Page 26 of Her Inconvenient Wedding Date

Taking one last look at myself in the mirror, I shake my arms to get the nerves out.This is Hunter,I reassure myself.My nerdy, kind, and supportive friend who is now my hot husband.

I groan and throw my hands in the air. It’s too late. I might as well wave a white flag because I have no idea how I’m going to get through this evening… or the next three months.

Throwing caution to the wind and all my sense into the depths of the sea, I run to the door. As soon as I open it and see Hunter standing on the other side, my anxiety melts away. What is it with this man? One smile from him, and I’m like a flower in bloom. A giddy feeling rises in my chest, making me grin like a fool. I have to use all my self-control to not swoon and bat my lashes like some lovesick teenager in the presence of her crush. Ugh. Maybe it’s all those romance books I’ve been reading. They’ve turned me soft! I’m seriously going to suggest we read a dystopian story at our next book club meeting.

“You look amazing, Lil. This is for you.”

My jaw drops as Hunter presents me with a plate of cookies that he'd hidden behind his back. The scents of sugar and butter fill my nose as I inhale deeply. I bite into an oatmeal raisin one, delighted to find out it’s still warm. “Did you just bake these? Hunter, you’ve outdone yourself! There are like four different kinds of cookies here.”

“The base is more or less the same for all of them. I just added in different mix-ins. Do you like it?”

I sigh happily. “Yes! You weren’t kidding about us eating dessert first. I’m going to be so spoiledby you.”

He grins and presents his arm for me to take. “That’s kind of the idea. Come on, let’s get this date started.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the backyard. I hope you don’t mind doing something different.”

“Different is cool. I’ve had my share of dinner dates at Chinese restaurants for a while.”

“I promise you there will be no slideshows or inquisitions involved tonight.”

“I like the sound of that. Lead the way!”

He takes me down the hall and through the rest of the single-story house until we reach the back door. Opening it, he gestures for me to go first. It’s already dark outside, but there are bright lights strung up along the roof and wrapped around the trunk of a small tree. Flames dance in the fire pit at the center of the space, creating an inviting glow. But the highlight of the yard is the comfiest-looking swing chair. It’s shaped like an egg with large blue cushions that I can’t wait to sink my body into.

I kick off my heels and run across the grass, then plop myself down. The swing rocks back and forth as I lean back and gaze up at the starry sky. “I’ve always wanted one of these! It’s the perfect place to read—whoa!”

“What’s wrong?” Hunter’s about to sit down beside me, but he stops when I stand up. With a goofy grin, he says, “I promise I don’t have cooties. I got those taken care of in middle school.”

“It’s not that; I can handle some cooties. But we can’t both fit on this swing at the same time. I’m sure there’s a weight limit.”

“We’ll be fine.” He pats the spot beside him. “Have a seat.”

I place my hands on my hips and shake my head. “You’reprobably used to dainty, petite women sitting with you, but I have curves, if you haven’t noticed.”

“I’ve noticed.” His voice is so low, it practically hums. “Trust me, Lil, I’ve noticed. Please sit down.”

To my surprise, I stop fighting and do as I’m told. There’s no denying that I’ve fallen hopelessly and completely under his spell. I’ve got a case of Hunteritis, and I have it bad. I love the confident way he talks and the assurance he gives me that I can trust him. And I actually do. Slowly and carefully, I resume my place on the swing. Only after I’ve put my full weight on it do I breathe again. “I guess you were right.”

“What was that?”

“I said you were—” I cut myself off when I notice the smirk playing on his lips. “Did you pretend to not hear me so I’d have to say it again?”

“Say what again?”

I roll my eyes. “Just because you look cute when you’re pretending to be innocent doesn’t mean I’m going to fall for that trick.”

He sticks out his lower lip, a look that is so ridiculously adorable for a grown man his size. Sighing, he replies, “Fine. I know you’re too smart to fall for my antics. But I did get you to admit that you think I’m cute.”

Ugh, I did, didn’t I?Choosing to avoid his gaze, I look up at the sky and try to sound nonchalant. “It’s not exactly a secret. I was stating a well-known fact, like how the moon is round tonight.”

“It’s actually in the waning gibbous phase where it’s transitioning from a full moon to a half-moon.”

“Is that right? I do love it when you talk nerdy to me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

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