Page 63 of Inked Heart
I type back quickly.
Me:Yes.Unless you changed your mind.
Three dots appear almost immediately.
Damien:Already packing the truck.
A smile spreads across my face before I can stop it.That’s ...nice.Really nice.
And suddenly the thought of sitting in my house all day thinking about Emette feels a lot less appealing than spending time outside with Damien.I throw the blankets off and climb out of bed.
Picnic it is.
****
An hour later I’m standingin front of my closet trying to decide what exactly someone wears to a not-technically-a-date picnic with a guy who admitted he likes you.Which is a sentence I never expected to think in my lifetime.
My brain is deeply unhelpful.Because every option suddenly feels like it sends some kind of message.Too fancy.Too casual.Too obvious.Too confusing.
Finally I settle on a simple sundress.Light blue and comfortable.Normal.Nothing that screamsI’m overthinking this.Which I absolutely am.
I pull my hair into a loose braid and grab my sandals just as my phone buzzes again.
Damien:Outside.
That was fast.I take one last look in the mirror.
You can do this, Quinn.It’s just a picnic, not a marriage proposal.
I smile at my reflection and head outside.Damien’s truck is parked at the curb in front of my house and he’s leaning against the side of it when I step onto the porch.My car is safely in its usual spot and I wonder who he asked to help him get it there.
And the moment he sees me, he smiles.That small, quiet smile of his.
“Good morning,” he says.
“Good morning.”I walk down the steps.“You’re punctual.”
“You said yes.”
“Good point.”
His eyes briefly scan my outfit before returning to my face.“You look nice.”
My cheeks warm slightly.“Thanks.”
“Are you ready?”
“Sure.”
He opens the passenger door for me again.Apparently this is a thing he does.And honestly?I don’t hate it.
The truck smells faintly like coffee and fresh bread when I climb inside.
“Is that...”
“Sandwiches.”
“You brought food.”
