“Thanks.” Forty-five minutes later, or maybe it was a millennium, everything was folded up with colorful tissue paper and placed inside equally colorful bags.
“I’m happy to help, sugar. And if you want to do a post-date dissection over lunch, I am totally available.” Her voice went up at the end, like it was a question and I recognized that look and that tone. It was half hopeful, but still anticipating rejection. That look, and the feeling that accompanied it, sucked. Big time.
“How about just lunch with no date dissection?” Whatever happened tonight, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be ready to talk about it tomorrow. Or ever, maybe.
“Oh, fine. Reese’s place? That girl cooks a mean barbecue,” she shook her head, sounding every bit the southern belle she was.
“Sounds good. I’ll stop by and we can walk there together, all right?”
Her smile bloomed this time, and I grabbed my purchases and darted out of the shop before Mikki herded me back into the fitting room to try on more dresses. “Enjoy your evenin’ enough for the both of us.” She gave a knowing wink and waved, leaving my skin flushed and my stomach nervous as hell about my date tonight.
With my best friend.
Heaven help me.
##
“Uh, hey.” I opened the door at exactly 7:27 to find Jase standing on my doorstep, wearing an unstoppable grin and holding flowers. And candy. “Oh, Turtles are my favorite!” I snatched the box of chocolates from his hand and stepped back to examine my loot. The sweet, sticky caramel covering the pecans was enough to make my mouth water, but the fact that Jase had also gotten dark and milk chocolate was enough to turn those platonic butterflies into something a bit more erotic. “The flowers are great, too. Thanks.” I took another step back and motioned for Jase to enter, but he just stood there. Staring.
Eventually, I grew self-conscious and began to second-guess this whole date thing. “What is it? Do I have a stain on my dress or something in my teeth?” Neither was possible, because I’d checked the mirror at least two dozen times while I’d gotten ready. And three more times as I scrambled to open the door for him.
“No, there’s nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing at all.” Something in his tone made me look at his face carefully, and the look he wore stole my breath. “You look fucking incredible, Bo. That dress really…” He grinned and shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but that dress makes you look crazy hot.”
Crazy hot. That was a compliment, right? “Um, thanks?”
A deep laugh erupted out of him. “Yeah, it’s a compliment.” Jase laughed again at the flush of pink that stole over me and twirled his index finger in a circle. “Come on, indulge me.”
I can’t remember a single time in my life when I had ever twirled in a dress for someone, but Jase’s playful smile made me want to, so I did. I mean, I felt silly as hell, but I couldn’t deny it was a compliment that I felt all the way down to my bones. And in my girly parts, because the dark look he wore as I turned in several circles had my nipples going hard and fiery tingles skittering up and down my spine. It was heavy, like a caress.
“Happy?” My tone was grumpier than it should have been, but he just grinned.
“Extremely. I get to look at you all night.” Who was this charming man and what had he done with my best friend, who never issued a compliment without masking it behind a joke?
“With those sweet words, you’d think you were gonna get lucky tonight.” Ugh! Did I just say that? I resisted the urge to smack both hands over my big mouth and motioned, once more, for Jase to enter to distract him.
It was his turn to flush and try to hide it behind the big bouquet of multi-colored tulips, and I took advantage of the moment to study him. Jase was good-looking, had been since he’d first started showing signs of becoming a man at age fifteen. Today, in jeans and a green and brown shirt that stretched across his chest like a lover sprawled in post-coital bliss, he looked even better. His eyes glittered like emeralds, so bright and shiny and beautiful. “I don’t think I’ll have any complaints about the view tonight, either.”
His cheeks turned pink again and I laughed before turning to grab my shoes and the tiniest purse I’d ever seen, courtesy of Mikki, while Jase busied himself with… something. “I brought them in a vase ‘cause I wasn’t sure if you had one.”
I didn’t, and we both knew it. “Thanks. Ready?” I stood by the door, waiting. Expectantly. But Jase stood in the hall about five feet from me, staring. Again. “Eyes back in your head, playboy.”
He snickered. “Oh, they’re in my head, all right. You have no idea.” His tone said he was thinking about something he shouldn’t, but then again, this was supposed to be a date which meant he should absolutely be thinking about doing dirty things to me. Right?
“I might have some,” I admitted quietly as he helped me into the passenger seat of his SUV and I watched him jog around the front, admiring his long, wide frame. “So, where are we going?”
A slow grin spread from ear to ear as he slid a quick glance my way before turning back to focus on the road ahead. He still hadn’t answered my question, but I knew by the way his lips quirked that he was trying to keep a secret.
“I know you’re not a fan of being the center of attention,” he began, hands moving swiftly over the steering wheel as he navigated the long path that led from my cabin to the road into Tulip.
“That would be a massive understatement.” I’d been the center of attention plenty growing up, thanks to dear old dad and his love of the bottle. I was thirteen the first time I’d gotten the call that he was too blasted to drive, as if there was anything I could do about it from the ranch. After that, I’d spent hours after school teaching myself to drive, with Jase’s help. “I’ve had more than my fair share of the spotlight, thanks.”
“I know, and in that dress, no one would ever be able to take their eyes off you. So, I have something special planned.” His hand went to my knee when I froze at his words. “Stop worrying, you’ll like it. I promise.”
I relaxed, because Jase was one of the few people I did trust, and turned my attention to the world outside. “I’ll withhold judgment until I see where we’re going.”
He barked out a laugh, letting the steering wheel run through his fingertips swiftly and smoothly. “That’s one of the things I love about you, Bo: your ability to find a reason to doubt everything.”
“It’s not doubt, just consider it a healthy dose of skepticism. That’s all. Besides, I’m not worried—if dinner sucks, I have a big box of Turtles waiting for me at home.”
“As if there’s even a remote chance this date will suck.” He emphasized the word as a not-so-subtle reminder that this wasn’t just two friends having dinner.
As if I could ever forget that. “Why does this date need to be special?” Maybe this was something Jase did for all of his dates, and I really shouldn’t get all worked up about it.
Jase sighed and turned those green eyes on me at a stop sign. “Why? Because I want to make sure you remember this date, and so that you know I’m serious about what I said about us.”
Us. There was that word again. Us. It was a loaded word that signified something like togetherness, and that was a little too close to family. To partners. I didn’t have any of that. I had friends, sure, but my circle was small—tiny, even. But the idea of me and Jase being an us did have a certain appeal, because I trusted him. I liked him. Hell, he was one of the few people I actually gave a damn about. That I loved.
“We’re here.”
“Here” was Jase’s house. It was the same red and white duplex where he’d grown up, only now Jase occupied the first level and Nate the second. “You cooked?”
He barked out a laugh. “I guess a trip to the emergency room would be memorable, but no. I like you too much to cook for you, Bo. Don’t move.”
I snorted at that sort-of compliment as Jase walked around the car to open my door. “Yeah, right. You like me because there
’s always food at my house.”
He frowned and took my hand. “There’s always food at my house, too, it just usually comes in fast food containers.”
“I’m down with fast food,” I told him honestly and wrapped a hand around his bicep, letting him lead me up the wooden porch steps and into the dragon’s lair.
I resisted the urge to kick off my shoes the moment my heels dug into the plush carpet in Jase’s living room and looked around, awed. Jase had outdone himself, really going the extra mile to make tonight memorable, and I couldn’t deny the thrill that shot through me at that knowledge. Another step forward and the formal dining area that separated the living room from the kitchen came into view.
“Oh, Jase.” There were candles all over the dining room and small, squat jars with flowers dotting the table and hutch. A deep red runner went down the length of the table which was piled high with food. Lots and lots of food. “Holy crap, Jase. This is amazing.”
And a really great start to a first date.
I know you’re just dying to know how the night ends for these two best friends!
You can find out HERE
Also by Piper Sullivan
Small Town Protectors Series
Cold Hearted Love: A Sheriff Romance
A reporter. Gorgeous. Stubborn. Mouthy.
Ginger was everything I didn’t want in a woman.
Except she was fiery, and she didn’t give up.
She kissed like her mouth was made just for me.
She had a way of making me forget she was a nosey journalist.
Always out for a story, no matter the cost.
Ginger made me laugh, she was a thorn in my side.
She made me fall for her.
But can I trust her with my heart when I don’t know what she’s hiding from me?
Hero Boss, Book 9: An Office Romance
Dr's Orders, Book 8: A Single Mom Romance
Mastering Her Curves, Book 7: A Curvy Girl Romance
Kissing My Best Friend, Book 6: A Fake Relationship Romance
Undesired, Book 5: A Best Friend's Brother Romance
Wanting Ms Wrong, Book 4: A Second Chance Baby Romance
Loving My Enemy, Book 3: An Enemies to Lovers Romance
Bad Boy Benefits, Book 2: A Roommate Hero Romance
Hero In My Bed, Book 1: A Roommate Hero Romance
Accidental Hookups
Accidentally Hitched: An Accidental Marriage Romance (Accidental Hookups Book 1)
Accidentally Wed: An Accidental Marriage Romance (Accidental Hookups Book 2)
Accidentally Bound: An Accidental Marriage Romance (Accidental Hookups Book 3)
Accidentally Wifed: An Accidental Marriage Romance (Accidental Hookups Book 4)
Boardroom Games
His Takeover: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Boardroom Games Book 1)
Sinful Takeover: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Boardroom Games Book 2)
Naughty Takeover: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Boardroom Games 3)
Standalones
Stranded: A Mountain Man Romance
Dating the Doctor: A Single Dad Romance
Dr. Daddy Next Door: A Single Dad Romance
Cowboy's Fake Fiancée: A Single Dad & A Virgin Romance
Cowboy's Barmaid: A Small Town Military Romance
Let's Pretend : A Fake Fiancée Romance
I’ll Pretend : A Fake Fiancée Romance
Boxsets & Collections
Misters of Pleasure: A Small Town Protectors Boxset
Daddies & Nannies: A Contemporary Romance Boxset
Cowboys & Bosses: A Contemporary Romance Boxset
Kiss Me, Love Me: An Alpha Male Romance Boxset
Accidentally On Purpose:An Accidental Marriage Boxset
Small Town Misters: A Small Town Protectors Boxset
About the Author
Piper Sullivan is an old school romantic who enjoys reading romantic stories as much as she enjoys writing them.
She spends her time day-dreaming of dashing heroes and the feisty women they love.
Visit Piper’s website www.pipersullivan.com
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To Catch A Player (Second Chance) Page 18
