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So why were his hands sweating?
He ran his hands through his hair and sat back down, getting ready to focus again. It was five-thirty and he wanted to finish his work and go home to freshen up before he met Alissa at The Crab. He made it through his final tasks by six and gathered his things.
“Wow, you made it through the day without burning down the whole office,” Josie teased.
The back of Dane’s neck heated up, but he feigned innocence. “What do you mean?”
Josie raised an eyebrow at him. “Dane.”
He shrugged his coat on. “Okay, you’re right. I’ve been a bit of a klutz today. It’s Monday.”
“True, true.” Josie glanced to the corner of her computer screen. “And you’re heading out early on top of that.”
“Yeah, I’m just going home to freshen up.” He tucked his hand into his pocket and started to meander toward the door.
“Freshen up and go where?” Josie sat forward on the edge of her seat, her smile broadening.
Dane knew Josie wasn’t going to let this go, so he said, “I’m going out for dinner with Alissa, but not like a date. We’re just talking about writing. It’s no big deal.”
He expected her to continue with her good-natured ribbing, but to his surprise, Josie’s expression sobered. “Ah.”
“What is it?”
“It’s just that Alissa is special. It’s not every day that someone comes into your life who can change your perspective,” Josie said.
Josie was right. Not only had his actual work gotten easier since Alissa was such a fantastic writer, but it hadn’t felt like drudgery like before. Finding news wasn’t like pulling teeth anymore, and the small town things that had bothered him before, like everyone knowing who you were, weren’t as bothersome either. She had even changed his mind and convinced him to step out of his comfort zone.
Dane could only shrug in response—putting those feelings into words wasn’t easy.
“I’m just saying that Alissa has inspired you to loosen up a bit,” Josie continued. When she saw Dane open his mouth to respond, she held up a finger. “Even if you’re trying to pretend she hasn’t, I can tell she’s made an impact on you. I’ve seen your change up close and personal, Dane.”
Dane checked the time, his stomach doing flips inside of him. “I have to get going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you. Have a great night.”
* * *
Alissa left work a little early, her stomach fluttering the entire commute back to Literary Stays. So many unknowns were in front of her this evening—Caitlin’s makeover and her dinner with Dane— and she couldn’t wait to see how they panned out.
She went upstairs to her room and found Caitlin inside, standing next to the bed with a pile of dresses stacked up on it. Her desk was equally covered in makeup and accessories, a pile of shoes on the floor. Most of these clothes were Caitlin’s.
“Um… hi?” Alissa said, stopping in the doorway.
“Hi!” Caitlin brightened up more than she had most of the trip. “I’m glad you’re back. I think I know what direction I’m going to take your makeover. I even did some shopping. There are so many cute little boutiques around here.”
“A whole makeover?” Alissa put her canvas tote bag down. “I thought you were just going to help me get dressed up.”
“Same difference.” Caitlin waved her hand as if to dismiss Alissa.
“You really don’t have to go through all this trouble.” Alissa picked up a dress. “Wait, you bought this for me?”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll take it. A perk of being a twin—what fits me, fits you.” Caitlin plucked the dress from her hands and held it up to Alissa. “Same with makeup. I didn’t see any in the bathroom. Did you bring any?”
“I don’t really wear it most days.” Alissa shrugged. “But seriously, you don’t have to do all this. I’ll put on a little makeup and a dress and it’ll be fine.”
Caitlin sighed and rested a hand on her hip. “No offense, but you look like Skeeter fromThe Help.”
Alissa laughed. “How is that an offense? Emma Stone is beautiful.”
