Page 83 of I Knew He Was Trouble
I shake my head. I need to get a grip before I’m singing aboutMom’s spaghetti. Maybe I listen to too much hip-hop music… But can you really listen to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” too many times? It’s the perfect hype song in my workout playlist.
Okay, but in all honesty, I can’t say I’ve ever felt this way before a first date. Though, I suppose it’s a good sign because it shows how much I care. I want everything to go right with Kelsey.
I feel like I need to up my dating game, especially after our kiss earlier today. I’m not sure anything could beat that. Although, I’m hoping our next kiss will have a better location than a broom closet.
There’s a knock on my door right on time. I open it, smiling at Kelsey’s friend.
“Alyssa, thanks for agreeing to watch Evie tonight.”
“Anything for Kelsey,” she says, and I know she means it. Even though Kelsey may not have any family she’s close with, anybody who sees the four girls next door together can see how fiercelythey love and protect each other. Anyone would be so lucky to have friends like that.
Evie comes running down the stairs, and Alyssa squats to hug her. “Plus, I get to spend time with my best girl tonight. So it’s a win-win. We’re going to have a great time.” Alyssa’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Maybe we can even take Winston on a walk since it’s a little warmer tonight.”
My niece bounces on the balls of her feet. “When are you leaving, Uncle Ty? No boys allowed, except Winston.”
Looks like I’ve already got a little teenager on my hands, ready for her annoying uncle to leave her alone. But I’d take this excitement any day to distract her from missing her mom. I miss Tess more than I’d ever willingly admit.
“All right, I can tell when I’m no longer wanted. Have fun.” I lean down, planting a kiss on the top of Evie’s head. I wave goodbye to Alyssa before heading over to her house to pick up my date.
My hand trembles as I knock on Kelsey’s front door.
I shake my head.
Be cool, man.
The door opens, and Kelsey steps outside with a soft smile, wearing a burgundy sweater that makes her eyes pop. She’s wearing dark jeans instead of her usual leggings, but she still has her signature white tennis shoes on.
Kelsey’s brown hair falls in loose curls past her shoulders, and the lipstick she’s wearing matches her sweater perfectly. Although, I plan to mess it up later if tonight goes like I hope it will—with a repeat of earlier today. That was just a pre-date kiss, preparing us for the real thing.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Her grin grows wider. “I guess you look McDreamy tonight.”
I’m wearing the same outfit I was this morning—a black tee, jeans, and a tan jacket. I would usually dress a little nicer for a first date, but Kelsey sees me almost every day of the week in my scrubs, and I told her we needed to dress casually for what we’re doing tonight. I at least styled my hair, though.
“Is McDreamy an adjective now?” I ask with a laugh.
“It’s whatever I want it to be.” She raises onto her tiptoes and presses a kiss on my cleanly shaven jaw. When she pulls back, she laughs and wipes her thumb along my jaw, probably wiping away her lipstick, although I wouldn’t mind if she left it there, marking me as hers.
There’s no way I’d contradict her tonight. Not when she looks like that.
“We should get going.” I kiss her cheek and offer her my arm, leading her to my car.
“You’re not going to challenge the fact that I’m using a nickname as an adjective?” When I shake my head, she leans her head back and laughs. “You’ve gone soft on me, Frankenstein.”
“Maybe I’d do anything to see you smile.” I open her car door, and she rests her forearms on it, peering up at me. Her lips tilt up at the corners.
“That’s the right answer.”
I close the door and walk to the driver’s side. A dopey smile is plastered on my face as I sit beside her and turn the car on. I can’t help it. It’s just a byproduct of flirting with the girl I can’t get enough of.
I pull out of my parking spot and start driving to our destination.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asks.
“Where’s the fun in that?” I reach over and place my palm on her thigh, testing the waters for how the night may go. I know we kissed earlier, but that may not mean she’s comfortable with physical touch tonight.
“You’re lucky I like surprises.”
