Page 50 of His North Star
“Good. And if that doesn’t work out”—a gleeful smile appeared—“maybe it’s time you give Ty a chance.”
“What?” I shrieked.
“Something to consider is all.” She took her pile of folded towels to the rolling cart, then walked out the door with a Cheshire grin.
CHAPTER 14
I called James every night at nine on the dot. There was nothing spontaneous about the rigid schedule. But I didn’t know how else to convey I wanted more. Half the time, James never answered. He’d text the next morning and say he was sorry he missed me, but never really explained why. Maybe he was too tired or didn’t think I’d care? Maybe he was on other dates? Either way, he told me he’d come kayaking on Wednesday so we could have our second official date. I debated on accepting at first, because it was also the night Ty came over for dinner. Since I couldn’t have Ty the way I wanted, and I was trying to prove to James I was all in (and worthy of him), I rescheduled with Ty and told James to come over when I got off work in the afternoon.
I sat at my dining room table eating lunch and texted James.
Me:Not to be super annoying or anything, but you’re for sure coming today, right?
I’d become the insecure girlfriend (girlfriend was probably a stretch). Not a good look for me, or anyone, really.
James:Not to sound like a broken record, but YES.
Me:What’s the plan if work calls?
I bit my lip, awaiting his response. Over a month had passed since we’d seen one another, which was crazy. We only lived thirty minutes apart. Was it really so hard to find even an hour together? Yes. Yes, it was.
James:I don’t answer.
Me:Won’t you get in trouble?
James:I’m willing to take that chance.
Me:I don’t want you to get in trouble.
James:I’m yours for the night. No interruptions. Cross my heart.
Me:[heart eyes emoji]
I grinned. He was actually coming! I was kissing him tonight, no matter what.
After playing on the lake, I would make James dinner, then we would set up my telescope. Which he asked for. Not once had a previous boyfriend done that.
Why wouldn’t you want to see what secrets the universe held? Or you know, take an interest in what I liked to do? Even Ty didn’t support me in my astrophile tendencies. James acted as excited as a kid at Christmas when I’d said yes.
I groaned, thinking about greeting James. Would I behave like a puppy? So overjoyed when its owner came home that I mauled him? I took a deep, calming breath.No animal behavior, Maren.He gets enough of that at work.
I changed five times—ridiculous, considering we were kayaking. Finally deciding on a swimsuit, I slipped on my maroon tankini with the ruched, crisscrossed top, then pulled my hair up in a topknot, ready to greet James—I tapped my smart watch—in seven minutes.
Nerves whipped around in my stomach. I paced the living room, checking the time every ten seconds. Two minutes later, I sat on the couch, my toes tapping at a clipped pace. At exactly four, I stood and paced again.
Please don’t be late again.
Thirty seconds later, my doorbell buzzed. My hands brushed the lace, knee-length swimsuit cover I wore. I inhaled three deep breaths before opening the door. My breath stopped at the same time my heart went into overdrive.
“Hey,” James said with a smile.
My knees shook. I’d forgotten. Utterly and completely forgotten how attractive he was. Pictures did not do his real-life form justice.
I fisted his shirt, yanking him inside and slamming my door behind him. Pushing him up against the entryway wall, I jumped into his unsuspecting arms. In my exuberance, my forehead slammed into his cheek and my lips against his jaw. I was aiming for his lips. Oops!
“Ow!” he moaned.
His hands scrambled to grab ahold of me. Not finding purchase, his fingers slid down my swimsuit cover up. Still holding onto his shirt, I ended up pulling him down with me as we fell in a tangled heap on the floor.
