Page 32 of Off Limits
I stifle a laugh. ‘One date and you’ll leave me alone?’
In the dim light, I think I see him blush. ‘Well, I uh—’ He falters, rubs the back of his neck. ‘I was hoping if you had a good time, you might give me a second shot.’
‘Guess you’d better really impress me, then.’
‘I’ll put my heart and soul into it, that’s a promise.’
I laugh. ‘I’m still not giving you my number, Jake Walsh.’
He holds up his palms, accepting my terms. ‘No numbers. Got it. Yes ma’am.’
This guy’s so sweet he could give me a cavity.
‘So is that a yes?’ he asks hopefully.
I don’t know what possesses me to even consider this idea, because it’s crazy. I’m crazy.
My Uber pulls up. ‘I gotta go,’ I tell him.
‘Please don’t leave me hangin’.’
‘It’s a yes,’ I tell him, and he punches his fist in the air. ‘Nobody, butnobody, can know. Not even your sister.’
He seals his lips with an invisible zipper. How can a guy who can tackle literally anyone on a football field be so dorky and adorable?
‘Not even River,’ he repeats. ‘My lips are sealed.’
He takes a step and opens the car door for me. It’s the only thing that separates us and I linger on the sidewalk.
‘I’ll wait for your visit, then,’ I say. ‘To the diner.’
‘When’s your next shift?’
‘Monday morning. Early.’
‘Monday, I have practice. What time do you get off?’
‘I’m there most days. My shifts finish around four.’
He frowns at me. ‘You work too hard. Okay, so I’ll be there. Monday after practice. Save some eggs for me.’
I go to get in the car, but something stops me. ‘Why do you wanna go out with me? Is it just because I’m CMC?’
‘No,’ he states. ‘Absolutely not.’
‘Then why?’ I think about Brody Conway and his words come back to haunt me. ‘Don’t answer that. Curves and ass. Right?’
‘I was gonna say your smile.’
Now I feel bad for not thinking more highly of him. He runs his fingers through his hair.
‘You should be getting back to the party,’ I tell him. ‘Goodnight.’
‘Goodnight, Ren,’ he says and when I’m in the car, he closes the door behind me. The Uber driver doesn’t give me a chance to wave him goodbye, so I turn around on the back seat and wave through the rear windshield. He waves me off and I almost feel excited that I don’t have to wait long to see him again.
‘Ren? That you?’
The screen door creaks as I open it. I finish sending a message to Kathleen to confirm my safe return home. Little does she know, I’m heading out again.
