Page 181 of The Path to Loving Him
“Any date I’m happy with. What’s on your mind?”
I take her hand in mine and stare at the connection. “I was kind of hoping that you could go to a home goods store and help me pick out a few things for my place? Then I could take you to dinner.”
When my eyes meet hers, I see them light up with enthusiasm. “Really?”
“Yeah, you interested?”
“More than interested. I’m honored.” She brings our connection to her lips and presses a quick kiss to my knuckles. “Let me change.”
I tug on her so she’s pulled right into my chest. “Nah, I like you like this.”
“Ryland, I’m in no way ready for a date with you.”
“Babe, it doesn’t matter what you wear. I just want you with me. Plus, you look hot.” I pull away to scan her, my tongue wetting my lips. “Really fucking hot.”
She glances down at herself and then back up at me. “The things that turn men on these days.” She shakes her head. “Let me grab my bag and phone. One sec.”
She goes back into her apartment, and my eyes fixate on her round rear as she collects a fanny pack and her purse. She drapes the fanny pack over her shoulder like a cross bag and locks up.
“You’re wearing that wrong, you know,” I say as she turns to me and takes my hand where we walk down the stairs together.
“My belt bag?”
“Belt bag?” I ask on a laugh. “Gabby, that’s a fanny pack.”
“Not according to the youth. This is a belt bag.”
“The youth are wrong,” I say as I open the passenger side door to my truck for her. She slides to the middle seat like the good girl she is. “That’s a fanny pack and it will always be a fanny pack.”
“Look at the old man grump, unable to change his ways.”
I grab her seat belt and buckle her up before gripping her chin and saying, “Deal with it.” I press a quick kiss to her lips and then round the front of the truck and get in on my side.
I start the truck, buckle up, and rest my hand on her thigh as I back out of the driveway and onto the road.
“Where are we headed?” she asks as she leans into me.
“There’s a discount home goods store?—”
“Jackson’s Home Goods?” she asks.
“Yes. I thought it would be a good place to at least start. And if we have to go somewhere else, we can.”
“Jackson’s is a great place. Good quality items that are affordable. I got a few things there when Bennett and I first moved to the area.”
“So good choice?” I ask with insecurity.
“Great choice,” she says as she places her hand on mine for reassurance. “Now, what exactly are you looking for?”
“I don’t really know. I was kind of hoping you’d guide me. I think I want to focus on the living room and make it more homey, since that’s where we spend a lot of our time. Mac’s room is fully decorated, so no need to worry about that.”
“And what about your room?”
“That doesn’t need anything special, just a place to sleep.”
“You know,” she says, rubbing her thumb over the back of my hand, “sometimes we have to treat our bedrooms as a place of sanctuary, especially if we have problems finding our best sleep.”
“Are you trying to allude to something?” I ask.
