5. Alice
Chapter 5
Alice
I roll over in bed, my eyes still half-closed, and reach for my phone. The screen lights up and Hunter’s message from last night stares back at me.
Hunter: Would you let me take you to dinner tomorrow?
A pang of guilt twists in my stomach. I never answered him. These feelings I have when I think about Hunter make me feel vulnerable. He has this way of looking at me like he sees someone worth his attention. He’s so gorgeous and seems to have it all. I don’t understand why he would be interested in someone like me. And maybe I’m reading too much into it. Maybe he just wants to be friends.
With a sigh, I glance over at Splat who’s curled up in a ball at the foot of the bed. He’s watching me with those green eyes of his, as if he knows exactly what I’m dealing with and thinks I’m being ridiculous.
“Morning, baby,” I mumble, rubbing his head. “What do you think? Should I go?”
He lets out a slow, sleepy stretch, then meows softly, as if he’s saying, Yes, obviously. Or maybe he’s just hungry.
“You’re no help, you know,” I sigh, getting up to fill his food and water bowls in the kitchen. Splat follows me, waiting as I measure out his food, his tail flicking with the kind of unbothered certainty I wish I had.
After feeding him, I stand in the middle of my kitchen, glancing back at my phone. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t answer him.
“Alright,” I whisper to myself, steeling my nerves, and pick up my phone.
Alice: Sorry for not responding last night. I’d like to have dinner with you if the invitation is still open.
The message sends, my stomach twists with a mixture of excitement and panic. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself to feel these types of feelings. My mind is racing through a dozen of “what ifs” when my phone buzzes in my hand.
Hunter: Of course, I still want to take you out! I’ll pick you up tonight at seven. Can’t wait to see you.
A grin sneaks onto my face. The text sounds happy like he’s excited about spending time with me. The warmth in my chest spreads, and I can’t help but feel a small thrill at the thought of seeing him tonight.
But then, the doubt returns with a vengeance.
What am I going to wear?
I’m no good at this!
I haven’t been on a date in almost ten years and it ended with me crashing my car and swearing off men forever.
What do normal women do in these instances?
Before I can talk myself out of it, I dial Bridget’s number. She picks up on the second ring, her voice as bright as ever.
“Good morning!”
“Bridget, it’s Alice,” I say, a little too loud, my voice a mix of excitement and nerves. “I…think I might have a date tonight. With Hunter.”
There’s a pause on the other end. I’m about to repeat myself when Bridget squeals, so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “I knew it! I knew he was interested. Okay, what do we need to do? Clothes? Hair? Make-up?”
“All of it,” I say, letting out a half-laugh, half-groan. “I have no idea what I’m doing here.”
“Well, lucky for you, I have some ideas. And we should probably call Harper too,” she says, already sounding like she’s rifling through her closet for options.
“Harper?” I ask, unsure. I love Harper, she’s quickly become one of my best friends, but she’s also Hunter’s sister-in-law.
“Oh, definitely Harper,” Bridget insists, not giving me a chance to argue. “She’s known Hunter longer than any of us. She’ll know exactly how to calm your nerves.”
Within seconds, all three of us are video chatting and I find myself at the center of an odd strategy session.
“So,” Harper begins, her voice both excited and gentle, “Spill it. How are you feeling?”
“Nervous,” I admit, twisting a lock of hair around my finger. “I don’t know why he wants to go out with me.”
“Oh, Alice,” Harper says kindly. “Hunter’s a great guy, but he wouldn’t ask you out just to be kind. It’s because he sees something special in you.”
Bridget jumps in. “And you’re fun and beautiful. We just need to get you out of your own way.”
A tiny spark of confidence flares up at their words, though doubt still lingers. “I mean, he does make me feel… different ,” I say quietly. “Like I’m not just some ordinary girl to him.”
Harper laughs. “You’re not ordinary. Trust me, Hunter’s lucky to have your attention.”
“So, what should I wear?” I ask, feeling a hint of excitement creeping in. “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, but…”
“I have the perfect dress. Do you remember that red wrap dress I bought when we went back to school shopping a few weeks ago?” Bridget asks.
“Oh, that would be perfect,” Harper agrees. “And your hair in soft waves? It’s romantic but still you.”
“I’ll come over with the dress this afternoon,” Bridget promises.
“Can I come to play too?” Harper asks. “Since we found out about the baby Miles has been driving me nuts.”
“The what?” Bridget and I both ask at the same time.
Harper’s smile beams through the screen and she nods. “Yup, a new St. James is coming next year.”
“Congratulations, Harper.”
“I want to hear all the details,” Bridget says.
“All of them?” Harper asks with a smirk.
“Maybe not all of them,” I answer. Accepting a date with Hunter is a big step. I don’t need to hear about his brother’s sex life right before we go out.
“I’ll be there this afternoon and you can ask me whatever you want to know.”
Harper and Bridget say their goodbyes and I sit down hard at my kitchen table. Looking back over the messages from Hunter, I bite my lip, a bubble of excitement growing inside me.
Maybe tonight will be a new beginning.
Hunter
I glance at the clock on the wall. Two hours until I pick up Alice and I’m running out of things to do. I’ve cleaned my house from top to bottom, even cleaned behind the fridge. I can’t sit still. I’ve resorted to pacing my living room, trying to find ways to fill the time. I feel like a teenager waiting for his first date.
I grab a book, settle on the couch, and try to distract myself. Ten minutes later, I realize I’ve been reading the same sentence over and over. I toss the book aside, sighing. I’ve never been this worked up about a date in my life, but then again, I’ve never felt about anyone else what I feel for Alice. It’s impossible to explain, but the second I saw her in her backyard calling for Splat it hit me. I don’t want to blow this.
My phone rings and I grab it off the coffee table. Clara’s name flashes across the screen. I answer with a smile.
“Hey, Clara.” I settle back against the couch.
“Hunter! Finally. So… is there a reason you didn’t tell me about Harper being pregnant the second you found out?” She asks her tone light but with a hint of accusation. “What kind of brother doesn’t spill that kind of news right away?”
“Easy there. I found out maybe five minutes before you did,” I reply, laughing. “Besides, you usually know these things before I do. I’m honestly surprised you hadn’t already figured it out.”
She huffs on the other end, but I can tell she’s smiling. “Fine, fine. I’ll let you off the hook. This time. But while I’ve got you, how’s everything else going? Anything interesting on the horizon?”
There’s a weight in her question like she already suspects. I hesitate, but I know she’ll drag it out of me one way or another. I take a breath. “Actually… yeah. I have a date tonight.”
“With Alice?” She’s trying to keep her voice calm, but I can hear the excitement building. Clara’s known about my interest in Alice from the start, and she’s been not-so-subtly rooting for us to get together.
“Yes, with Alice,” I say, feeling a grin spread across my face. Just saying her name is enough to make my pulse pick up.
Clara practically squeals on the other end. “Finally! How did you get her to agree?”
“It took some patience,” I admit, pacing back and forth across the living room. “She’s guarded. I think something happened in the past, but she agreed to dinner tonight.”
There’s a pause, and I can almost picture Clara leaning in, serious now. “Listen, Hunter. I’m so happy for you, but if she’s that hesitant you need to take things slow. Do not push her. Let Alice set the pace and open up to you on her own terms.”
“I know,” I say, nodding even though she can’t see me. “I’ve been telling myself the same thing. It’s just… I don’t know how to explain it, Clara. I’ve never felt like this before.”
“Then don’t let your excitement push her away,” Clara says gently. “Remember, she said yes to tonight because she sees something in you. Show her you’re the safe bet. Be yourself and be steady, and let her come around on her own.”
“You’re right. Thank you,” I say, trying to absorb every bit of her advice. Clara is always there for my brothers and me when we need her and she’s never afraid to tell us when we are in over our heads.
“You’re welcome, Hunter,” she says, her voice turning teasing again. “I’m going to want a full report after this date, you hear me?”
I laugh. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good. And seriously, Hunter —don’t overthink it. You’re a catch, we all know that, and from what I’ve heard, so is Alice. Remember you’re my favorite big brother.”
We both laugh at Clara’s joke. “Love you, little sister.”
“Love you, too.”
When we hang up, I feel more grounded. I keep reminding myself that Clara’s right. Alice is giving me a chance and right now that’s enough.
I look at the clock again. One hour and thirty minutes to go. It’s still too early, but I go to my bedroom to shower and get dressed. I put on a casual but nice, button-up shirt and clean jeans. I exhale, trying to steady myself, knowing that in just a little while, I’ll get to see her smile again.