Page 29 of Fumbled Beginning

“Doesn’t every man?”

“Cute.” I poked him in the arm.

“That’s what the ladies call me.”

“Oh, my God.”

“They say that a lot too.”

“Shut up,” I said, clicking on a Morgan Wallen song. I immediately started singing and dancing in my seat.

JP reached over and turned the volume up.

“Is this one of your favorite songs?” I asked, unrolling the window for some fresh air.

“No, I just can’t concentrate with your horrible singing.”

I swatted his leg. “That’s not very nice and my singing isn’t that bad.”

“Has no one ever told you that before?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like I go singing in public every day. I mostly sing in the shower.”

He smirked. “Now that I would like to see.”

I shook my head, trying to fight my smile. “I’m sure you would.”

The rest of the drive was filled with fun banter and critiquing each other on our music tastes. When we pulled onto the familiar street, I bent my head in confusion.

“You brought me to your house for our first date?” I gave him a sideways glance.

“Trust me, okay.” He winked and stepped out of the car.

“Let me guess,” I teased as he reached for my hand. “We’re going straight to your bedroom?”

He laughed and linked our fingers together. “In your dreams.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. He led me around the back of the house, and my mouth dropped open. String lights wrapped around the trees, a small fire burned in the middle of the yard, and tiki lights lined a small table with two chairs.

I did not expect this. I assumed he would take me to a fancy restaurant with overpriced food and small portions. He would flash his smile at everyone who approached him and spend the entire night trying to impress me.

“You did all this?” I asked, spinning around to take it all in.

For the first time since I met JP, I saw a shy smile creep onto his handsome face. “I didn’t want our first date to be in a restaurant where there would be a noisy bar and there wouldn’t be any privacy.” He looked away, unsure, and I had a sudden urge to kiss him. “I guess you could say I’m selfish and I wanted you all to myself tonight.”

Do not fall for this man, I repeated over and over in my head.

“I love it.” I smiled, putting him at ease. “It’s perfect.”

“Hold on, I’ll be right back.” He rushed into the house and emerged a few minutes later, carrying something in his hands.

I stared at the charcuterie board with olives, assorted cheeses, meats, nuts, and fruit. JP pulled out my chair, and I smiled up at him. “Pulling out all the stops tonight, huh?”

“I have to win you over somehow.” His eyes met mine, and I tried not to lean too far into his touch as his fingers caressed my back.

“So far, you’re doing pretty good.” I crossed my legs while he poured me a glass of wine. “This is pretty romantic. I’m impressed.”

“Then I guess my plan is working. And just so we are clear, you are the only woman I’d go to all this trouble for.”

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