Lexi: I’m alone.
He called the next second.
“Hey,” I said, leaning against the closed door.
“Hey. We didn’t get to talk again before I left.”
“I know. What did you want to talk about?”
“Seeing you. Out of the house. Every time I make plans, something gets in the way, so I’m going to be spontaneous.”
“Why do I have a feeling that’s not your thing?” I asked with a grin.
“It usually isn’t.”
“So I get special treatment?”
“Yes, Lexi. You do. You fucking do.”
My breath caught, and I only managed a whispered “Okay.”
“Do you have time for a date tonight?”
I shimmied my hips, barely restraining the urge to break out in a happy dance.
“Yes, I do,” I exclaimed. “I do.”
“Good. I can’t wait for tonight, Lexi.”
“Back at you.”
I hung up, and my face exploded in a huge smile.
I had a date with Tate Maxwell.
A date.
I was the luckiest woman on the planet.
Chapter Sixteen
Lexi
When I came back downstairs, Paisley was still watching The Jungle Book, so I went ahead and packed everything for our picnic. Twenty minutes later, I was done. Poking my head in the living room, I realized Beatrice and Paisley hadn’t moved one inch.
“We’re ready to go,” I said.
Predictably, Paisley asked, “Can I stay and watch some more?”
The corners of my mouth tugged up. “You can watch more another day. Let’s go out and enjoy the sun.”
Beatrice nudged Paisley. “Your dad messaged me, asking me to spend the evening here. We’ll watch more tonight.”
“When did Tate message you?” I blurted.
“Now,” she answered, looking at me with a very knowing smile.
Oh sweet Lord. The man moved fast.
I smiled nervously as we all got ready to go out.
The day was perfect for sunbathing and relaxing, but I couldn’t wait to get home for the first time since I became Paisley’s nanny. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy spending my time with her and Beatrice. But I was too excited about the date, and that feeling multiplied once I received a message in the early afternoon from Tom, the owner of the small deli next to my building, telling me I had a special delivery that I had to pick up from him.
Lexi: What is it?
Tom: I am under strict instructions not to tell you.
I stared at my phone.
Lexi: Who is it from?
Tom: Tate Maxwell. That’s all I’m allowed to tell you.
I laughed at my phone, shaking my head. Tate had bribed him not to tell me what he sent me? Well, well. And I thought I was on good terms with Tom. I had to take my bribing game to another level.
The day rolled by fast—probably because I spent half the time daydreaming about the evening.
“Why don’t you go ahead?” Beatrice asked sweetly at five o’clock when we returned to the house after a day of sun, snacks, and laid-back fun. “Paisley and I are good.”
I couldn’t help but blush. Could she tell what was on my mind? That all I could think about was Tate and what the evening would bring?
Who was I kidding? Of course she could tell. That explained the knowing smile.
“Are you sure?” I asked, not even bothering to pretend that I didn’t want to go home as soon as possible.
“Yes, yes. Paisley and I can entertain each other.”
Oh sweet Lord. By the way Paisley looked at Beatrice, as if she walked on water, I knew she was going to spoil the young girl nonstop. That was fine. That was a great-grandmother’s prerogative. I’d only had a few years with my grandparents—they passed away when I was pretty young—but the one summer I spent at their house was one of my happiest memories.
Once I arrived at my building, I went straight next door to Tom’s deli, impatiently drumming my fingers on his counter.
“Okay. I’m here. I want my present.”
“Girl, whoever this guy is, he’s a keeper.”
“How exactly did this happen?”
“A delivery guy came. He gave me his phone, and I spoke with Tate Maxwell, who made a very convincing case for why I shouldn’t tell you what you got.” Bending at the waist, he disappeared for a few seconds under the counter and then came up with a box of my favorite kind of chocolates—they had cherries inside.
Wow. I couldn’t believe it. My mouth was already watering as I took my box of chocolates.
I was lucky that the elevator wasn’t too crowded. I was getting the side-eye from my neighbors, probably because I was smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. Once I got inside my apartment, I texted him.
Lexi: I got the chocolates. And they are my favorite kind!!!!
Tate: I know. You told me you loved them.
Oh, sweet heavens. He remembered? Who is this guy?
Lexi: How did you do this?
Tate: That’s my secret. But it involved Gran too.
Lexi: So family conspiracy for the perfect date, huh?
Tate: All the best for you Lexi. Only the best.
I sighed, planning to look absolutely gorgeous for this date. I washed my hair and styled it in waves with my large round brush. Then I applied makeup, carefully following the steps, using face cream and then foundation. I played with eye color until I got it right; I was wearing a white dress and black sandals, so I could get pretty creative with eyeshadows. Choosing a few shades of green, I put a lighter color starting from the inner corner of the eyelid and going darker toward the outer corner.
Once I finished the makeup, I put on my white dress. It was strapless with sewn-in bra cups so my nipples wouldn’t show. It was made of a stretchy fabric that highlighted my curves. I turned around, looking in the mirror, and decided to pair it with some fun earrings.
In my spare time, I liked to make jewelry. It was nothing fancy; I liked crafts, having done it a lot with the kids at school, and it became a habit that relaxed me more than even being outdoors. I put on huge hoops with all sorts of trinkets on them. I liked wearing neutral colors because it allowed me to play with accessories and makeup.
Turning around again in the mirror, I smiled at myself, happy with my work. I still had two minutes left until Tate arrived, so I quickly put on my shoes, which were pretty high and made my legs look endless. I couldn’t wait to see Tate want to devour me the second I opened the door.
I even sent my friends a pic of the chocolate box after I’d updated them on my night with Tate.
Jenny: He’s a keeper.
Ella: Holy shit, girl. Where did you find this guy?
I grinned at their responses. One and a half minutes later—yes, I was counting—my doorbell rang. I opened it without even checking the peephole.
Wow. Was Tate even hotter tonight? He looked absolutely delicious, with a five-o’clock shadow, the top button of his shirt open, and his sleeves rolled up. He was pure muscle, and I loved every inch of him.
“Good evening, Lexi.”
“I’m ready.” I felt a bit ridiculous as I posed in front of him, jutting one hip out to the right and placing my hand on it. I stayed like that for a few seconds before picking up my black clutch.
Tate didn’t take his eyes off my face. He seemed oddly still.