Page 70 of Only You

“Are you asking me on a friend date?” she questioned.

“Yes. We’ll go ice skating, grab some lunch, and pop into Barnes and Noble.”

Kayla slapped her hand over her chest. “Be still, my heart. You know how much I love bookstores.”

Jack smiled widely, glad he’d suggested it. “Is that a yes?”

“It’s a yes with conditions.”

He’d expected this. “Lay it on me.” Or lay yourself on me. That would be even better.

“If this is truly a friend date, that means no touching, hand holding, or kissing.”

“I accept your conditions with one minor change.”

“What is it?”

“I’m allowed to touch you if it prevents you from falling on your ass.”

Kayla laughed, and the joyful sound and her accompanying smile lit up the room. “I accept,” she said. “Now, I really have to go or I’ll be late for my first appointment.”

“You … Late?”

She rolled her eyes. “Goodbye, Jack.” She swept past him and went out of the kitchen.

“Mark your calendar for our date tomorrow,” he called after her.

“Friend date,” she corrected him.

“Right,” he muttered as the door closed behind her.

Jack filled a travel mug with coffee, grabbed a granola bar, and left for work. He was deep in thought about tomorrow’s date, when his phone rang, and Eileen’s name appeared on the Bluetooth. “Hey, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. Am I getting you at a bad time?”

“No. I’m just driving to work.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yeah. Why?”

Eileen sighed. “I felt so bad about last night. I had to call you this morning.”

“It’s okay, Mom. Don’t worry about it.” If Eileen hadn’t popped in, he and Kayla might have had sex last night, or at the very least, continued their heated make-out session on the couch. He’d replayed the scene at least a dozen times since then.

“I could tell I interrupted something,” Eileen persisted.

Jack didn’t want her to feel bad, but he was tired of lying. He’d done enough of that to last a lifetime. “You sort of did interrupt, but it’s okay.”

“It won’t happen again. Next time, I’ll call first.”

His phone beeped, and Ryan’s name appeared on the screen. “I’m getting another call, Mom. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” After they hung up, he greeted Ryan. “Hey. What’s up?”

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Ryan asked.

“I have a date. Why?”

“With Kayla?”