Killing the engine, I left the car and shut the door behind me. “Frank, how are you?”
“Good.” He searched my face. “I was out for my afternoon walk and saw you pull in and sit there for a few minutes. Thought something was wrong. So, I came to check on you.”
My heart warmed. “Thank you. I’m fine though. I have a date tonight and I’m nervous.”
Frank’s eyes lit up. “That’s fun!”
I laughed. “Yes, but it’s been awhile.” It wasn’t like I had guys lined up at the door to take me out on the town or anything.
“You will have fun and if the guy hurts you, I’ll kill him.” Frank shrugged. “So, it’s a win-win really.”
I shook my head. “He’s sweet. And he’s leaving on Monday. He’s in the military.”
Frank stood taller at the mention of the forces. “Do you know what he does?”
“No. It’s all hush hush I guess,” I told him. “But he’s nice.” He had to be nice since he was in the military right?
“Just be careful, sweetheart.” Frank started walking away. “Remember what I said.”
“I’ll remember.” I grabbed the bags from the back seat before kicking the door closed. “Thank you,” I called after him and rushed to the building.
It was pushing four in the afternoon. I wondered why Ryder set the date so late. Not that eight was overly late but I hadn’t eaten much during the day.
I sighed. I was stressing. I didn’t like stressing.
Taking a breath, I mentally counted to ten and headed up the stairs to my floor.
When I finally reached my apartment, I shut the door behind me, clicked the lock into place and began stripping. Gathering my clothes, I went to my bedroom and changed into workout clothes. Maybe doing a round of yoga for an hour would help me feel better. No. Punching something would probably be better but unfortunately for me, I had nothing to hit. Not safely anyway. There was a gym at the center I volunteered at, but I never had the courage to actually work out in it.
After doing a hard round of yoga, I took a shower, did my hair and the next thing I knew, it was pushing seven. I was standing in front of my closet in a towel. At least I was showered.
With a glass of red wine in my hand, I went through my closet and hated everything I owned. Who needs eight black dresses? This girl apparently. And black leggings? Way too many.
Taking a step back, I began pacing when something caught my eye.
A dress that I couldn’t remember when I last wore it, hung in the middle of the closet. It was black with tiny red polka dots on it. It buttoned up the middle and would sit just past my knees. It was short sleeved and classy and the comfiest dress I had ever worn. I could sex it up a bit and wear something hot beneath it.
Happy with my choice, I pulled the dress off the hanger and laid it on my bed. Ripping off the towel, I grabbed a red bra and panty set from my drawer.
Finally getting dressed, I did a quick turn in the mirror and unbuttoned the top two buttons of the dress. It showed off some cleavage but left enough to the imagination that I wouldn’t feel like Ryder was staring at my tits the whole time. Or maybe I would be lucky, and he was an ass man instead.
I sighed, applied some lip gloss and gave myself another once-over. It would have to do.
My phone dinged, indicating a new text message.
Ryder: I’m here.
I smiled, my heart speeding up.
Me: On my way down.
Grabbing my small purse, I threw my phone in it and slipped my feet into a pair of wedges.
Locking up the apartment, I quickly made my way downstairs. As soon as I stepped outside, I was thankful with my choice of outfit. It was a warmer evening. I was almost tempted to throw my hair up into a ponytail but when I caught Ryder standing by his truck, his dark eyes on me, I changed my mind.
A slow grin spread on his face the closer I got to him. “You look beautiful.”
My cheeks heated. “You look handsome.”
“Ready?” he asked, opening the passenger door to his black truck.
I took a breath and nodded. “I am.” But it didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous.
He stepped to the side, letting me enter the vehicle and helped me up onto the seat.
When I was inside the truck, I turned to him. “Thank you.”
Ryder winked, closing the door and headed around the vehicle to the driver’s side door. Once he was sitting beside me, he turned on the engine and pulled us out of the driveway.
“How was your afternoon?” I asked, needing the sound of our voices to drown out the nerves rushing through my belly.
“Not too bad.” He passed a glance at me. “Took me forever to figure out what I wanted to wear. I tried asking my sisters, but they were no help.”
I laughed. “Really? You had a hard time deciding too?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, babe. Believe it or not, guys can get nervous too.”
“Oh.” I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs. “I knew that, but I just never had a guy be nervous when it comes to going on a date with me.”
“How come?” Ryder grabbed my hand, holding it tight in his.
That single touch eased the nerves racing through me. “I haven’t dated the best guys. Or the guys I was supposed to date ended up being in love with someone else.” I grimaced at the memory rushing through me.
“Explain that part to me.”
I thought a moment. “You actually may know them. Ashton and Aidan Donovan.”
Ryder grunted. “I do. And Zach and Luna. I know them all.”
“I forgot you all grew up together.” I was an outsider looking in. “Ashton set me up on a date with Zach, but never told me that Zach had said no because he was in love with Luna. It was a hot mess, but I like to think I gained a friend out of it.” Zach, Luna, and I had gone on several dinner dates together. Even though it had only been the three of us, they never made me feel like a third wheel.
“I heard something about that. My sister, Meadow, likes to keep me in the loop.” Ryder chuckled, his big body shaking.
I laughed. “Yeah. If you want to know something, just go to her. But she doesn’t spread shit. She says it how it is. I can appreciate that,” I told him.
“Are you close with my sisters?”
“Not really. I’m not close with anyone.” I wasn’t sad about that either. I was focused on school and my career. Much like Ryder and his need to serve our country, I had a need to save children from monsters.
“Well.” Ryder brought our joined hands up to his mouth. “You can become close with me.”
My heart stuttered.
He placed a soft peck on my knuckles, winked and dropped my hand back in my lap.
My stomach somersaulted. Oh yeah, I could definitely see myself becoming close with him.
“So, tell me, Ryder. Why did you really ask me out on a date? Did you want to sow some oats before being shipped away?”
His jaw clenched, a gruff laugh leaving him. “I’m not like any of the guys you’ve ever dated, Clara. If that’s what you’re wondering.”
“Oh? And how do you know what the guys I’ve dated were like?” I turned toward him, linking my fingers in his. “You only just met me today. Officially anyway. You ask me out on a date and then tell me that you’re leaving on Monday. Why me? What makes me so special?” I didn’t want to second-guess his motives but after having some bad luck with guys and being considered a second choice, it made me question…well, everything when it came to dating and the opposite sex.