Page 44 of Perfect Guy

“Touché. Sorry, Cane.” She scrunches up her face and shrugs.

“I can hold my own, but thanks, cuz.” I squeeze her arm.

“It’s all in good fun,” Madelyn smiles at me and winks.

That conversation over with, we spend the rest of the night talking, dancing, and drinking a couple of more beers before leaving Pony Up. I hold Madelyn’s hand as I drive back to her house, grateful it’s on the outskirts of town so I can have more time with her.

”Is it too needy if I say I want to see you again tomorrow?” I glance over at her. The cab of my truck is dark, with barely any streetlights lighting this road, so I can’t make out her expression.

“Really, Canaan…I didn’t peg you for the desperate type,” she teases.

“Only when it comes to you.” I squeeze her knee, which causes her leg to jerk. I chuckle and do it again, but she grabs my hand to stop me.

“It’s not too needy. I’m having lunch with my family. What if we grab coffee after?”

“I’d love that. I’ll pick you up.”

“You don’t have to come all the way out here to just go back to town.” Her argument falls on deaf ears.

“I’m picking you up. I wouldn’t do it any other way. I was taught this way, and I’ll stick to it. It’s the least I could do.” I stroke my thumb across her hand.

“Okay,” she whispers, but I swear I hear a smile in her voice. Lifting her hand, I kiss the inside of her wrist.

I’m going to take advantage of every minute I have with her. If she’s willing to spend time with me, I won’t take that for granted. Women like Madelyn don’t come along often, so I’m going to cherish her like a precious gem. She deserves it.

After coffee tomorrow, I plan on asking her out again. And again. Until she gets tired of me or decides she wants me to stick around. All I know is that I want as much time as she gives me to get to know her better. No matter how much you think you know someone, it’s different when you’re sifting through their layers to reach the depth of their heart.