Page 15 of With This Witch
She catches him looking at her lips, and he leans in. Only, he thrusts his hand out and shakes hers, then immediately turns around and walks back to the elevator.
“Night!” she calls down the hall, confused and amused.
He raises a hand above his head, waving goodbye.
She unlocks her door, steps inside, and rests her head against it. “What the hell was that?”
CHAPTEREIGHT
Lachlan
Ishook her hand.
I SHOOK HER HAND!
I. Shook. Her. Hand.
Lachlan has been sitting in his Jeep outside of Petra’s apartment for the last ten minutes, continually replaying the moment in his mind. The smile. Leaning in for the kiss he knew they both wanted. Then thrusting his hand out to grab hers.
He had no choice. He couldn’t recover from that humiliation; leaving was his only option.
Looking up, he can see her bedroom light still on. A roiling sensation in his stomach, the manifestation of his embarrassment, keeps him from trying to correct his mistake by going back to her door. Should he send a text? Or is it too soon? Wiping his sweaty palms on his pants, he leans forward, bouncing his head off the steering wheel, accidentally causing the horn to sound. Startled, he looks up again, thankfully not seeing Petra in her window watching his self-destruction.
Why have I suddenly turned into a twelve-year-old boy around a girl for the first time?
This was supposed to be a fake date so they could start to be seen together. Only this date felt anything but fake. He saw a different side of Petra. A side he’s been yearning to see for years. And he liked it. He’s always found Petra attractive. Since the day he met her, he had wondered what it would be like to date her, but as much as they would flirt back and forth when she came into the bar, he didn’t get a sense that she was interested in him in that way. So why did tonight feel so different?
He looks up to her window again, but the light goes out.
Head home, you idiot.
* * *
A buzzing sound pulls Lachlan from his slumber. It takes a moment for him to place the sound of his phone vibrating on the nightstand. With his eyes still closed and his brain foggy, he unplugs it and brings it to his face. He opens one eye slowly, bringing the world into focus.
The screen illuminating as he taps it with his thumb, showing a series of messages from Petra.
Petra
Good morning, sweet cheeks.
I just wanted to say thanks again for last night.
It was fun.
Hope you have a great day.
A smile breaks across his face as he remembers the look on her face when he threw the first axe and then the triumph and joy when she won Skee-Ball. As he is about to begin typing out a response, another message from her comes through.
Oh. Daisy and I are going to the market in a bit. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if we also ran into you there.
You know, if you’re up for it.
Lachlan
Sounds exciting.
I need to shower first, but I’ll let you know when I get there.
