Page 42 of Mr. February

She cleared her throat before she bravely added, “But all I wanted was for you to see me as someone you might consider as more than a friend.”

Wade’s finger tipped up her chin so that he could look into her eyes.

“I always saw you for who you are. This trip has only reinforced that I was right. I see you, and I like what I see.”

Wade wanted to shout his excitement, but he tried to play it cool, so he didn’t scare her away. Holy shit, he felt like a king. King of the Nerds, even. Gone was the confident, sometimes cocky, guy who let most things roll off his back.

Women no longer stressed him out as much as when he was younger, but his interest in Jenny went beyond physical attraction. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to be with her. It had become difficult to hide how his feelings, and now he didn’t have to.

Within reason. She probably wasn’t ready for him to drop to one knee and declare his undying love. Obviously, he wasn’t ready for that yet, either. But he could imagine it. No, he needed to shut that thought down. It was way too soon.

Just because he could imagine a future with her was no reason to go off half-cocked andsayit. Even as he told himself to calm down, an image of his sisters gently teasing Jenny over familybrunch filled his mind. He envisioned his parents doting on her, giving her the familial support and affection she deserved.

“What are you smiling about?” Jenny asked.

“I’m happy to be here with you,” he answered quickly.

Jenny smiled shyly. He might not be the brightest when it came to women, but he knew to shut his mouth now. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away by getting serious too fast despite how easy it was to picture how well she’d fit into his life.

He cleared his throat and searched for something to say. His watch buzzed, which brought him back to the present. He bit back a sigh as he stood and reached out his hand to help Jenny up from the couch.

“What was that?” Jenny asked.

“It’s the reminder I set so we wouldn’t forget about the restaurant hop.”

“Oh, no, I need to get ready.”

Jenny tugged her hand loose, and Wade felt the loss of it. But there would be plenty of time for handholding and more. For now, he was glad Kyle bullied him into bringing something nicer to wear since this would be their first official date. Wouldn’t it?

“Before you disappear, can I get some clarification?”

Jenny stood poised outside her door and looked back at him.

“What’s up?”

“Us.” He gestured between the two of them and smiled. “We are an us, right? This isn’t just because we’re stuck together in this suite, and it’s convenient or something like that?”

“No.”

Wade’s face fell, and Jenny rushed to correct herself.

“No, it’s not convenient. That’s not what I meant. I mean, it’s not a convenience. Ugh, I’m saying this all wrong.”

She crossed back over to him, and this time, she took his hand first.

“I like you,” she said simply with a smile that caused Wade’s heart to thump faster. “A lot.”

“Me, too. Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

Jenny giggled.

“You mean to the group dinner we’re going to with a bunch of people from a work-related conference who already think we’re dating?”

“But we know it’s different. This would be our first date for real.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Then I’ll pick you up in about fifteen minutes.”

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