Page 24 of Michael's Awakening
The hairs on the back of my neck prickled as I approached the stairs to my front door.
I had the feeling I was being watched. With it being twilight outside and me being my marvelous self, I was the perfect victim for some crazy, psychotic stalker.
Okay, maybe I had watched one too manyCriminal Mindsepisodes, but whatever. It could totally happen.
Hearing a car door slam, I quickened my pace as I placed my car key between my fingers to use as a weapon if needed. That was a trick my brother Zack had taught me long ago when I first moved out on my own. I didn’t turn around and investigate the noise like those morons did in scary movies. I just wanted to get the hell up to my door as quickly as possible.
The air stirred behind me as I felt someone approach and when a hand clamped down on my arm, I drew my elbow back and hit them in the chest. Hard.
“Oof! What the fuck!” The person let go and stumbled backward.
Recognizing the voice, I pivoted on my heels and looked at him, shocked. “Oh my gosh! Michael, what are you doing here?”
“I was waiting for you to get home so I could take you out.” He struggled to catch his breath. I must have hit him harder than I realized. “But if I knew you were going to go all crazy man on my ass and attack me, I would have worn some padding.”
I stared at him, amazed. “You want to take me out? Like on a date?”
Michael chuckled. “That’s how you respond? No ‘Oh, Michael, are you alright?’ Which I’m fine, by the way.” He grinned at me and I thought my heart was going to putter and die with how rapidly it was pounding. “Of course, I want to take you out. Unless… you didn’t want to see me again. And, in that case, I’d feel like a complete idiot by showing up and waiting here for about an hour for you to get home.”
His tone was light, but I could see the uncertainty that flared in his eyes.
“I’d love to go out with you.” I was in shock. I honestly hadn’t expected to ever see him again, especially not to go on a date. It was also shocking that he remembered where I lived.
He lifted his eyebrows at me as I stood there unmoving like an idiot and stared at him, fumbling with my keys.
“Do you need to go up to your apartment for anything? Or do you have everything you need?”
“Oh. Umm, let me go put my cello away and then I’ll be right back down.” I spun around and hurried up the stairs. Unlocking my door, I rushed inside and slung my purse on the floor, not really caring where it landed at that moment, and set my cello case down in the living room.
Oh, fuck. I’m having a panic attack.
I ran to the bathroom and inspected my reflection in the mirror. My hair was still utterly fabulous, not a hair out of place, so I checked my face next. Opening my makeup drawer, I brought out my foundation and used the brush to dab a little on my nose. Everything else looked good. Bending over the counter, I took deep breaths as I tried to calm myself.
Why was I so nervous?Because you like him. My inner bitch answered me.
I rolled my eyes at myself and left the bathroom. Remembering how much Michael approved of my heeled boots, I made a last minute decision and rushed over to my closet, slinging off my flats as I approached. I slipped the boots on, laced them up, and gave myself the once-over in my full-length mirror.
I chewed my lip as I looked at my shirt; it was simple and boring. I slung it off and walked back to my closet. Skimming my clothes, I grabbed a different blouse and pulled it on. Once I was satisfied, I grabbed my purse from the floor and exited my apartment, locking the door behind me.
Michael stood at the bottom of the stairs, with his back turned tow me, and it looked like he was fidgeting with his phone. It briefly reminded me of the scene fromTitanicwhen Jack was waiting for Rose at the bottom of the stairs before the fancy dinner. He had his back turned toward her as well, and when she approached, he turned around with the most charming of smiles to greet her and take her hand. It was absolutely romantic.
You’re crazy, Gabe. Shut up.I really needed to put a leash on my inner sassy bitch, he was driving me nuts.
As I walked down the stairs toward Michael, he turned and looked up at me with an unreadable expression on his handsome face. And then he smiled.
