Page 49 of Perfect Date
When he climbs in on his side, I compliment, “Nice truck.”
“Thanks, I love it. Going mudding in it is one of my favorite things to do. You ever been?”
“No, never.”
“I’ll have to take you some time,” he says causally as he starts the engine and waits for me to buckle up before we take off. He has no idea what his casual invitation does to me. It’s effortless for him, like the fact we will get together again is a no-brainer. It makes me feel… happy.
“It’s a beautiful day for a picnic,” Justin says as we drive through town.
The windows are down, and there’s a nice breeze that makes the hair framing my face tickle my cheeks.
“What gave you the idea?” I ask curiously.
“I saw the forecast and knew we needed to do something outside. The park I’m taking you to is one of my favorites. Plus, after all your dates at the bar, I thought maybe something relaxed and low key would be best.”
“I like low key, it’s a perfect idea.”
“Good,” he looks at me as we come to a stop and shoots me a bright smile. There’s a twinkle in his eyes and I think he looks happy too. “Besides, you’re still recovering from the last eventful date I took you on,” he grimaces.
“You’re being dramatic. I’m fine.”
“You had to get stitches,” he says and the frustration in his tone is clear.
“Well, at least it will always be…memorable?”
“There are other ways I would have liked to make that date memorable, sweetheart,” he says and I get tingles. Every. Freaking. Where.
My breath hitches for a moment, but I push past it, not wanting to give in to the nerves I feel, worried they’ll make me a blubbering fool. “My stitches are out already, they didn’t even need to stay in long,” I automatically finger the small butterfly bandage at my brow. “It could have been much worse.”
“It was bad enough,” he grumbles and then messes with the dial on his stereo system until music plays from the speakers, giving background noise.
“So, I haven’t asked you what you think of Mason Creek? You think you’re here to stay?”
“I mean, yeah, for now at least. I have no idea what the future holds, but as of right now I have no intention of going anywhere.”
“That’s good. And you’re liking your job?”
“Yeah, I am. My uncle is great of course, but beyond that he’s created a culture at the practice that I really like. The people I work with are great, and the patients are too. They all have some story to tell me, or a person they think I should meet, or want to know everything about me when they’re in my chair.”
“Ah, yes. The good ‘ol Mason Creek gossip mill. You’ll find out interesting things about yourself you never knew.”
That makes me laugh out loud, “Sounds about right. It really is pretty crazy. I had no idea gossip could move that fast.”
“I’m pretty sure some of the pillars of the community have a phone tree they activate when good information they deem worth sharing needs to be relayed immediately.”
“Wonder what one has to do to be part of that tree?” I ask teasingly.
“Better be careful what you say.”
Chuckling, I ask, “What about you? I’m sure since you work behind the bar so much you must hear some good stuff as well.”
“You have no idea. For example, one time, I heard about this gorgeous girl that moved to town to work for her uncle. Everyone was talking about how they suddenly had the need to get their teeth cleaned – regardless of when they last had - so they could get a good look at her.”
“Stop it,” I stare at him open mouthed, “That’s not true.”
“Think what you want, sweetheart, but the moment you came through the doors of my restaurant I was certain I knew who you were. The descriptions were quite vivid.”
“That’s very embarrassing.”
