Chapter 5
FIVE
Jade
I take one last look at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes are wide and nervous. I tried to put on some makeup, but I’m not sure it has the desired effect—my mascara is already smudged at the corners. I sigh as I grab a tissue and wipe it off.
When Cora called to tell me about my blind date tonight, I didn’t tell her that this was my first date. All afternoon, I’ve been playing different scenarios over in my head. All of them end terribly.
What if I get there and the guy takes one look at me and leaves? What if we have nothing to say to each other? What if he kisses me and it’s awful?
So many what-ifs.
I groan and close my eyes, taking a deep breath and giving myself a little pep talk.
It will be okay. If it doesn’t work out, it’s no big deal. I’ll head home, call Cora, and we can laugh about it.
I open my eyes and take one last look in the mirror. My brown hair swishes back and forth as I smooth out my dress and take a final deep breath.
“All right. It’s date time,” I say, forcing myself to smile at my reflection.
Grabbing my things, I head out, locking the door behind me. I pause when I see Meyer outside, walking toward his truck. He frowns as he glances my way. I raise my hand in a weak wave. I should thank him for bringing my car back from town, but I chicken out and keep my head down as I climb behind the wheel of my car.
We pull out of our driveways at the same time, and I follow him into town. I don’t think too much of the fact that we’re headed in the same direction. Wolf Valley is a small town, after all. I don’t start worrying until we pull into the Toasty Buns parking lot.
I park a few spots down from him and crane my neck, watching as he gets out of his truck and glances my way. I freeze. He frowns, pausing at the back of his truck. I can see him trying to decide whether to head my way or go inside.
Is Meyer my blind date?
No way. He probably just wants a burger.
Except…he’s kind of dressed up…
He gives me one last look before he turns and heads into the restaurant. I watch him go before I grab my purse and climb out of my car. I scan the busy parking lot for any single guys who could be my blind date, but everyone outside is either with a date or their family.
Must be inside or running late.
I head inside the small restaurant, looking for an open booth or table. It’s pretty busy, and all the tables are taken. I frown, trying to spot my date. There’s only one guy here by himself, and I freeze when I realize it’s Meyer.
“No,” I whisper. “No, no, no.”
I’m not going on a blind date with my grumpy neighbor. Not after last night. Not after this morning. I don’t know what I want in a man, but I do know it’s not someone so hot and cold. Mostly cold.
I need to get out of here before he sees me.
I move toward the door, keeping him in my sight like a wild animal. He must be able to sense me because he looks over, and his eyes lock onto me.
I take another step back.
He frowns and looks around the restaurant. His eyes snap back to me, and I see the second he realizes I’m his date.
“Jade,” he says in warning.
I take another step back. I’m at the door now and glance over my shoulder, gauging the distance to my car. I’m not sure what my plan is, but I need to get out of this restaurant.
“Jade,” Meyer calls again.
I turn to see him push to his feet. Now’s my chance.
I bolt for the door and make it to my car, cursing as I dig in my purse for my keys. I should’ve grabbed them from my purse before I made a run for it.
“Dammit, Jade!” Meyer calls as he runs toward me.
I find my keys and unlock the car. I’m about to open the door when Meyer runs up behind me and flattens me against the driver’s door. I squeak as his weight and heat press firmly against me.
“Tell me you weren’t about to ditch me on our first date,” he growls.
I try to push him away, but it’s no use. “No, of course not,” I lie. “I just forgot something in my car.”
“Little liar,” he grumbles against the shell of my ear.
“Nu-uh.”
“Jade,” he admonishes me.
“Okay, fine, I was leaving,” I admit.
He steps back, and I spin to face him. He frowns at me, and I clear my throat, looking away.
“Listen, I know that this is a blind date, and I’m sure you don’t want to have dinner with me, so?—”
“I do.”
“—it’s better if I—wait, what?”
“I do.”
“You do what?”
“I do want to have dinner with you.”
My mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.
Finally, I croak, “You do?”
He nods, looking annoyed.
I choke on a laugh. “I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true.”
“Okay, well, I don’t want to have dinner with you . I’m leaving.”
“Wait!” He grabs my arm before I can get in my car.
“I don’t think that this is a good idea, Meyer. I don’t think you know what you want, and that won’t end well for me. I want someone who’s sure about me—someone who sees a future and wants it. But you? You can’t even decide if we’re friends.
“I’m sorry,” he grumbles.
“Right. Well, I’m still leaving.”
“I’ll be nice.”
I huff out a laugh. “I’m looking for more than nice .”
“Okay, I can be that, too.”
“Why are you trying all of a sudden?”
He releases my arm and runs his hands through his hair. “I’m not good at this.”
“Dating?”
“Being around other people,” he sighs. “Making friends. Dating. Feelings.”
“Feelings?”
His cheeks turn pink with embarrassment. “All of it.”
“I’m getting that,” I murmur.
“Just…let me buy you dinner.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to walk back in there after this whole scene.”
“Okay, let’s get something else. Pizza or tacos?”
“Tacos.”
“Let’s go.”
He takes my hand and half-drags, half-leads me to his truck.
“I can drive myself.”
“Yeah, and you’ll go straight home.”
I sigh as he opens the passenger door for me.
“In you go.”
I climb into his truck, and he closes the door. We make the short drive to Salsa Supreme and park out front.
“I’ll get your door,” he says as he hops out.
I can’t believe this is happening, and I don’t know what to do. Should I give him a chance? Or should I protect my heart and pride?
“Come on,” he says.
He takes my hand, leading me inside and up to the counter to order.
“Do you know what you want?”
“Yeah, the number seven plate.”
“Got it. Why don’t you find us a table?”
I nod, grateful for a few minutes alone to gather my composure. I grab some chips and salsa and find an empty booth in the back.
Meyer joins me a few minutes later. “So…blind date. How’d you get talked into this?”
I lean back in my seat. “My friends offered to set me up, and I agreed. I’m not opposed to dating or having a boyfriend or whatever. How about you?”
“My friend Camden offered, and I said yes.”
“I’m surprised.”
“That I said yes?”
I nod, popping a chip into my mouth.
“Oh, I regretted it instantly.”
I laugh. “But you went along with it?”
He nods. “I knew I couldn’t back out on Camden. He’d never forgive me.”
“He’s your best friend?”
“Yeah. He’s here in town.”
“You served together?”
“Yeah. Marines.”
“You have whole conversations with him?”
He grunts and shoves a chip in his mouth. “What about you?”
I smirk. “I have whole conversations.”
“Smartass,” he grumbles.
I grin and dip my chip in the salsa.
“Tell me about you.”
“Well, I’m new to town. I just bought a house with this grumpy neighbor, but aside from that, I like it here.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m an arborist for the state park. I love plants, nature, and dogs.”
“You don’t have a dog,” he points out.
“Not yet. Hopefully soon.”
Our food is delivered, and I sigh happily as I grab my fork and dig in.
“Hot!” I gasp, fanning my mouth as I breathe out.
“Here,” he says, sliding me a glass of water.
“Thanks.”
We eat in silence for a minute.
I glance up at him. “What about you?”
“My food is hot, too.”
“Great. I meant, tell me about yourself.”
He shifts in his seat, looking uncomfortable.
I eat more of my burrito and watch him, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Meyer.”
“Hmm?”
“This is the part where you open up and talk about yourself.”
“Well, I’m kind of new to town.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I like it. It’s quiet. Or it was until this new neighbor moved in next door.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. She’s always humming and singing to herself.”
“She sounds adorable,” I quip.
He smiles crookedly. “She is.”
“Well, I hope you brought her a plate of brownies or cookies to welcome her to the neighborhood.”
“I drove her home when she was drunk. And I’m buying her tacos right now.”
“Fine. What else?”
He frowns as he finishes his food. “You want an ice cream or something?”
“No, I mean, tell me something else about you.”
“I was in the Marines.”
“Yeah.”
“And I’m not anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Shot.”
“You were shot?”
“Yeah. Shoulder. On my last tour.”
“I’m sorry. That’s why it was sore?”
He nods.
“I’m glad you’re all right now.”
“Yeah.”
We’re silent for a bit. Once I’m done eating, Meyer sets some bills on the table and stands, offering me his hand.
“Are you sure you don’t want some ice cream?” he asks as we walk back to his truck.
“No, I’m stuffed.”
He grunts and opens my door, helping me into the passenger seat. We make the short drive to my car, and he parks behind it.
“I didn’t think I would, but I had fun,” I tell him as I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Good.”
I wait to see if he’ll say he had fun, too. Nothing.
I smile awkwardly. “Right. Well, see you.”
I grab the door handle, but he hops out and jogs around to the passenger side, offering me his hand to help me out of the truck.
“See you later,” I say, grabbing my keys from my purse.
“See you.”
He hovers next to me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. I lick my lips as I gaze up at him, but then he moves away.
I shake my head, open my car door, and climb behind the wheel. I refuse to look back at him as I reverse out of my parking spot and drive home.
Meyer’s truck follows me, and I bite my lip as I ponder our date. It wasn’t what I expected. I meant what I said about having fun, but would I go on another date with him?
Yes.
My answer is instant. The truth is that there’s something between Meyer and me. A spark, a connection I’ve never felt with anyone else. He might be closed off, a real tough nut to crack, but damn if I don’t love the challenge.
But it’s probably not something I need to worry about because I doubt he’ll ask me out on a second date. I wish he’d kissed me or given me some kind of sign about how he was feeling.
Meyer pulls into his driveway as I park and gather my things. I open my car door and gasp when I realize that Meyer is standing right next to me.
“Jeez!” I wheeze.
He clears his throat. “Sorry, I thought you saw me.”
“Did you forget something?”
He nods. “Yeah.”
Before I can blink, he pulls me into his arms and seals his mouth to mine.
My breath hitches in surprise, but I melt into him instantly.
His lips are firm and warm, and his hand slides up my back as he holds me against him like he’s been dying to do this all night. Maybe even longer.
I grab the front of his shirt, my fingers curling into the fabric as I kiss him back. His mouth moves with mine, and everything else—my nerves, the doubts, the awkward start to the night—melts away.
When he finally pulls back, he stays close, his forehead resting against mine as we both catch our breath.
“Goodnight, Jade,” he murmurs, his voice rough.
I blink up at him, dazed. “Goodnight.”
He hesitates, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His hand lingers for a second before he finally steps back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, his tone leaving no room for debate.
And then he turns and walks back toward his house, leaving me standing in my driveway, heart pounding, lips tingling, and absolutely certain that I’m in trouble.