Page 72 of The Charming Checklist
“Let’s drive along the coast, with the top down!”
“Why not.”
Admittedly, he’d never taken her for a drive with the top down, even though the weather had been perfect lately. Sunny, mild, light breezes. No red morning skies. Just beautiful blue. Not much rain expected until later this month, he’d checked. Even so, while Ava ran inside for a few things, and just before he rolled down the top, he checked again. Yep, weather good. Time for a little romance.
They drove down the coastal road as the sun began its slide down the horizon. Ava held his hand. He’d pulled out a Cowboys hat and she had one of those silk kerchief things tied around her chin. Dark glasses completed the 1950s movie star look, and she looked for all the world like a cover girl. She took his breath. He’d dated beautiful women in the not-so-distant past, but none like Ava. All those other women knew they were gorgeous and used that currency for everything it was worth. They’d toyed with him, speaking in hushed whispers and sophisticated tones. Underneath, there had been nothing of substance. He’d grown sick of it fast.
He pulled over at a lookout spot and he and Ava settled on the top of the back seats. Pulling her between his legs, they watched the sun slide down. She nestled into him, her head near his neck, eliciting strong pulls of lust.
The surf kicked up. A seagull squawked.
Romantic.
“I’m so glad we did this,” she said lazily in his arms.
“Good timing. The weather is perfect. I checked.”
“You did?”
“Ava, it’s November in Texas. It could rain.”
“Oh, yeah. Not a good idea to go for a drive with the top down, huh?”
“Exactly. Some things have to be planned. Would you have made it through Princeton without some planning?”
“I have planned. That was my life for the first twenty-one years, even if the plans were mostly madeforme. Now I want to enjoy my life and just take it as it comes.”
“Well, you won’t be in business for long that way.”
She stiffened. “I will plan in business, how’s that? But the rest of my life, well, I want to go away on some weekends. Go on bike rides and sailboats. Learn how to cook French cuisine. Get a dog. I’ve already danced on tables and dated handsome men.”
“Huh?”
She turned to him, a ray of moonlight catching in her blond hair, reminding him of the first night he’d kissed her. He’d known even then his world would never be the same again.
“What I mean is, I... I’m falling in love with you.”
“That’s...that’s good.”
The warmth of those words hit him unexpectedly. He’d been having some of the same thoughts in recent days. Thoughts that this relationship, thisdating, wasn’t business as usual. That this situation between them was one of those love affairs that took people by surprise. He never thought it would happen to him.
She continued to face him, eyes riveted to his, and it had to be difficult spilling her heart out.
“I love the way you take care of your friends. Your loyalty and friendship. I love that you’re not afraid to tell the truth at any time. I love how you’re this big bad alpha guy who could have any woman he wants but you want something real.”
She went on reciting character details that made it sound as though she were talking about another person. Someone amazing and altruistic. Like...the Pope. She saw him in a way he’d never managed to see himself. Because she hadn’t seen every side of him yet. She hadn’t seen the part of him that tended to obsess over plans, who pushed hard to be better than anyone else, smarter than anyone else. That man would probably annoy her. He annoyed himself half the time.
“You’re making me sound like a saint. I’m no saint, Ava.”
“Oh, I know you’re not. Believe me.” She fixed him with that sultry look of hers that made him want to rip every piece of clothing off her. With his teeth.
“I’m falling for you, too.” And this was the truth.
Her eyes were warm, and he knew he’d scored a touchdown. Straight into the end zone, flying over everything and everyone in the way.What was that, coach? A ball or a meteor?
“What do you love about me?”
“Well, I love that you’re no angel.” He chuckled.
