Page 34 of To Steal a Heart
He took in a determined breath. “Let’s do it.”
“What?”
“Attend church together this Sunday.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
A taunting smile played on his lips. “Not chicken, are you?”
“Not in the slightest,” she laughed. “Okay, we’ll do it. My mother will be thrilled,” she said drolly.
Humor brushed his features. “Who knows? You might just make an upstanding man out of me yet.”
“I guess that remains to be seen,” she quipped as she bowed her head and offered a prayer.
CHAPTER 9
The cool breeze felt good on Arden’s skin as she jogged through the picturesque neighborhood where she was staying. She was proud of herself for getting out so early this morning. It was only a little after seven a.m., and she was almost finished with her jog. She’d go back to her place and take a quick shower before making herself some breakfast. Then, she planned to bite the bullet and write. She hoped to get part of her first chapter written today.
When her phone rang, she fished it out of the side pocket of her spandex workout pants. It was Olivia. Arden had been playing phone tag with her all week. She slowed her pace to a walk as she answered with a chipper, “Hello.”
“Hey,” Olivia began. “I’m glad we finally connected.”
“Me too. I’ve missed talking to you.”
“Since you’ve been so hard to reach, I assume you’ve been super busy?”
“I have.” A smile curved Arden’s lips. She could hardly wait to tell Olivia everything that had happened the past week and a half.
“Are you still researching, or have you started writing?”
“Actually, I haven’t done much of either.”
“What?” Olivia exclaimed. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great,” she inserted quickly, not wanting to worry Olivia. “I met someone.”
Silence.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes. It just took me a minute to process the news. You met someone? As in … you’re dating someone?”
“I am.” Arden trilled out a velvety laugh. “And he’s everything and more that I could ever wish for.”
Excitement coated Olivia’s voice. “That’s wonderful. Tell me all about him. Is he from Carmel?”
“Nope. He’s from San Francisco. Well, he’s originally from Utah, but he lives in San Francisco now.”
“Wow, that’s convenient.”
“I know,” Arden gushed.
“How did you meet?”
“At a dance class.”
“You’re a fabulous dancer. Why would you take lessons?”