12. Chapter Twelve
I’ve been on edge for days, tiptoeing my way around Easton anytime he’s been in the house, and I feel like I’m going to go insane if I keep it up. We still haven’t talked about things between us and I’m so confused about what to do.
This morning I decided that it could be a good idea to get away from the house, so I called Savanna and she agreed to meet for brunch. I’m in need of a mimosa or five at this rate. As soon as she agreed, I got dressed in my favorite floral sundress and white strappy sandals, then headed for the front door.
As luck would have it, at the exact moment I’m walking out, Easton is walking in and we collide with his hard chest hitting my nose. “Umph,” I yelp as pain radiates across my face, causing my eyes to water. Easton reacts faster than me and grabs hold of my biceps, stopping me from falling on my ass.
“Shit, are you okay?” he says as he looks me over.
I wriggle my nose to make sure it’s still intact and give him a nod. “I’m fine.”
He clears his throat and nods, running a hand through his hair as he takes in my sundress and sandals. “You look pretty. Where are you off to?”
“I’m meeting Sav for brunch.” He doesn’t make a move to get out of the doorway. He just stands there looking at me. “I need to go, Easton. I don’t want to be late. You know how your sister is about that.”
He opens his mouth as if he wants to say something, but closes it instead and nods. He moves to the left and just as I’m almost through the doorway he says, “Do you want to go out with me?”
Excuse me? I heard that right, didn’t I? Maybe I misheard him. There’s no way this man is asking me out. “What?”
“Things are… rocky,” he says.
“You don’t say,” I mumble.
When he narrows his eyes at me, I clamp my mouth shut and let him continue – he doesn’t need my commentary right now. “I’ve been thinking, and I’d like to take you out. On a date. Tonight, if you’re free.”
Is this some sort of joke?
“Seriously? You want to go out with me?”
He fidgets and looks uncomfortable, and for the first time I truly look at his face. This isn’t the Easton I’m used to seeing. The guarded man with walls ten feet high who doesn’t let women in. This man is making himself vulnerable to me and my heart trembles at the realization. “Yeah,” he says softly, giving me a gentle smile. “Yes,” he says more firmly. “I want to take you out.”
For the next few minutes I simply stare at him, blinking rapidly while trying to figure out what to say.
Taking a deep breath, I decide to take a risk and make myself as vulnerable as he’s being. I look deep into his eyes and say, “Yes, Easton, I’ll go out with you.”
He releases a breath I didn’t realize he was holding and then gives me a huge grin, the sight of which makes my core clench.“You won’t regret it. Thank you. Say hi to my sister for me.”
With those parting words, he leaves me standing in the doorway and I’m left to wonder what the heck just happened.
I’m going out with Easton Gentry tonight. Holy shit.
When I walk through the diner entrance, Mrs. Langley, one of the older women who loves to gossip, is sitting at one of the tables with a smile aimed my way. “Autumn, dear, how lovely to see you this fine afternoon.”
“You too, Mrs. Langley. How are you?”
“Oh I’m just fine, dear, thank you for asking. I hear you’re staying with Easton Gentry.” The words are a statement not a question and the light in her eyes clues me in to what she’s really doing. The woman will do anything to get information out of someone.
Before I can respond, Savanna steps next to me and hooks her arm through mine. “Sorry, Mrs. Langley, my lunch date seems to be late and we have so much to talk about.”
Mrs. Langley turns her bright gaze to Savanna and gives her a smile. “I’m sure you do, sweetie, I’d hate to keep you girls.”
Savanna pulls me toward one of the tables, making sure that we are far enough away that Mrs. Langley can’t overhear us, then she flops into an empty chair. “That woman,” she mutters with a shake of her head. “Always trying to get in everyone’s business.” Her eyes lift to mine and she waves a hand forward. “Well, are you going to sit down?”
“You’re awfully jumpy today.”
She gives me this duh sort of look and says, “I’m waiting to see if anything new has been going on. So, sit and talk.”
Before she pops a blood vessel, I tell her, “Your brother just asked me out.”
Savanna squeals and leans forward. “And?”
“I said yes.” She squeals again, gaining the attention of a few people near us, and I lean forward with a frown. “But what if I should’ve said no?”
She tilts her head. “Why would you think that?”
“He doesn’t date,” I say, as if this is something that even needs to be said. She knows better than anyone else how guarded he’s had his heart. “I don’t want to get hurt.”
“I know, but try to give him a chance. This is huge for him, you know that, so he must be serious if he’s willing to take the risk. There’s no harm in keeping your guard up a bit though. I’d do the same thing.”
“You want to help me get ready tonight then?”
“I’ve got some things to do at the house, but I’ll FaceTime you, how’s that?”
After a few mimosas and a cheerful goodbye, I head back to Easton’s with my nerves going crazy.
It’s around seven when I hear the front door shut down the hall, then heavy footsteps going upstairs. Easton must be back from dropping Bethany off at his parents’ house.
I turn around to face Savanna who, as promised, is on FaceTime with me. The red dress I have on hugs my breasts and hips and stops just above my knees. It’s not too provocative, but it still shows enough leg to give him a show. She also suggested I straighten my curly hair, a style that I rarely attempt since it requires a lot of work, but the end result is worth it.
Sav’s looking at me through her screen and I stand there waiting for her thoughts. “Did you do your makeup yet?”
I shake my head and frown. “I can’t decide whether I should go for simple or sexy. What do you think?”
Savanna chews on the inside of her cheek, then nods slowly. “Simple might be best for the first date. Your dress speaks for itself in the sexy department.”
A soft knock on my bedroom door lets me know Easton’s standing on the other side and I give Sav a panicked look. “Coming!” I call out to him.
Savanna chuckles. “Hopefully you will be! I’ll let you go. Have fun! Can’t wait to hear all about it tomorrow.”
I quickly apply my makeup which thankfully doesn’t take more than a minute and then grab a black clutch from my closet, checking myself out in the mirror one last time. I feel sexy and confident, the way a woman should feel when she goes on a date with a hot man.
Easton’s standing in the living room with his back to me when I walk in, and his hands are in the pockets of his dark wash jeans. I take a moment to study him and my mouth waters at the sight of his white button up straining against the muscles of his back and arms. The way his jeans hug his fine ass has me biting my bottom lip so I don’t moan at the sight and embarrass myself.
“Ready!” I say behind him, causing him to spin around.
His eyes sweep down the length of my body, taking in my legs before slowly coming back up over the curve of my hips and the cleavage exposed by my dress’s neckline. “You aren’t making this easy for me.”
I blink at him in confusion. “Making what easy?”
“Saying fuck it about going out on a proper date and taking you to my room,” he says hoarsely. I’m surprised when he brings a hand to my cheek and adds, “You look so beautiful, Autumn.”
“Oh,” is all I can say as my heart is pounding in my chest.
He smiles at me and holds out a hand for me to take.“Shall we?” he says.
I nod and let him lead me through the front door, waiting as he locks up behind us. The country music flowing softly through the truck speakers has me looking over at him and I smile at the way his lips move to the music.
What would it be like to have him whisper the notes into my ear? The thought sends a shiver down my spine, which has him leaning forward to turn the heat on. I’m anything but cold, but I’m not about to admit that to him.
The drive to the restaurant is long and silent, with me gazing out the window and watching as he passes through traffic. My breathing is getting more difficult as he pulls off onto an exit ramp, clearly alerting me that we are getting closer to the restaurant. When he pulls into the parking lot of a large, dimly lit building, Easton helps me out of the truck and I take a second to calm my nerves.
Fingers crossed this night goes well.