Page 108 of Under the Weatherman
Then he’d promised me a series of dates that effectively made him all mine every free moment in December. And what dates! Everything was curated to my interests. I couldn’t have planned better if I’d been given free rein.
Maybe he was love-bombing me, and I was too stupid to realize it, but as I read and reread the list, I marveled at how well he knew me after such a short time. And he still liked me.
Other than point number nine, there wasn’t a single thing I’d change. I could always send my writing to Chelsea, but I understood the assignment. Did I trust Evan? Would I let him into the most vulnerable parts of my heart?
Evan,
These are all a yes. Beware. I’ve already begun to compile the list of books you’ll be carrying for me on New Year’s Day. Promise me you’ll read some of them with me.
Elizabeth
Could I come up with another ten? Had he left me a minute free?
Chapter Thirty-six
Evan
“Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. Then your love would also change.”
Romeo and Juliet
Thursday morning, I made my way over to Chelsea’s house, excited to finally get to relax among friends.
Elizabeth opened the door, her smile growing childishly huge as she yelled, “It’s snowing!”
She grabbed my elbow and dragged me outside into the wet snowfall I’d just walked through for blocks. She stuck out her tongue, laughing, and I couldn’t help but join in. Large flakes settled in her hair, and her cheeks turned a rosy red. She was so beautiful, and I was going to forever regret it if I couldn’t get my shit together.
I stepped closer, wishing I could kiss the snow off her lips. “I should have addedCatch a snowflake on your tongueto the list. Easy point.”
“Oh!” she said, wiggling her fingers in excitement. “I’ve drafted ten more things. If I let you read it, can that count as point number nine?”
“Point number nine?” I raised an eyebrow. “What was point number nine?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t memorized your own list.”
I hadn’t, but I’d read over it nervously more than a few times. One of the last ones I’d selfishly added was for her to share her writing. “Oh, yes. Point number nine. And no, it doesn’t count since the whole challenge has to take place within the month of December.”
“Right.” She smiled, and it made me want to work doubly hard to never see her frown at me again. “I’m warning you that I can be pretty dangerous with a full twenty minutes in a bookstore.”
“Oh, you think you’re going to get all twenty points?”
I hoped she would. One of those points was a kiss. It wasn’t until New Year’s Eve, but if I couldn’t earn her kiss by then, I didn’t deserve it.
“I’m an old pro at this by now. Plus you said we could fudge things, so… Yeah. I’m getting all twenty points.”
God, I loved her positivity. She managed to chase away the darkest clouds.
“We should go back inside.” I held out a hand, praying she’d take it, relieved when she did. “You’re not even wearing a jacket.”
She led me through the front door, saying, “Good call on the forecast, Mr. Spurlock.”
The snow had started falling about an hour ago, and as I’d predicted, it had been light, and might not even stick, but the roads were going to get icy. “I told you.”
Chelsea said, “Are you sure you didn’t call for an eight-inch pounding?”
Elizabeth snorted. “Warn a girl.”
She handed me a glass of kirs, and I asked, “How’s the new job?”
