Page 54 of Once Smitten, Twice Shy

Juliet

Will’s truck is very high-tech—totally electric, he explained (an environmentally conscious man! another green flag!)—and very comfortable. As he drives me back to my apartment, I slouch against the window, sliding my palms along the soft upholstery.

I’m warm from my whiskey, from the pleasure of a night of flirty words and flirtier touches. Even if my heart’s aching just a little, remembering that beautiful compliment he paid me.

Because it wasn’t for me. That’s for the woman I’m helping him on his way toward finding.

I push the ache aside and focus on the joy, on the win that was tonight. That’s the datiest date I’ve been on in eight months. And I had the best time. After Fee slid a slice of flourless chocolate cake my way, I took dessert with me and we left our barstools to play darts (which I’m damn good at), then pool (which I’m not). Will, of course, demonstrated he was great at both, but at least at darts, I was just alittlebetter.

I won at darts, and that was thoroughly satisfying, but that wasn’t my biggest win of the night. Not once tonight did I feel the tug of panic that I used to when I thought about getting on dating apps, telling my sisters and friends I was considering putting myself back out there. Tonight, I felt safe. That was the best victory.

Will brings his truck to a stop in front of my apartment, then hits the blinkers. He’s out and around his car before I’ve even managed to open my door.

“Lady Juliet.” He offers his hand.

I smile and take it. “Duke Orsino. Such chivalry.”

He grins at me as I step down from the truck, then shuts the door behind me. The truck chirps twice when he locks it.

I pull my hand away, now that I’m safely on the ground, steeling myself for a well-behaved goodbye. Even though I want to kiss him so much, it’s all I can think about, like a movie playing in my mind’s eye.

“I’ll walk you up,” he says.

I stop outside my building’s door and turn to face him. “You don’t have to. No knee wobbles tonight. Even after my acrobatic attempt at a behind-the-back pool shot.”

His grin deepens. “Thatwasimpressive.”

“Right? The only shot I made! Go figure.”

I stare up at him, and silence falls between us.

I’m head-to-toe need, terrified that I’m going to act on it again. We haven’t talked about the fact that we kissed since it happened last Sunday, but we don’t have to. We both know kissing like that is dangerous territory.

The warm night wind picks up, swirling around us, rustling the trees in their tidy dirt squares staggered down the block. “Well,” I say, fiddling with my keys, “we did it. Another excellent practice date in the books.”

He’s still staring down at me, but now his grin is nowhere to be seen. “Any feedback for me? You asked me at the pub, but I forgot to ask you.” He rolls his shoulders and his spine, like he’s steeling himself. “Be honest. I can take it.”

You were perfect, I want to tell him.And even when you weren’t, that was perfect, too.

Instead, I peer up in thought, tapping my chin. “A solid performance, overall. Flirting and compliments were strong, ‘cute-cumber’ line notwithstanding.” I wink so he knows I’m teasing.

He shrugs. “I’m a farmer. A veggie-pun pickup line was too hard to resist.”

“I’d like to point out that we’re talking about a cucumber and I’m nottouchingthat innuendo.”

His mouth quirks, but still no grin. “You aren’ttouchingit?”

I fight a laugh. “You couldn’t resist your veggie pun. I couldn’t resist a little innuendo about not indulging in innuendo. We’re all works in progress.”

Will nods slowly. “What about when we played darts and pool? What did you think of that?”

“I think that went pretty well. Though maybe let a gal win a game of pool—she’s got a fragile ego.”

That grin finally returns. “And here I thought she’d hate it if she knew I was holding back.”

I would, I think.I loved that you didn’t hide your strength because it wasn’t one of mine.

I’m staring up at him, and I shouldn’t be, but it’s so hard, to end this night when I don’t want to. To be on my best behavior and ignore the raging heat burning through me as our gazes hold.

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