Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
ELLE
Do you know how fucking hard it is to decide on dinner when the person who you’re supposed to have dinner with gives you zero opinions on what to eat? Really fucking hard. So damn hard, you’ll be forced to text your oldest sister—who you had just threatened with will removal—to get suggestions.
Mabel was too cocky about the fact I was asking for help, too.
I swear, I almost cracked a tooth with how hard I had to clench my jaw while she rambled on about how “Our grumpy little Elle was growing up and going to get dicked down.” I almost threw my phone out the window when she cracked up laughing at the unholy screech that left me when she suggested that.
My sister was a menace to society but, damnit, I needed her help.
Even if I knew Patrick could and should do better, I was looking forward to seeing him outside of our jobs.
Sure, we went on that hike together but my sisters and Jude, basically another brother, were there and it’s not like we even talked to each other.
No, this would be good. I hoped it would be good.
I had decided on pizza because who didn’t like pizza? Half cheese and half pepperoni for options. As I made my way to Patrick’s front door, I rolled my lips over my teeth wondering if I should have picked something else to wear.
I looked down at my casual sweater, leggings and sneakers, worried it was too relaxed. Sure, we were just going to be at this apartment but this was, technically, our first date but my day to day looks were fancier than this.
There was also a small voice in the back of my mind whispering that my leggings hugged my legs too tightly and showed off too much. That my sweater was too boxy and made me look shapeless. There was no way Patrick would like me once he saw all my insecurities on full display.
That voice was a cunt.
With all these thoughts in my head, I was ready to leave the pizza at his front door, knock, and run home with my tail tucked between my legs but the door swung open before I had a chance to make a decision.
My Intruder leaned against his door jam with his sexy arms crossed, his postage stamps on full display. He was smiling and looking at him, I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
I’d seen many of Patrick’s smiles but I’d never seen this smile. This one was new and completely focused on me. It was the best thing I’d ever seen.
I let out a breathy greeting and Patrick chuckles, he takes the pizza box from my hands and leans down, kissing the corner of my mouth. “Hi, sweetheart.” Damn this man. I was going to have to see a cardiologist if he kept my heart pounding like this.