Chapter 28
SAPPHIRE
I don’t know what I expected when Eli dropped me off earlier, but a kiss on the cheek at the doorstep wasn’t it.
The testosterone was practically radiating off him, smelling irresistibly sexy, and all I got was a quick peck.
I rest my head on the back of my front door and let out a sigh, remembering the smile that spread across his lips, a smile that could stop hearts. That might have already happened when he kissed me for the first time. It was the ultimate kiss, one I will remember for the rest of my life.
He’s so confusing though, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. One minute, he was holding my hand on the steps leading up to my house after we got out of Cole’s car; then the next, a quick kiss on the cheek, and suddenly, there were no plans to see each other. Zero.
Hot and then cold, I can’t keep up.
Maybe he was waiting for me to suggest dinner or a movie… Do people still go to the movies for dates? I haven’t been to the movies for as long as I can remember.
The jingle-jangle of Ghost’s collar signals his presence, as his small paws patter along the hall.
“Hey, buddy.” I bend down low to welcome him as he trots toward me, then rubs himself against my knees, weaving between my legs, circling me, purring and swishing his bushy tail high, whipping my face.
“Did you miss me, huh?” He arches his back when I dig my fingers into his fur, his chest trilling in pleasure as he lets out a high meow.
“Did Mistee look after you?” He butts his head into my hand in reply.
Of course she did. Mistee loves Ghost as much as I do.
When she called earlier to ask what time I’d be home because she had another date with the guy she met recently, I told her to leave right away. After her husband cheated on her and left her heartbroken for years, I’d never stop love from finding its way to her. She deserves it more than anyone.
Just then, my cell phone rings from inside the overnight bag Eli’s mom gave me to hold my shoes and purse to bring them home in.
I give a side glance at the dress bag my dress is in as I walk past it hanging on the coat stand in my hallway. I did tell Eli’s mom, Michelle, it was unnecessary, but she was insistent, saying it would prevent it from creasing any further after being laid over a chair all night.
Pushing my hand into the overnight bag, I scramble around to find my cell phone, and butterflies take flight in my stomach when I see Eli’s name lighting up the screen.
Accepting the call, I hit the speaker and ask teasingly, “Missing me already?”
“I do, I regret not kissing you properly. I also regret not asking you to dinner tonight. Have dinner with me tonight at my place.” It’s more of an instruction than a question.
And holy swoonballs.
This is it.
A date.
Finally.
“What time? I’ll see if I can squeeze you in.” I banter with him because he knows I won’t make it easy for him.
He chuckles darkly down the phone, and I love how he’s been starting to show me little glimpses of his personality: he finds me funny. Hell, the man couldn’t even crack a smile when I first met him; now he laughs. It’s a giant leap for him.
“Six o’clock, Sapphire. I have things to do first.”
What he means is that he already had his day scheduled. When he said he was feeling sick earlier in the car before we arrived at his dad’s care home, I swear he was experiencing a panic attack.
He’s not someone who likes changing plans or having plans sprung on him, and I could be wrong, but I think this is something else he’s struggling with too.
The closer I get to him, the more I hope he’ll open up about whatever’s going on inside his head.
Maybe I read the situation wrong, though, and perhaps it was the thought of me spending time with his father when his family is very private about his dad’s illness.
I hope he knows me well enough to trust that I would never share any details about his dad’s condition with anyone.
“Let me just check my diary.” I don’t but pause to add to the drama. “Oh, you’re in luck. I’m free tonight, Eli.”
“Glad to hear it. I will pick you up around five to allow for traffic.”
He really is very particular about timekeeping.
“That’s perfect,” I reply.
What the hell am I going to wear? Do I go sexy, smart, or casual?
This isn’t like me to stress about what I’m going to wear for a date, but here I am fretting like a girl going on her first date in high school.
This feels like a big deal.
It is a big deal.
This is Eli freaking-walls-up-Hart who hasn’t dated for five years.
Five years!
There’s a lot of pressure on me tonight.
“I’ll see you then, Sapphire.”
“Can’t wait.”
“And Sapphire?”
“Yeah?”
“Hope you’re hungry, but I can’t promise you’ll leave with just a full stomach.”
“Oh.” My eyes widen at his brazen flirting. He’s different today. Lighter.
“Cat got your tongue, Sapphire?”
For the first time in my life, yes, yes it has.