider it done. I’m not only happy to help, but it’s the least I can do since I’m squatting in his apartment all summer.

“I’m taking you out.”

Record scratch—he's what?

Milo must see the confusion register on my face, because he steps into me even more, this time, taking my hand.

“Let me start over. Brenna, would you like to go out with me on Friday?”

“Like a date?”

Like a date? Oh good gracious, who asks that? Like a date. Of course it’s not a date.

“Yes, like a date.”

I stand corrected.

“You want to take me on a date?” My voice squeaks, betraying me and my excitement.

Milo Hayes wants to take me on a date. Well, dear diary, your preteen fantasies are coming true.

“I was thinking about what you said yesterday⁠—”