Chapter 23
23
Wednesday, April 23rd
C onfirming I have my keys, I open the door, ready to spend the day babysitting Cam. But then I stop short, gasping. “Oh my God,” I squeal, seeing a gorgeous bouquet of lilies sitting right on my doorstep. “Chad.”
I pick up the bouquet, inhaling the fresh scent as I bring it inside and set it on the kitchen counter. Staring at the flowers, the biggest smile grows on my face. He’s the best. I’ve never been showered with gifts like this, never felt this special. Opening my text thread with him, I start typing.
Anna Clark
Oh no.
Chad Braun
What?
Anna Clark
You have competition.
I chuckle at my own message, glancing back at the lilies. The truth is there’s no competition. Chad’s been on my mind constantly, and with tomorrow’s date approaching, the anticipation is practically killing me.
Chad Braun
Read the card.
I notice the card tucked into the bouquet and pull it out. As I open it, I laugh to myself.
Anna Clark
It’s hard to read. Your handwriting is bad.
"I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Don’t dress up. Wear yoga pants or something comfy."
I smirk, biting my lip.
Anna Clark
So you just want to stare at my ass. Got it.
Chad Braun
More than stare.
Oh my God. The way he flirts, the way he knows exactly how to get under my skin—now I’m turned on.
Anna Clark
We talked about this. Your sentences …
Chad Braun
You’re sassy this morning. I think you need a spanking. (Two full sentences )
Spanking?! My heart races, the heat rising in my cheeks. Too nervous to continue the flirting, I ask another question.
Anna Clark
What are you up to?
Chad Braun
I’m at the gym.
That’s a hot mental image.
Anna Clark
Send a sweaty selfie when you’re done.
He sends a thumbs-up reaction, and I place my phone down, glancing back at the flowers. He really knows how to make me smile. But before I can get too lost in the thought, I remember I need to head to my sister’s house to watch Cam.
Sliding into my little car, I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Chad has me all worked up. My mind keeps drifting back to tomorrow. What does he have planned? What’s he going to spoil me with next?
Pulling into my sister’s driveway, I flick the key, turning off my car. As I’m about to head inside, my phone buzzes. I nearly drop it when I see Chad’s sweaty mirror selfie. He’s in a tank top, flexing his bicep. Whoa. Hot. And those shorts. I giggle to myself. At least he doesn’t skip leg day.
Anna Clark
Zaddy.
Chad Braun
You’ll be panting a variation of that word tomorrow.
I instantly blush, and a giddy laugh escapes me. Oh my God, this man.
As I walk toward my sister’s front door, still typing, I send him another message.
Anna Clark
I was expecting shirtless.
Chad Braun
Tomorrow.
That single word is on repeat. Tomorrow. The anticipation is making me feel like I’m about to burst. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.
I hear Cam’s voice pulling me out of my thoughts. “Anna!”
Looking up from my phone, I see him and my sister standing there. Megan is giving me that look, the one that says, I’m annoyed but not surprised .
“You’re late,” she says, her voice sharp as she walks straight out the door and toward her car.
I’m only a couple of minutes late. I scrunch up my nose and stick out my tongue, making a mock face like we’re kids again. Megan’s eye roll says you’re still not cute , but I can’t help but smile.
“Oh,” she says, gripping the car door handle, a smirk slowly spreading across her face. “Mom called me this morning, asking if I knew who you were making out with last night on Main Street.”
Shit. My stomach drops.
“I told her I didn’t know who it was,” she adds, her smirk now full-blown, a mischievous giggle escaping her as she slips into her car.
Good thing Chad was a gentleman last night, so I won’t have to lie by omission when I tell my mom about the date. She’ll call—probably any minute now.
“What should we do this morning?” I ask Cam, stepping into their home, trying to shake off the nerves that Megan so expertly set off.
“I want to watch TV,” he says, already plopping down on the couch.
“For a few minutes,” I say, turning it on and snuggling next to him, trying to focus on the cartoon. But my mind is already wandering again. Chad.
I glance at my phone, and an impulsive idea strikes. "I have to go potty. Be right back," I tell Cam as I dart to the bathroom. I lock the door and pull up the picture Chad sent—sweaty, hot.
Biting my lip, I pull my shirt up to my bra and snap a quick picture. My heart races as I hit send.
His response is almost immediate.
Chad Braun
Don’t be such a tease.
Anna Clark
You started it!
I can’t stop smiling. It’s like everything is leading to tomorrow. The connection we have—the banter, the flirting—it’s all so effortless, so fun. I can’t remember the last time I felt this giddy, like I’m back in high school, sneaking texts during class.
“Anna! You didn’t flush!” Cam shouts from the living room, jolting me back to reality.
Oops. I quickly flush, even though I didn’t actually go, and head back out to the couch. "Snack?" I ask as I pass by.
“Apple slices,” Cam says, his eyes glued to the TV.
I grab the apples from the fridge, but as I slice them, my mind drifts back to Chad. I’m so turned on right now, it’s ridiculous. I grab a slice and, on a whim, snap another picture—this time of me sucking on the apple.
Anna Clark
I’m babysitting, so all I can be is a tease.
Chad Braun
I like these photos.
I know exactly where this is going.
Anna Clark
How much?
Chad Braun
I’m thinking about all the ways I can spoil you.
Spoil me? My excitement surges as I imagine what he has planned. What does “spoil” mean to Chad? Is it more flowers? Something sexier? My heart races thinking about it.
Anna Clark
So, I should anticipate another early morning present?
Chad Braun
Yes.
A smile is glued to my face. I love being spoiled. I love how Chad is already spoiling me in ways I hadn’t even expected.
Anna Clark
When do you wake up?
Chad Braun
Six.
Anna Clark
Gross.
Chad Braun
I thought the same thing at twenty-two.
I laugh out loud, sinking back into the couch beside Cam, trying to focus on the TV, but I’m lost in my thoughts about Chad. Like clockwork, my phone vibrates—my mom. Here we go.
“Morning,” I answer, wandering into the kitchen to not disturb Cam’s show.
“Anna. Really?” she immediately scolds, and I’m grateful for Megan’s heads up.
“What?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“Who’s this guy you're kissing on the street? Is this what you were whispering about with Megan on Easter?”
I smirk, thinking about our kiss. “The guy is Chad Braun. We’ve been on a couple of dates. He’s really sweet and funny.”
“Braun,” she repeats slowly. “The guy that owns the boat rental company? He’s older than Megan.” Her tone is full of that familiar, not-so-subtle judgment.
“Yes, and I know.” I brace myself for more.
“How did you meet him?”
“He’s one of my regulars at La Nonna.”
“Hmm,” she hums, clearly unimpressed. I can practically see her wrinkling her nose in disapproval.
“He sent me flowers this morning,” I add, hoping to steer the conversation in a more positive direction.
“Oh?” Her tone softens. Of course, flowers make everything better in her book.
“He’s very sweet.”
“We like nice boys.”
I hold back a laugh, thinking about the times Chad’s hand has already squeezed my neck. Nice boy might not be the first term that comes to mind. Still, I nod along with her. “He’s a nice boy.”
Thank God he didn’t come in last night.
“So, when is this nice boy taking you out again?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Are you excited?”
“Very. But don’t start planning the wedding yet,” I tease.