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I knock on Lex’s door with a wide smile. Excitement moves through me. I wanted tonight to be special, but due to the time, a restaurant in Hartville was the best choice.
Hartville isn’t a tiny town, having a lot more options than other small towns I’ve visited, but it’s not like New York, where restaurants are open late, and you can find something to eat at any hour of the night.
We’re going back to Monroe’s, where I first saw her at Toby’s engagement party. I hope to make up for that reunion.
“Hey,” Lex says when she opens the door.
I stare at her in silence, my eyes sweeping up and down her body. She’s wearing a black and white floral long-sleeved short dress and thigh-high black boots.
“Aren’t you going to be cold?” Not the best opening, Hudson.
“I’ve got tights on and a coat.” She smiles and reaches behind the door and pulls out a long black wool coat and scarf.
“Okay, good.” I nod. Nerves cast a spell on me, muting me as if it were our first date ever. All my confidence has slipped away upon seeing her like a traveler in the desert when he reaches an oasis only to realize it’s a mirage. Yeah, my confidence right now is as real as that mirage.
“Are you okay?” Her eyebrows pull together as she looks at me.
“Yup.” I nod. “You just look stunning, and I forgot words.”
Lex lets out a throaty laugh. She shakes her head and steps out the door, locking it.
“Come on, smooth operator.”
I reach for her hand, kissing the top of it. “You do look beautiful. I was so confident here, and then I saw you, and I don’t know…” I shake my head. “You took my breath away.”
“You look handsome, too.” Her smile is flirty.
“Thanks.” I open the car door for her, starting to regain my composure. Once I’m in the car and pulling out of her driveway, I feel like myself again.
“How was your day?”
“It was good. I’m working double with planning my workshop for the conference, but it’s all worth it.”
I glance over at her quickly and see her smile is wider.
“That’s exciting. You’re talking about running your own studio, right?” I turn left and head toward Monroe’s.
“Yeah.” Lex shifts in her seat. “I’m also teaching a choreographed routine. It has to be something simple enough to teach in three days, but that leaves an impression. I hope this opportunity expands my business and helps my students get their name out there for their future.”
“I’m sure it will. You’ve always been talented.”
“Thank you.” She bends her head, her long hair falling from behind her ear and covering part of her face. Blindly, I reach and put it behind her ear. I may be driving, but I still want to see glimpses of her gorgeous face.
“How was your day?” Lex doesn’t comment on my move, but I felt her shiver.
“It was good. Same ole, same ole, to be honest. Although, I did take Hope and Toby to look at some houses.”
“How did that go?” The leather in my car creaks when she shifts.
“It was okay. They haven’t found something they love yet, but I’m hopeful that we’ll find something after the holidays. The Hartville housing market is tricky.” I stop at a red light and look at Lex. Her face glows from the street lights shining in through the car window.
“I’m sure they will.” Her eyes scan my face, and I wonder what thoughts are crossing her mind.
“The light’s green,” Lex says, breaking our contact. “Where are we going, by the way?”
“Monroe’s,” I smirk at her.
“Risky,” her voice holds a hint of amusement.
