Page 15 of Wicked Oath
He smiles wide. “Anything for my girl.” He pats my face.
I practically skip out of the room in excitement as I hear Mom say behind me, “She has you wrapped around her little finger.”
And Dad replies, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I go to my room and stare at James’s number on my phone. All I need to do is call him and set up a place and time to meet. But why is this so nerve-wracking? I don’t have any experience with men, and James leaves me flustered every time he’s around me.
But he’ll be my husband. I want to get to know him. And, I’ll admit, I want to prove Owen wrong and show him that James can be trusted. The only way I can figure that out, though, is by calling him.
God, this is so intimidating. As the good girl, I’ve never even called a boy before.
Taking a deep breath, I push his number. My heart thuds hard in my chest as the line rings.
And then his warm voice is on the other end. “Hello? Who is this?”
I calm myself before I answer. “James? It’s Olivia.”
“Olivia,” he says, his voice sending shivers over me. “I didn’t know you had my number.”
“My dad gave it to me.”
“Tell him I said thank you.”
I can’t suppress the giggle that passes my lips. “I will.”
“Why are you calling?” I can hear the smile in his voice, and it just makes me giddier.
“I was wondering … if you’d want to meet up? Possibly soon? I figure since we’ll be married and all, we might as well start to get to know each other.”
“I’d like that.” I wonder what he’s doing right now and if he’s shirtless like the first time I saw him. Jeez. I need to get that image out of my brain. It’s too distracting.
“Great,” I breathe out. “Just let me know.”
“How about right now?”
“Now?” I glance at my clock. It’s not even nine in the morning yet.
“We could spend the whole day together.”
I can’t stop the stupid grin that covers my face. “That sounds great.”
“Good. Meet me where we first met.”
My eyes widen. “You mean … the rings?”
“Yes. It’ll be fun, trust me.”
Do I trust him? I want to, but Owen’s words are still ringing in my ears, and the warning Grandma gave me yesterday flits around my mind. But Garret will be with me, so nothing untoward will happen. But do I want something like that to happen?
And why am I assuming James will accost me the second I step through those doors?
Uh, maybe it has to do with how he almost kissed me after just a five-minute conversation with me.
I do want him to kiss me, and yet … God, why am I so confused?
“Olivia?” James asks after I’ve been too quiet.
“Yes? Oh, sorry. Um, I mean, yes.” I seal my fate. “I’ll meet you there.”
