Page 21 of The Perfect Distraction

Is he flirting with me now? “I don’t know. It’s kind of a long walk from your house to mine,” she teased.

“I think I can handle it.”

But can I? “What time?”

“Six o’clock?”

“I’ll be ready.” Yeah, right!

“Don’t eat dinner. We’ll grab something downtown.”

“Okay.”

“See ya later.”

“See ya,” she said. After she hung up the phone, she stared at it for a moment. What had just happened? Was this a date? NO! Don’t be ridiculous!It’s two neighbors sharing a meal together. That’s all.

But later that afternoon, after trying on five different outfits, she decided it definitely felt like a date. She hadn’t felt this nervous in a long time, not even when she’d gone on her first date with Christopher. Perching on the edge of her bed in her bra and panties, she pondered why that was. Maybe it was because she’d known Christopher as a colleague before they’d gone out. In this situation, she hardly knew Colton at all.

Glancing down at her watch, her eyes widened. “Okay. That’s it! Put some clothes on!” It was already five forty-five, and even though she’d done her hair and makeup earlier, she still wasn’t dressed. She opted for a pair of white cropped jeans, a light-blue and white striped top, and white sandals. Surveying herself in the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, she decided it would do. The outfit was comfortable and casual—her usual preference—and it didn’t draw unnecessary attention. It was perfect for having dinner with a neighbor or a friend, and it was decidedly un-date-like.

The only thing that looked different about her was her hair, which she’d left down. As a teacher, she mostly wore it in a ponytail or a bun to keep it off her face, and she’d been doing the same thing this summer. However, tonight, her honey-blonde hair curled slightly over her shoulders, her long bangs curving gracefully off to the side. She was a minimalist when it came to makeup, but she’d swiped on a rosy blush and added an extra coat of mascara that made her hazel eyes pop.

She was doing one last turn in the mirror when she heard a knock on the side door. He was early. Taking a deep breath, she left her bedroom and walked downstairs to answer the door. This is not a date, this is not a date, she chanted silently. But when she swung open the door, she knew she was wrong.

Colton stood on the porch with his hands jammed into the front pockets of his khaki shorts and an apprehensive look on his face. Giving him a sweeping glance, she noticed he was wearing a collared polo shirt and topsiders. His sandy-brown hair had been smoothed into place, and she detected a whiff of his clean, fresh scent. He was wearing cologne—an indication that this was a date if ever there was one.

“Good evening,” he said.

“Good evening,” she replied, stifling a laugh at their formality.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Um-hmm. Let me grab my purse.”

She had to step out of sight to collect her purse from the living room, and she used the time to catch her breath. She was a sucker for a well-dressed man who wore cologne. While her youngest sister, Brooke, was drawn to the bad boys with their longish hair, scruffy beards, and ripped jeans, she was the opposite. She liked her men clean and lean.

“All set,” she said, coming back into the kitchen. Maybe Colton had used the moment to calm down too as he appeared more relaxed than when he’d first walked in. Smiling, he opened the door for her, and she carefully slipped past him, making sure not to brush against him on the way out.

As they walked down the narrow sidewalk toward town, Beth began to feel more relaxed too. The eighty-degree day had turned into a perfect summer night with cooler temperatures and a slight breeze. Flowers bloomed everywhere, overflowing the flower boxes on front porches and along the sidewalks, their sweet scent filling the air. She was becoming more attached to the place with each day and wished that it wouldn’t have to come to an end.

“What do you feel like eating?” Colton asked once they’d reached the business district. The streets were bustling with people lining the sidewalks and meandering in and out of the shops and restaurants.

“How about the pub?” she said, pointing across the street. There were still a couple of empty tables outside, and it would be the perfect place to eat and people-watch until the music started.

“Sounds good,” Colton said. When they reached the busy crosswalk, he placed his hand lightly on her back.

The feeling startled her at first, but after they’d crossed and he’d dropped his hand, she missed the contact. It had been a long time since she’d been touched by a man, and she hadn’t realized how much she craved it until then.

She reined in the thought as they were seated at an outdoor table, reminding herself that it wouldn’t do any good to think of Colton that way. He was her neighbor and the father of her summer student, and that was all he ever could be. Her sisters would probably argue that it’d be perfectly acceptable for her to have a summer fling; however, she wasn’t that type. She didn’t do casual relationships. She’d had two long-term relationships, and that was it. Although, maybe that was part of her problem. Maybe she was too serious and uptight to have a fling. Maybe she should be more open-minded…

“Can I get you something to drink?” the waitress asked, interrupting her train of thought.

Colton waited for her to order first, and after a short internal debate, she opted for a raspberry margarita in lieu of water or soda. Why not? I’m on vacation!

Colton ordered a Guinness, and after the waitress walked away, he leaned forward and said, “Thanks for coming out with me tonight.”

He looked so sincere that she warmed under his gaze. “Thanks for asking me.”