Page 59 of Second Time Around
“Of course.”
“When do you want me?”
Right now. Always. “Tomorrow night?”
“So soon?”
“Are you free?”
“I have to work until six o’clock.”
“I’ll plan dinner for seven.”
“I might need to go home and change first.”
“You can change here.”
“I guess so.”
“Oh, and bring a bathing suit.”
“What? Why?”
“I have a hot tub, remember?”
“I’m not getting into the hot tub with you.”
He heard the water sloshing around, and it reminded him of her nakedness. How he would love to see her like that… “The weather’s been perfect for it lately. The air is cool, but the water is warm, and it’s so relaxing, especially after being on your feet all day.”
“Stop trying to convince me.”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe.”
He chuckled again. “I promise to be on my best behavior. Besides, it’s not like I haven’t seen you in a swimsuit before.”
“Yeah, when we were teenagers!”
“You haven’t changed that much.” He appreciated her body even more now, but he refrained from saying so.
“I’ll think about it.”
He decided not to push his luck. “Okay. So I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”
“Sounds like it.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t say, ‘If you’re lucky.’”
She laughed, and he loved the sound of it. He hadn’t heard her laugh much since he’d been back, and he’d missed it.
Then, because he couldn’t resist, he added, “Don’t forget your bathing suit.”
“If you’re lucky,” she replied, and then she hung up before he could say another word.
Instead of feeling irritated that he’d been dismissed, he sat there with a stupid grin on his face because she’d said yes. Just like that, he was catapulted back in time to when he’d asked her to prom. She’d said yes then too, only it hadn’t ended the way he’d expected it to, with her in his arms.
This time, he vowed things would be different. He’d finally get the chance to explain what had really happened that night, and he wouldn’t screw it up. No matter how badly he wanted to kiss her again, he’d abide by her no-kissing rule—even if it killed him!
