Page 70 of Practically Perfect
“We’re on our best behavior when my mom’s around. Pretending like nothing has changed until she leaves the room, or I can sneak over to his house for a few minutes.” I slide another shirt into the reject side of my closet, frowning at the lack of options I have down here.
“So, no more orgasms?”
I chuckle. “Sadly, no. Just the one after the wedding. And no, I’m not going to give you any more details. I already answered the thirty questions you asked the morning after.”
“How long are you going to wait to have sex with him? You know I would’ve jumped him a long time ago.”
I shake my head, plucking out a sweater from the closet that should work for tonight. “I don’t have a set timeline. I’m waiting for the right moment. When we both feel ready to take the next step.”
Chelsi laughs. “Pretty sure he’s been ready to devour you for weeks. And I can only imagine how much hotter his dirty talk will become once the two of you start having sex. I’m going to need to knoweverything, Kate.”
“You will get the CliffsNotes version and be grateful I’m willing to share that much with you,” I reply, a flush of heat creeping up my neck and cheeks as I remember how it felt to have his hands on my bare skin. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
“Fine,” Chelsi groans. “What are you wearing tonight?”
“It’s slim pickings down here, but I’m thinking an emerald-green one-shoulder sweater and dark skinny jeans.” I switch to speakerphone, dropping the phone onto my bed as I shimmy into my jeans and pull the sweater over my head.
“Great choice. The color will make your eyes pop. And what else are you wearing?”
What the hell is she talking about? Does she mean a coat?“Huh? I guess I’ll probably throw on some jewelry.” I walk over to my dresser and glance at my extremely limited options when it comes to necklaces.
“Silly girl,” Chelsi teases with a laugh. “Not jewelry. What’s the bra and panties plan?”
“For the love, Chelsi,” I groan, throwing my head back and staring at the ceiling, as if she can somehow see me over the phone.
“What? It’s a fair question. You’re grown adults who are falling for each other. I just want to make sure you’re prepared in case it happens tonight.”
“You’re always looking out for me, Chelsi,” I reply, taking a seat on my bed and covering my eyes with my hand. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Chelsi says in a sing-song voice. “And hopefully doallthe things I would!”
“Bye, Chelsi,” I say, ending the call.
“Any chance you’ll tell me what things Chelsi would and wouldn’t do?”
I jolt off the bed at the sound of his voice from the other side of my cracked-open bedroom door. “Holy shit, Jake! You scared me. How long… How long were you standing there?” I bite the inside of my cheek, praying he didn’t hear any of her comments about how she believes we’re both falling for each other, and eternally grateful I didn’t switch to speakerphone when she was talking about her thoughts on his dirty talk.
“Not long. Only Chelsi’s last comment,” he answers. “Can I come in?”
“Yes,” I reply, messing with the bottom of my sweater and trying to calm my breathing. It’s beyond pointless to worry about my flushed skin, considering one look, touch, or word from him can have that effect on me in minutes.
As soon as the door opens, I lose my breath, my mouth goes dry, and the beating of my heart picks up speed. He looks incredible—his jeans hug his thighs, his dark gray sweater brings out the flecks of blue in his eyes, and his smile is heart-melting. But it’s not what he’s wearing that gets me—it’s his presence. He looks like home.Myhome.
I’m so freaking screwed.
“You look breathtaking, Kate,” he murmurs, gazing into my eyes and taking a step closer. “I’m so pleased I finally get to take you on a proper date.”
I blush, parting my lips. “You look incredible as well. I’m really looking forward to tonight,” I reply, placing my hand on his chest. I don’t dare get any closer to him with the door open, not with my mom becoming more mobile. Somehow, she’s figured out how to use her walker in stealth mode, sneaking up on me without making a single sound multiple times in the past few days. “Any chance you’ll tell me where we’re headed before we actually get there?”
“Not a chance,” he teases, smiling at me with adoration. “For the record, I’m holding your hand as soon as we get outside your front door. I’ve been patiently waiting all week.”
My heart flutters faster, anticipation raging inside me. No matter where he takes me, I know tonight will be a core memory. And maybe…the last first date I ever have to go on.
I follow Jake out of my bedroom and say goodbye to my mom, reminding her to call if she needs anything and reiterating that dinner is in the fridge. She’s immersed in a recorded episode of a soap opera, so she barely pays us any attention.
Once we hit my front porch, Jake does exactly as he promised, taking my hand in his. His entire face lights up as he brings our joined hands to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to mine. “I hope you like what I have planned,” he says with a tinge of nervousness in his voice. “I wanted to make it special. Something we would both always remember.” He stops in front of the passenger door of his truck and brushes the back of his hand along my cheek, sending shockwaves through every nerve ending in my body.
We’re barely five minutes into the date, and he’s already made my heart swoon multiple times. I’m going to be a pile of romantic mush if he keeps this up.
