Page 96 of Cautious Love

The guys from Claude’s Furniture bring in the couch and a new coffee table behind it, setting them in place. I’m going to replace the carpet, but it can wait because I’m considering ripping it out and finishing the wood floors.

“Thanks, guys.” I wave them off and hurry to get ready before Shiloh does.

Chapter 25

Shiloh

WhenIwalkoutof my room, Ledger is leaning against the wall in the hallway, opposite my door.

He stands up straight, and his eyes widen. Letting him get his fill, I brush my clammy hands over my milkmaid-style dress and keep messing with my hair. I found my dress at a resale shop and fell in love with it. It’s a light olive green that complements my eyes. It’s sleeveless and ties in the front. I like the way it sits across my chest, and the corset-like ties give it a little something extra in the back. But what sold me is the slit running up my leg that’s just enough, but not too high. I’m so short anything I’ve ever tried on with a slit goes too high, and I’d end up flashing everyone with every step.

No one has ever looked at me the way he does. A thought in the back of my mind pricks, and for a second I wonder if I’m into all of this because of the way he treats me. I’ve been struggling to trust myself, and it’s making me question everything.

“You look beautiful, Shy,” Ledger rasps.

My face feels hot, and I look away from his penetrating gaze. I swear the man sees right through me.

“Thanks,” I rasp.

He smiles and my stomach flutters. I stare at him for a moment. His hair is still slightly damp and swept back from his face, but it doesn’t look like he combed it into place. I like that he’s not all done up like I usually see him. He’s wearing his classic button-up, tucked into Wranglers that hug his thighs, with a leather belt and shiny buckle sitting at his waist.

“Ready?” he asks, taking a step toward me.

“Yeah,” I rasp, and he closes the small distance. I relent, backing into the wall. His free hand rests next to my head, and he stoops down as I tip my chin up.

He gazes down at me and I’m pretty sure there’s a whole swarm of bumblebees in my stomach. Everything feels warm and I can’t breathe.

Something crosses Ledger’s serious face, and he leans down to kiss me on the cheek before stepping back to let me pass.

I walk down the hall, stopping at the end of it, seeing the new couch and coffee table.

The window is still boarded up, and other furniture is still gone, but it doesn’t feel asexposingas it was.

I should have known Grey would do something. Granted, I thought he’d come for me, like he’d done in the past. I didn’t think he’d have the balls to threaten Ledger.

“What do you think?” Ledger asks from behind me.

“Looks comfy.”

“Good, I picked what they had stocked,” he says.

He heads for the kitchen, and I follow behind, spotting the candles in the center of the dining table with flowers next to them.

“Where did these come from?” I ask him.

He smiles softly. “I bought them for you.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“So they match my date,” he says with a glint in his eyes.

I bite my lower lip, trying to swallow my smile and hide the odd nervousness I’m feeling. Then again, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date.

“Can I get you something to drink? Beer, wine, whiskey?” he asks.

“Whiskey sounds good.”

Ledger turns and grabs a beer and a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. He pours the whiskey into a glass and hands it to me.