Page 75 of Love's Bloom
“We can. How about letting me take you out tomorrow night for dinner?”
Misty smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Let me walk you to your car. It looks like Hazel will be here a while longer.”
“She told me earlier that Mike was going to take her home.”
Misty and David left the restaurant and walked to Misty’s car, which was parked behind the commercial strip.
David waited while she unlocked the door, and when she turned to face him, he asked quietly, “May I?”
Smiling, she lifted her face to his.
As his lips met hers, she let out a soft moan. This was what she wanted. This is what she needed.
When they pulled apart, David smoothed her hair away from her cheeks and stared at her. “I know it’s early, and maybe you’re not ready, but I’m falling in love with you. I have been for a long time. I’ll be patient, but I need to know if you want this, too.”
“Yes,” she sighed happily.
“Then, that’s what we’ll do.” He hugged her. “I’m good at growing things, even relationships.”
She chuckled. “I’m counting on that.”
###
As Misty pulled into her driveway, she was still floating with happiness. David was the man she wanted in her life, now and in the future.
Her cell phone beeped, and thinking it might be him saying goodnight, she clicked on the text message: “You’re going to pay for your nosiness! I’ll make sure of it!”
All romantic thoughts fled as fear wove through her. She didn’t recognize the number, but she was pretty sure it was from Harley. She surveyed the area around her and looked up as a truck sped away. The thought that it might’ve been Harley had her running to her front door and working fast with the alarm to get inside.
Sugar, excited as always to greet her, helped to steady her nerves as she let the dog outside and then quickly reset the alarm.
She got into her pajamas, and feeling a bit silly, she practiced some of the karate moves David had shown her.
###
The next morning, Misty awoke with a sense of anticipation. Crystal and Emmett were coming home from Paris, and later, she was going out with David. It was bound to be a nice, full day.
She snuggled with Sugar and then sat on the back deck while Sugar spent time in the woods. Braver now, Sugar drank water from the creek and then went back to sniffing and exploring.
Sipping her coffee, Misty was content to sit and watch her.
Her cell phone rang.Hazel.
“Hi! Did you have fun last night?” Misty asked her.
“I did, but it’s a good thing you left. JoEllen got into a big fight with Harley at Jake’s. Harley was furious that JoEllen had dumped him, and he blamed you for interfering in his life. Dani and Brad convinced Harley to leave, and Mike dropped JoEllen off at her cabin before taking me home. I thought you’d want to know to stay clear of them both.”
“Thanks for alerting me. The situation between them is a mess. I’m going to stay out of it. Now, what are you doing today?”
Mike and Ross are going into Portsmouth, and Melissa and I are going with them. We’ll have lunch and look around while they take care of some business. How are things with David?
Misty felt her lips curve. “He and I have decided to grow our relationship.”
Hazel chuckled. “Very appropriate. You two are great together.”
“I’m happy that we’re working on it,” said Misty. “Thanks for the warning about Harley. I got a text message last night that I’m pretty sure came from him. So, believe me, I’m on the alert.”
