Page 62 of Check You Out

“No, no, no. I mean. I do. I do want a second date.” Aidan closes his eyes and tips his head back. “I’m sorry. I’m shitty at this. At dating.”

My smile returns. “It’s ok.” I reach up and rest a hand on his bicep. His skin is warm under my fingers. “I think you’re doing fine.”

“Really?” He lowers his head to look at me. Air escapes his lungs in a wheeze. “Because I feel like I’m fucking up the entire time. I mean, you’ve now asked me out twice, and I’m just here acting like a blubbering idiot.”

I loop my hand through his arm, so it rests at the crook of his elbow. “I’m definitely the blubbering idiot between the two of us.” A chuckle bubbles out of me. “I haven’t dated in a while. I mean, sure, I “dated” in high school and college, but then I started working, and I just didn’t know how to meet guys. Dad died, and I struggled for a while. By the time I got back into dating, it’s just been on the apps, and that certainly hasn’t been great.”

He eyes me quizzically. “You’re not a blubbering idiot. You’re—”

We resume our walk down the stairs. “Yes, I am. I insert myself into people’s lives and problems, the most recent example being you and your dad. Again, sorry.” He nudges me. “I think I’m just stressed about this whole library thing. I might have to rethink everything if it closes. I’m scared.” I chew on my lower lip. “I’m thirty-two years old, and I might have to start over. I have no idea what I’m doing, or what I’m going to do.”

“No one has any idea what they’re doing,” Aidan remarks. “When I first started out teaching, I said something similar and my mentor teacher overheard me. She stopped in the middle of pouring coffee and practically shouted in front of a dozen other teachers, ‘I’m fifty-six, and I also don’t know what I’m doing. We’re all just making shit up as we go.’” We reach Main Street and Aidan starts eyeing the road. I’m liking this whole walking home with him thing. I don’t have to worry about accidentally walking into oncoming traffic.

A corner of my mouth tips up and warmth radiates throughout my body. “Thank you.” We cross the street and leisurely walk toward the glowing window of Sunflower Books. I gently nudge Aidan’s arm. “So, any ideas for our second date?”

He swallows. “Actually yes. Would you like to come over for dinner on Friday night? I’ll make you my famous ramen.”

“It’s a date.” We set up a time, but I’m at my door. Even if I don’t get a kiss out of this, I’ve got a second date.

“So,” Aidan murmurs, “until Friday.” He holds my elbows like he wants to hug me. Our bodies are mere inches from each other.

I breathe out. “Until Friday.” We stand there in silence for a few moments. The pads of his thumbs caress the inside of my arm. My gaze keeps peeking up to those soft, plump, perfectly kissable lips. I wonder if he will taste like that latte he was drinking earlier.

“Can I kiss you?” he asks. “You can say no if you want to. But I would really, really like to kiss you.”

“Yes.” I breathe out and I stand on my tiptoes while he ducks his head. Our lips meet and it’s better than I could’ve imagined.

It’s the kind of kiss that makes me want to pop a heel. I taste coffee and something sweet on his lips. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into his chest. His hands leave my elbows and drift down to my waist, pulling me closer so that our bodies press with one another. My fingers play with the strands of hair at the back of his neck. I swear I can hear the hint of a moan rumbling through his ribcage.

I stagger out of the kiss. Scarlett heat flushes up to my ears and my chest heaves. I need to cool down. “Goodnight,” I squeeze out. There’s no air in my chest for me to say much more.

I dare to gaze up at him. Aidan’s glasses are askew and his hair is rumpled from my hands. His eyes are on me, and his mouth is slightly parted with the corner upturned. A dimple pops, and my body itches to reach out to him to repeat the kiss. But I need to cool down. Every fiber of my being is on fire and I’m not sure I’m ready for that right now.

Aidan looks just as overwhelmed as me. His cheeks are flushed and he flashes a sheepish smile as he adjusts the crotch of his jeans. “Goodnight,” he whispers before turning and leaving me in the glow of the light.

I stand there and watch his silhouette recede. At the end of the street, Aidan pumps his fist and lets out a whoop.

26

Aidan

17 Days until the Council Meeting

“When are you leaving?” I whine to Xander as he kneels to tie his shoelace. I tap my foot with impatience. “Charlotte is going to be here any second. Can you tie any faster?”

“I’m tying as fast as I fucking can,” he moans and fumbles with the strings. “Dumbass had to invite her over for the second date and kick me out. I’ve never kicked you out when I’ve brought someone home.”

I put my hands on my hips. “Uh yeah you have. I’m justified in kicking you out.”

He jabs a finger in my direction. “The walls here are flimsy and they don’t muffle sound.” He opens his mouth to say more but shuts it.

I shove a leash in his hands as he stands up. “Precisely. Now get out before she gets here.”

He waves me off. “Don’t rush me, man!” He picks up his keys and snaps the leash to Gromit. “I’m going. I’m going. Come on buddy, we need to leave so lover boy can make out with his girlfriend.” He pulls open the front door and freezes.

Standing there, mid-knock, is Charlotte.

My eyes can’t help but take in her beautiful curvaceous body. Her hair is loose and long, framing her face in a delicate halo. Her cheeks are rosy, likely from exertion of the walk over here, but there’s a part of me that hopes I’m the reason she’s blushing. She’s clutching a platter covered with foil in her hands.