Page 17 of Where You Are
It would be nice to get it over with, and it would be kind of hard without a phone for people who enlist my services to call me on.
“Okay,” I agree cheerfully. I kind of like the idea of not saying goodbye to him just yet. “If you’re sure.”
After driving me to the wireless store, Matt patiently looks at phones with me and keeps me company while the tech sets it up. He’s kept his ball cap on but took his sunglasses off. Fortunately, no one seems to be taking notice of him.
When the tech holds the box and receipt out to me, Matt beats me to it and takes it from him.
“Hey!” I protest, as I follow him out of the air-conditioned store and into the muggy heat. “Gimme that!”
“Just chill out while I get my number in here, will you?” He says, holding a hand up. He leans back against his Jeep and pulls the box out of the bag. After removing the phone from the box and tapping the screen for a moment, he hands it to me. “Here, jeez.” He blows out a breath like I’m so exhausting. “My number is in there, and I sent myself a text so I have your number too.”
“The Man of My Dreams?” I muse, looking down at the contact name he added to his number.
“Yes,” he adamantly confirms as he fishes in his pocket for his own phone, bringing it up to look at the screen. “And look at that, you think I have the sweetest ass on the planet. Why, thank you.” His grin is devilish and I feel my mouth curl up as I look at my phone, seeing the text he sent himself. A full-on laugh erupts out of me and I feel a blush bloom on my cheeks. I can’t argue with that. I’d pounce on that ass like a cheetah.
MATT
Since neither of us have eaten much, Melanie and I decide to nullify our morning run and hit up a drive-thru on our way back to drop her off. After pulling up in front of her sister’s house, I regrettably watch her climb out of the Jeep.
“Well, thanks for everything,” she says cheerfully as she unstraps and gathers up her phone and her food in one hand while she brings her shake up to her mouth with the other. Never thought I’d feel so jealous of a straw. “I still can’t believe you hung out with me while I picked up a phone. You should get a medal for that,” she says pointing her shake at me as she climbs out.
I hang over the side of my door to get her attention as she makes her way around the front of the Jeep. “Come here,” I beckon, reaching a hand out to her, and she sweetly obliges. “Can I have another one?” I ask.
“Another fry?” she teases with a grin.
“Very funny. I meant another kiss Em,” I clarify, and I skim my knuckles up and down her arm.
“Em?”
“Yeah. It’s short for emerald which is the shade of green your eyes are right now. Plus, it’s your first initial,” I shrug a shoulder and give her what I hope is a charming smile.
“So is yours,” she points out. “Does that mean I get to call you ‘M’ too?”
“You bet it does.” I gently pull her arm, coaxing her closer and move my hand to cradle the side of her neck as she leans in to give me what I asked for. Both our lips are cold from our shakes, and the flavors of chocolate and vanilla come together to make the sweetest combination as they move against each other. I think this may be the best kiss of my life.
Chapter Ten
Melanie
Over the nextcouple of weeks, Matt and I share a few more morning runs, and many more phenomenal kisses. I’ve found a few free-lance jobs for local establishments, sprucing up a website here, designing brochures or business cards there.
It’s a hot afternoon and I’m getting some work done by the pool when a text comes in from Matt.
The Man of My Dreams:What are you doing tomorrow night?
Me: I don’t know; what am I doing tomorrow night?
The Man of My Dreams: Okay, so I don’t know exactly, but it’d be nice to spend time with you in the evening and have it involve something other than physical fitness.
Me:Are you sure about that? We could just change up our regimen. Get exercise some other way? ??
The Man of My Dreams:Great. Now I’m hard.
Me:You’re welcome ??
The Man of My Dreams:ANYWAY… are you going to let me take you out on an actual date or not? We could do something with Jack and Maze maybe?
Oh.