Chapter 19
19
E ven though it’s barely fifty degrees out, I’m feeling flirty and put on a little crop top and high-waisted jeans. I want Chad’s hands to be all over me. Hopefully, it’s Chad. Please, don’t let it be someone else.
Checking myself out in the full-length mirror in my bedroom, my blonde hair is getting long, almost past my chest, and I’ve kept it simple with just a little eyeliner and mascara.
Sliding into my oversized denim jacket, my heart races as I stare out the window. Anticipation. I haven’t been this excited to go out on a date in forever. All of the butterflies and nervous energy are there. I really want Chad to be the one picking me up and am refusing to entertain the possibility that it could be someone else.
A big, white truck pulls into the lot. That has to be him. Grabbing my mini bag and phone, I quickly confirm I have my keys, then head out the door, locking it behind me.
“I knew it!” I squeal as I see Chad leaning casually against the passenger door, looking hot in a black long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and boots. Relief and excitement wash over me—thank God it’s not some random guy.
“Hey,” he greets me, smiling as he extends his arms for a hug. I step into him, immediately noticing how good he smells. Feeling his back, it’s strong, and I smile, loving this hug and how little I feel in his arms.
“I’m way less stressed now,” I admit, pulling back.
“Why’s that?” he asks, still holding onto me.
“You could have been someone else,” I say with a small laugh into his chest, but it’s the truth.
“Look at me,” he breathes, reaching for my chin, lifting it slightly, and oh my God is that hot. He stares deeply into my eyes with a little smile on his face before asking, “Looking forward to spending a few hours together?”
“Of course!”
“Me too.” He releases my chin and opens the passenger door for me. I step up into the truck and fasten my seatbelt. Relaxing into the seat, I exhale, my heart rate calming.
“Where are you taking me?”
“On a two-minute drive.”
I chuckle, loving how he answers my questions in a way that keeps me guessing. As he starts driving, he grabs my hand, playing with my fingers. I stare at his hand, loving it.
“You look really nice,” he says, glancing over at me briefly before focusing back on the road.
“You clean up well yourself,” I tease, and he shakes his head, maybe amused by me.
We pull into a parking spot on Main Street, and he shuts off the truck. Where’s he taking me?
“Let’s go,” he says.
“Where?”
“To our date.”
“You’re annoying.” Although the smile on my face shows how excited and not annoyed I am.
He smirks and gets out of the truck. I take a deep breath before stepping out. On the sidewalk, he grabs my hand again. I like it. Chad is sweet. When was the last time a guy planned a whole date for me, from pick-up to activity? I have a feeling this is going to be the best date of my life.
“Oh!” comes out of me as we approach Main Street Makers Studio.
“We’re going to paint a little,” he says, smiling.
“Fun!” But then I stop walking, a smirk playing on my lips. He furrows his brow slightly, clearly wondering why I’ve stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “A very public date you’re taking me on,” I flirt.
“And?” he asks, looking smug as ever.
“People are going to be talking about you and me being out together,” I point out, fully aware of how people in town love to gossip.
“And?” He steps closer, his eyes locking onto mine as his hands find their way to my hips. His voice drops, low and sexy, as he asks, “What’s there to talk about?”
I place my hands on his shoulders, leaning into the flirtation. “There could be a lot to talk about.”
He exhales loudly, and I can tell I’ve gotten to him. It makes me smile.
“I’ll kiss you later,” he whispers, his voice sending a thrill through me as his hands move up a little, touching the exposed skin between my crop top and jeans.
“Why not now?”
“We might not make it to this class.”
I nearly squeal because he’s right. The attraction between us right now is so intense.
“One little kiss.” I pout.
He leans in, but instead of kissing me on the lips, he presses a soft kiss to my forehead. My jaw drops, mock-offended.
“Choose your words better next time.”
I swat his chest, giggling. I love this. I love everything about it.
Chad takes my hand again and guides us inside.
As I step into Main Street Makers Studio, it’s so cool. I’ve only been in here a couple of times, but the vibe is so Etsy aesthetic perfection. A long communal table sits in the middle, covered with bottles of wine, charcuterie trays, and little easels ready for us to paint. I’m excited to get to know Chad better.
“Chad!” Sarah Anderson, the owner of the studio and the definition of boho coolness, calls across the room, and I blink in surprise as she gives him a hug. I didn’t realize they were friends. “This is your plus one?” Sarah asks, turning her attention to me. “Hey, Anna!”
“Hey!” I wave back, feeling slightly awkward. There’s nothing to be awkward about aside from the fact that Aaron Olson wasn’t interested in me and is now dating her. “You and Aaron are so cute together. Maybe I’ll see you at La Nonna soon?”
“We should go back! We’ll have to do a date night there again.”
After Emily and Nicholas get engaged, I have a feeling Aaron and Sarah will get engaged soon after. They’re too perfect together.
“I have you and Chad seated right here,” she says, pointing to the end of the table near the big windows overlooking Main Street.
Chad leans in. “So public.”
Without thinking, I swat his butt in response. It lands harder than I intended, and Chad shoots me a playful look before leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Whatever you do to me … it’s going to happen to you later.”
“Like you need an excuse to grab my ass.”
He grins, bear-hugging me close. “You’re so feisty. I love it.”
I giggle, feeling the warmth of his arms around me, loving this easy banter between us.
“Let me make us some snack plates,” he says, ending the hug. “Do you want wine?”
“Yes, please,” I say, then take my seat in front of the easel.
Chad puts together a plate of cheeses and nuts, placing it in front of me before sitting next to me. I pick up a piece of cheese and hold it to his lips. He bites down, his big brown eyes locked on mine. The bite was intentional, sexy.
“You looked hungry,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, although that bite was hot.
“I am,” he replies, not breaking our eye contact. Oh we’re definitely hooking up after this. But still … where’s dinner?
Just as I’m about to say something, Sarah begins the instructions for our painting. It’s a spring-themed piece with bright colors and floral details.
“Mine is going to look like a five-year-old did it,” Chad whispers as Sarah talks.
“Mine won’t look much better.”
We pick up our brushes and start following the steps.
“How do you know Sarah?” I ask.
“She’s close with my oldest sister.”
“How old are your sisters?”
“Kelly just turned thirty-two, Ashley is almost thirty, and Heather is twenty-seven.”
I make a little face, feeling our age gap. “Do any of them have kids?”
“Kelly has two boys. Three and two months.”
“Such fun ages.”
“Yeah. I love being the fun uncle.”
He likes kids. Another point for Chad, I think while painting.
“So concentrated,” Chad teases, glancing at me as I furrow my brows in focus.
“I’m trying to do a good job!” I protest, and he chuckles, brushing a streak of paint onto the canvas. As our paintings start to take shape, Sarah finishes her guidance, encouraging us to focus on the details.
“So, Anna … what should I know about you?”
I hesitate, not sure how deep I should go. “I don’t know.”
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Am I not grown up?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m not super career focused. Honestly, I want to meet a nice guy and start a family. Like having my own family is what I want for my life.”
I expect some kind of joke or judgment, but instead, Chad squeezes my hand, and there’s no judgment. I’m not used to that reaction. Everyone always tells me I should do one of a million other things before I have kids.
“What about you?”
“I don’t know if I’m ever going to grow up.”
“Peter Pan for life?” I tease.
He shrugs. “I mean, I don’t take everything as seriously as most people. I like my job, I like that I get a lot of free time in the off-season, and I don’t have grand plans to expand or anything. I’m pretty content.”
I look at each one of his brown eyes, not really believing him. Well, not believing the last part. That he’s content.
“But are you?”
Chad tilts his head, then his fingers move to his lips. I guess that’s a deep question, and I feel nervous and ramble, “I think you’re looking for someone to spend your time with.”
“I wasn’t looking,” he says, then pauses. “But you caught my eye.”
Corny, I think, but my heart races at his flirtation. “So you’ve been coming into La Nonna for more than the pasta?”
He just smiles at me, and how did I never notice this dimple on his right cheek before?
“Chad … you never flirted with me.”
“I was getting to know you. And everything I learned, I liked.” He squeezes my hand again. “I didn’t want it to be weird.”
“You’re not weird.”
“Well … not creepy weird.”
I poke him playfully. “You are a little creepy.”
He pokes me back. “We do have a big age difference.”
“We do.” I nod, hearing my sister’s comments before pushing them aside. “But I don’t think we need to put pressure on anything. We’re two people on a date.”
He squeezes my hand again, and I love how natural this all feels. “Do you want to live around here forever?”
“I want to be close to my family. So, unless they all move, I’m here for the long haul.”
“Same,” he says, nodding. “I like being near everyone. And I really like it here.”
We both smile at each other before Chad says, “Your painting looks very close to the example.”
“I’m actually surprised it looks decent.” Then I smirk. “Can’t say the same about yours.”
“You are such a brat.” His face is really flirty looking though.
I glance at him, the memory of our kiss creeping into my mind. “I can’t believe I kissed you … bunny mask and all. That’s so crazy.”
“So crazy?”
“Kissing a stranger while blindfolded and pressed against a wall isn’t something I do every day.”
“You seemed to enjoy it,” he says, giving me a flirty look. “I’ll do it again sometime.”
“Blindfolding me?” I ask, and the look he shoots me. That could happen. The tension in the air between us right now … I can’t hold back a smirk. “I like flirting with you,” I admit, staring at my painting.
“Me too,” he says, his hand sliding onto my thigh. My eyes shift to his hand, imagining it traveling farther, and a thrill runs through me.
I want him.
“When are you going to kiss me again?” I whisper.
“Outside.”
Is he telling me to go outside? Or is he saying it will happen when we leave? He stands, and I flash him a nervous look.
“Don’t you want to go to dinner?” The chuckle that follows. He’s so amused with himself. I shake my head but can’t hold back the smirk on my face.
“Anna,” Sarah says, getting my attention as I grab for my painting. “Leave it here. I’ll spray them all with a varnish and you can grab them whenever.”
I feel Chad’s presence behind me and then a hand on my ass.
“Thanks!” I manage, blushing as he squeezes it.