Page 196 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

His eyes widen to the point I’m concerned about them landing on the floor.

“You finally got the nerve to talk to hot ass man!”

An elderly woman…yells. It’s too loud to be a whisper and not quite loud enough for the people outside to hear. And Malcolm looks like he wants to vanish into a hole.

“He was just leaving.”

He tilts his head in a silent message for me to go, but I’m stuck on the fact I’m hot-ass man.

“I was just leaving. Right. See you tomorrow, Malcolm.”

Stuffing the paper with his address into my pocket, I wink at the old lady on my way by.

Look out world, Caleb is hot ass man. I don’t know why that pleases me so much, but it does.

Before I leave, I glance over my shoulder to find both of them watching me. It’s Malcolm’s turn for embarrassment and he turns his head quickly.

Something tells me I’m in trouble with this date. And it’s the good kind.

Chapter 5

Malcolm

“Damn old lady Green for embarrassing me. Can you believe that?”

Screech blinks his enormous yellow eyes, clearly agreeing with me. I can’t believe she came in while Caleb was there and told him what I called him. You just can’t trust old people, can you?

Thankfully, Caleb seemed pleased about it. He didn’t come over with a coffee this morning, but he had a line up outside the shop doors when I arrived. Probably people heading into the maple festival early and needing their caffeine while they walked around in the chilly March air.

Or maybe they’d heard old lady Green shout about Caleb’s hot ass and they flocked to his place to confirm it.

It’s not a lie. He does have a great ass. And a really cute smile when he’s nervous. Although I don’t know why he’s nervous around me. I’m just a guy who owns a bookstore. I’m thirty-seven years old, single and own a cat. I wear khakis and long sleeve shirts to work, even in the summertime and I’m nothing special to look at.

“He’ll be here in an hour, Screech. Do you think this shirt is okay?”

Screech pauses and looks my way, canned food stuck to his nose and an expression that says, ‘I’m eating, please hold your questions.’

“Sorry I asked. Continue, your highness.”

Caleb is tall and muscular. He even told me he works out. My idea of a workout is carrying my groceries inside all in one trip. That’s harder than most people think, so don’t knock it.

Smoothing my hair one final time and sticking with the dress pants and red button down I chose, I assure myself he was interested in me when I wore clothes that were half as nice. I look good. He’ll like it.

“It is good right?”

Screech, now cleaning his paws, stops mid lick. Again he gives me a look that conveys he’s annoyed with my speaking and I sigh.

“Fine. I’ll just pace until Caleb gets here, then.”

But I don’t have time to because the crunching of gravel under tires and the thunk of a car door closing sends my heart racing.

When there’s a knock on the door, I freeze.

Hot ass guy is here.

Get a grip, Malcolm. He has a name.

With a breath I open the door and there’s Caleb with…a bouquet?

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