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I shift a bit closer to her, watching her for signs she’s going to pull away. “Not so different really.”
She snorts and takes a lick of her ice cream which does very naughty things to my nether regions. I try to focus.
“Well I’m really glad you’ll never see inside my house and my fridge to see just how different.”
Is that her feeling insecure? I hate that, but I can’t think of what to say. Instead, I indulge my curiosity—probably an unwise move. “What’s this about you always wanting to talk to me, then?”
She colors and presses her lips together, dropping eye contact. “Nothing.”
I stare. “Is this—are you embarrassed?” I’m grinning. I can’t help myself.
She only scowls more. “No.”
“You are!”
Mel’s scowl turns into the same sort of fierce glare she directed at Damian moments ago and she gets up from the sofa. “It’s unkind of you to mention it, then.” She goes to hand me the ice cream, but I stop her, my hand over hers.
“Mel. I’m sorry. Don’t be embarrassed. The truth is I’m feeling the same way. I didn’t bring it up yet because of the election and well, I wasn’t sure if you would.”
She blinks up at me. Now we’re standing, she’s forced to tilt her head back to look up at me and I’m very aware of all the places our bodies aren’t quite touching. “You are?”
I nod. “Have been for a while. Couldn’t you tell? I can’t stop thinking about you. I message you all the time. Christ, I’d book you every night, if you’d let me.”
Her expression shuts off a little and I correct myself.
“No. That’s not true. Because what I want—what I really want—is not to book you. I want to ask you on a date. I don’t know if that’s allowed. But that’s what I’d like.”
“You want to ask me on a date?” She stares up at me and my heart thuds in my chest. She still hasn’t said yes.
“Is that allowed?”
A little smile creeps onto her face and then she looks like she’s considering it. “Perhaps.”
She hasn’t noticed the ice cream she’s holding is melting as we stand and look at each other. I reach out to swipe a drop from the edge with my thumb and bring it to my mouth. Her eyes follow the movement as I lick the sweet, cold flavor from my finger. Her mouth parts, so I let my tongue dart out further than necessary to remind her how long it is and how much she likes it.
I’m rewarded with an indrawn breath. Mel steps nearer. She still hasn’t answered my question.
“Go on a date with me? Because I’m free tonight...” It’s stupid. I should be waiting, but she’s right here, and I can’t deny that’s all I’ve wanted these past weeks.
She bites her lip. “The kids.”
We both look around to where they both sit on the sofa grinning back at us.
Mel slaps a hand over her face and steps away. “We’re going.”
“Don’t go.” I try to catch her hand, but she pulls away.
“We’re going, but I’ll give you my number and you can call later, OK?”
I beam at her. “Deal.”
