Page 74 of Wilde Hearts

He chuckled as he placed his finger on my chin and lifted. Our gazes met, and I nearly melted once again, this time into a puddle on the ground. His smile faded as he grew serious.

“When can we go on our second first date?”

I raised my brows. “That depends on you. How fast can you plan the most amazing date I’ll ever have?”

Frowning, he said, “I should get to thinking.”

Patting his chest, I kissed him quickly once more and stepped away. “Damn right, you better start thinking.”

When he smiled, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I lifted my hand and waved. “I’ll see you around?”

He opened the door of his truck and replied, “You better believe it.”

I watched as he pulled out of the driveway and headed down the road. Once he’d turned, I smiled and had to keep myself from jumping around like a twelve-year-old with her first crush.

My fingers came up to my lips as I let the memory from moments earlier wash over me.

A throat cleared from behind me, and I turned to see my mother standing on the porch. When she smiled, I returned the gesture.

“Come on in, let’s have a cup of tea before you head home.”

I practically skipped up the steps toward her.

My mother laughed as she held her hands out for mine. “I hope you don’t make it too easy on him.”

“Mom, am I not your daughter?”

Winking, she replied, “Damn right, you are!”

Colt

I stepped out of the shower and looked at myself in the mirror. I didn’t get much sleep the night before because today was the day I was going to talk to my parents about Grady’s room. After I got home from Vivianne and Ladd’s house last night, I texted Ensley and told her that I wanted to talk to them as soon as possible before I changed my mind. So, today was the day.

I sighed as I closed my eyes and took in a few moments of silence. I could hear the windchimes in the tree out front, which my mother had hung just the other day. They used to hang outside my childhood bedroom window. I’d made one comment about how much I missed hearing them, and the next thing I knew, they were in the tree out front of the little cabin where I was staying.

Opening my eyes once again, I gave a firm head nod to my reflection. Ensley would be calling soon, and just knowing that she’d be with me made me breathe a bit easier.

As I dried myself, a knock on the cabin door had me turning to look out the bathroom door and through the small living room. Frowning, I picked up my watch and saw it was only seven in the morning. Ensley planned on coming over around nine.

I wrapped the towel around my waist and headed to the door, pulling back the blue-and-white checkered curtain my mother had hung, and smiled when I saw Ensley standing there. I had no idea why she was so early, but I wasn’t about to complain.

I unlocked the deadbolt and swung the door open just as she turned. Her eyes widened as they slowly traveled down my nearly naked body, then back up to meet my amused gaze. When she swallowed hard, I couldn’t help but tease her.

“Like what you see?” I asked with a wink.

“Liking your body was never a problem, Colt Owens.”

I laughed as I motioned her to come in. “What brings you by so early? I thought we said nine.”

She walked in, took off her coat, and handed it to me. I hung it up as she tossed her purse onto the sofa and started to pace the small living room.

“We did, but I couldn’t sleep last night, and then I woke up earlier than usual. I was going to work out, but then I thought I should just come straight over so we can figure out what we want—or what you want—to say to your parents. Then, once I got here, I thought maybe I should have worked out after all, because I feel as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Had I worked out, maybe all this nervous energy would be gone. Plus, you clearly weren’t ready for company, given the fact you’re only wearing a towel.”

I stared at her as she wrung her hands together and continued to pace.

“I mean, are you nervous? I don’t know why I am.” She rolled her eyes. “No, I do know why, it’s just— Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Because you’ve been talking nonstop since you walked in.”