Page 38 of Score on You

Callie:That’s another first for me.

Ridge:ditto

Callie:No way. You’ve dated before

Ridge:sure, but nothing serious. this is the first real relationship that counts

Callie:Oh, Ridge. That’s such a great answer.

Callie:And now I’ve decided something else.

Ridge:that sounds like trouble

Callie:Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. You need a nickname.

Ridge:other than Crusher or Carter?

Callie:Other people call you those. I want this one to be special between us like how you use sweetness for me.

Ridge:what’re you thinking?

Callie:It can’t be too cute since you’re so… masculine. Pookie Bear wouldn’t do you justice.

Ridge:you don’t think so?

Callie:Nope, especially when it could be shortened to Pooh.

Ridge:I dunno. seems fitting

Callie:We can do better. I’ll think on it. Until then, I should probably go to bed. I have the early shift tomorrow.

Ridge:one last question before you doze off

Callie:I’m here for it.

Ridge:how do you take your coffee?

There’s a noticeable bounce in my stride this morning. That extra pep seems to get more springy with each passing day. It’s no secret as to why.

The ongoing chat I have with Ridge is open on my screen. My boyfriend—cue an internal squeal—makes it a point to text me the moment he wakes up. Usually the context is romantic and flirty. As of late, a boldness is coming across from him. His most recent message had me blushing hard enough to spike a fever. I’m still recovering from what he typed. That unbalance hasn’t allowed me to form a worthy response.

Besides, the clock reminds me there isn’t time to waste for fantasizing. My shift starts in thirty minutes and to walk there takes me at least twenty.

I step out onto the porch, allowing the door to shut behind me. The keypad whirs to announce the deadbolt is locked. That secure confirmation sets me off down the stairs into the pleasant mid-March weather.

My forward motion screeches to a standstill when I see who’s parked in the driveway.

Ridge sits behind the wheel of his idling truck. The black paint glimmers from the sun. I shield my eyes from a particularly bright streak that threatens to blind me.

Meanwhile, he isn’t shy about letting his gaze devour me. His upper half leans out the window to get an unrestricted view. Green flames engulf his stare to burn the distance separating us. That hungry perusal licks along my skin, leaving heat behind. I tremble but my knees remain locked to keep me rooted on the spot.

Ridge tosses me a crooked smirk. “Hey, sweetness.”

“Hi… boyfriend.” My face bursts into a blaze and I duck my chin too late to hide the evidence.

Ridge releases a low groan that sounds like approval. “I was right.”

The embarrassment is chased off by that gravely tone. Our eyes meet and hold once I’m brave enough to peek. “About what?”

---