He seemed nervous, fidgety as he looked away. He acted as if he wanted to say something more. I was relieved when his amazing lips formed a beautiful smile.

“You know what they say—you only live once—and . . . well, I’ve kind of wanted to talk to you for a long time. So maybe we could have lunch together when we wrap up here? I’d love to know why you’re volunteering, and I know a great café. We could take my truck.” He winked.

I knew I was in for it. He was so much nicer than I had imagined. I just couldn’t match up this Alec with the aloof, standoffish version from school. He was always getting into trouble during class for not paying attention. But he had the right answers when the gym teacher asked him questions, usually about whatever game rules we were just given. It made me wonder if he was purposely acting guarded from the world in general. Heather would never believe he came over and talked to me, let alone asked me out.

“That sounds great. I should be finished here soon.” My grin was permanently plastered to my face.

“Really?”

He looked surprised . . . as if I might have actually said no.

“Awesome, okay. I just have a couple more tables to move for Susan, and then I’ll be ready. Why don’t we meet over by the gazebo? My truck is parked there. It’s the old, green one. I’m going to rinse off in the showers by the pool and change into some clean clothes, but I shouldn’t be long.”

My mind was stuck on the visual of him rinsing off in the showers when he pulled me from my thoughts.

“Samone?”

“Oh, sorry. That sounds good. Umm, no worries if it takes a bit. I can just catch up on my reading.”

He cocked an eyebrow and looked around. “Reading?”

“Kindle app. Three hundred books in one small package.”

He laughed lightly and nodded. “All right then. I’ll be just a few more minutes.”

I gawked at his sexy, tanned back as he walked away. Hurrying, I packed up my beads. I’d never been so excited to abandon my hobby. But I couldn’t wait to finish so I could get to the gazebo and meet Alec.

Walking to the gazebo, I could see him pacing. He was on his phone and didn’t look happy. I wondered what or who could’ve changed his mood so dramatically in just ten minutes. He shoved his phone in the front pocket of his jeans, roughed his hands through his hair, and moved the nearest table into position.

I walked over and sat on one of the benches. When I pulled my phone out to check for messages, the lock screen showed three texts. My best friends, Alison and Tamron, were demanding to know what time I’d be done and my sister, Tricia, wanted to make sure I’d be around when she came home from college the following weekend.

I sent a brief text to Tricia confirming I would be and we needed to fit a pedicure in while she was in town. Then I sent Alison and Tamron a group text saying I didn’t know what time I’d be done. I had a lunch date, and even though I was ditching them for a hot guy, under no circumstance should they see the new Robert Downey Jr. movie without me.

I wasn’t surprised when the rapid-fire text messages started coming in. It was their typical twenty questions. I loved those girls, I really did, but I swear, sometimes it felt like there was a big age difference between us when, in reality, they were only a year older. I decided to appease their curiosity, knowing they would be digging out the yearbooks to look him up.

Me:

His name is Alec Morris.

T:

He hasn’t been approved.

Me:

Seriously Tamron? Alison, is she for real?

A:

He’s not on the list, Sam.

Me:

Are you kidding me right now? There’s a list?

T:

Yes, there’s a list. He’s not on it. Tell him you forgot you already had lunch plans with your besties.

A:

Chicks before dicks, Sam.

Me:

OMG. Sorry girls, but I’m going.

A:

Wait Sam, you can’t.

Me:

Meet at my house. Maybe I’ll stop drooling by then. Preview . . . sexy, tanned, muscular back. YW.

T:

Ah—hell.

A:

Go. Have lunch. Just lunch.

Me:

Ha ha, I should’ve started off with that. Love you both.

When I looked up, I noticed Alec leaning against the gazebo, watching me with a smirk on his face. It was an improvement over the scowl he wore when he was on his cell earlier.

“So the book you’re reading, is it funny?”

My face must have been red. I felt the heat in my cheeks.

“Oh . . . no, it’s actually a romance.” I smiled. “I was just laughing at my best friends. They wanted to know when I was going to be done here because we’re supposed to meet for a movie. They kind of freaked when I told them I had a lunch date . . . uh . . . I mean . . . plans . . . and didn’t know what time I’d be done. They’re kind of a force of nature.”

I didn’t miss the triumphant smile and light in his eyes when I’d slipped and said date.

“Date huh?” He grinned.

My God, it was the most adorable expression ever, whether at my expense or not, I couldn’t deny it was sexy. I fumbled over my feet, getting up as he came over and offered me his hand. When we touched, tingles spread over my entire body. We walked to his truck. He even opened the door for me. He was such a gentleman.

Mesmerized, I watched him saunter around to the driver’s side, and I almost had to pinch myself to prove I wasn’t dreaming. He slid his long legs into the seat and started the truck. The powerful muscles in his arms rippled as he shifted it into gear. He was absolutely mouthwatering.

Turning on the radio, Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” started playing through the speakers. He looked at me and winked. I didn’t realize it then, but that moment was the beginning of something amazing.

My hands began to sweat as we pulled into the parking lot for Reveille Coffeehouse and Café. I glanced at the beautiful girl sitting in the passenger seat of my truck.

Yup . . . she’s really there. Holy shit.

Her hands were in her lap, and she was fidgeting with her bracelet. She was nervous. Well, that made two of us. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. There was no room in my life for a girl. I was damned, and the people I loved tended to suffer for it.

Her sweet voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“So, have you eaten here before?”

I pulled into a spot and shifted my truck into park. Leaning my head back against the headrest, I closed my eyes. Her soft hand slipped into mine and she exhaled a shaky breath.

“If . . . if you don’t want to go in, it’s okay. I can get a ride back to the park to get my car.”

“No, Samone. I’m sorry. It’s not that. I want to be here with you. It’s just—complicated.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“And I would never make you get a ride anywhere. I’m not an asshole.”

“No, I didn’t mean that, I’m sorry Alec.”

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it, but wanted to make sure we were clear. You don’t ever have to worry when you’re with me.”

Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled.

“To answer your question, yes, I’ve eaten here before. It’s really good. Let’s go in, okay?” I said as I lightly squeezed her hand.