Page 11 of More Than a Hero
Angie laughed, her amusement bubbling over in a way that made his stomach tighten. Then, as if she sensed his discomfort, she reached out, her fingertips lightly pressing against his forearm. The warmth of her touch shot through him like a live wire.
"At least, since we now know that we have something happening on the same night each week, you can check your schedule and let me know if or when you’d?—"
“Do you trust me to call this time?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” she declared with surety. “Because now you know that I’ll be waiting by the phone.” She turned to walk toward the lobby.
"How about tomorrow?" The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them.
She stilled and turned back toward him, her smile wide. She blinked, her chin jerking back slightly. "Tomorrow?" she squeaked.
His heart fell. "Oh, it’s Friday night. You probably have plans."
"No, I don’t have any plans. And I would love to take you up on a dinner invitation for tomorrow night."
Relief flooded his body so fast he was surprised he remained standing. "That’s perfect, Angie. Good. Yeah, that’s perfect."
She laughed again, and he swore it was the best sound he’d ever heard. "Well, since we have a date, how about a time and place?"
He hadn’t even thought that far. It should be someplace nice. Maybe somewhere she could get a glass of wine. Wasn’t there a new Italian place in Baytown?
"Do you like barbecue?" she asked, breaking through his inner debate.
His head jerked slightly in surprise. "Absolutely."
"How about the barbecue place just outside Baytown on the highway? I’ve only been there once, but I really liked it. It’s Friday night, so it might get a little loud, but the food is good, and we can’t beat barbecue and beer."
His brain short-circuited. Barbecue and beer… perfect. She had just made this the easiest first date ever. He nodded. "Can I pick you up?"
She tilted her head slightly, considering. "Tell you what, Pete. I think we’re going to have a great time. But for a first date, I want to put you at ease. I’ll meet you there, and if we have a good time, we’ll make more plans. And if one of us doesn’t feel a connection, then we don’t have an awkward drive home."
She leaned in just a fraction closer, her smile now giving her an impish look. "But I have a feeling we’ll have a fabulous time."
His heart thudded in response, a bead of sweat slipping down his back. He wanted to argue, to insist on picking her up, but her logic was sound. And right now, he’d agree to anything just to make sure he didn’t screw this up.
"Okay, how about six o’clock?"
"I’ll be there. And if something happens and you can’t make it, you’ve got my number."
Thinking quickly, he pulled out his phone, found her number, and texted her. "There. Now you have my number, too."
She squeezed his arm lightly, her smile still brightening the hallway. "I’ll see you tomorrow."
His chest felt lighter than it had in a long time.
With that, she turned and hurried toward the exit, and he watched her go. With the faster pace, a slight limp was still evident. He had no idea why, but all he could focus on was the fact that tomorrow night, she wouldn’t be walking away from him.
She’d be walking toward him. And he was determined that she wouldn’t regret saying yes.
6
“That was a mighty fine-looking man you were talking to,” Carina said, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.
Angie laughed, shaking her head. She should have known she wouldn’t be able to rejoin the group at their Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging van without someone already stirring up gossip.
“Yes, I have to admit, he is definitely fine-looking,” she agreed, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
“When are you going out?”
