Now as she sat in front of her computer screen, desperately trying to keep her focus, her mind kept wandering. The most pressing item on her mind – how Alex had forgotten they had a date.
Although, for all she knew, he could have figured the early morning run counted, but as far as she was concerned, that wasn’t normally how dates went. Ok, so she didn’t have much experience in the dating arena, but she was pretty sure that wasn’t how they normally went. Having gone on her fair share, Ashleigh had had more first dates than follow ups, so she certainly wasn’t an expert.
And it wasn’t as though she were sitting there pining away for the man because she wasn’t. She wasn’t! What did she care if this morning had been their date? It was nice. Fun. Not what she expected, but it was what it was.
Alex was a complex man, she knew that from experience. He was also busy with his company and remarkably few people came before his precious CISS. Not that she blamed him because he’d worked hard to build the company and if it meant to him what her writing meant to her, she guarded it with her life.
So maybe he hadn’t forgotten, maybe he was just busy. She should’ve been too, so what was she sitting around complaining for? Could it be that she was anxious to see him again? That would’ve been the complete opposite from how she felt just a week ago.
Toggling back to her Word document, she tried to focus on the words, tried to get her mind on the story. It took only a few minutes before she was immersed in a new chapter, fingers furiously flying over the keyboard.
So when her cell phone chimed, signifying an incoming text, Ashleigh damn near came out of her chair. Excitement fizzed through her veins as she anticipated who it might be.
Grabbing her phone like it would run away, she used the touch screen buttons to get to the text. Her chest bubbled up with anticipation when she saw the unfamiliar number. Normally it would register the caller based on her address book.
She touched the envelope to open the text.
We still on for our date tonight?
Ok, so maybe he hadn’t forgotten.
I thought this morning counted as our date
Yes, she was playing hard to get. Sue her. She waited impatiently for his response.
Not hardly
Unsure how to respond to that, Ashleigh waited for him to continue.
Dinner sound good?
Yes and no, she thought. Yes, she was hungry. No, she didn’t think she could eat if she were anywhere near Alex. He caused her body to flare up, and her insides to churn which wasn’t conducive to digestion.
Since she couldn’t very well tell him that, she simply answered yes.
Good answer.
His reply made her smile and her insides to riot.
You have two choices.
Not what she expected. Ashleigh didn’t want choices. If he gave her an out, she was likely going to take it because in all honesty, Alex scared the bejesus out of her.
Dinner at my house.
Ashleigh waited patiently for the or. That option certainly wasn’t her first choice.
You get to choose whether you drive over here or I pick you up
Well, hell. What did she say to that? She’d already agreed to dinner, she couldn’t very well say something had come up. Going to his house was definitely not a good idea. Too many temptations.
The only option would be for her to drive herself. At least that way, she would have the opportunity to run out if things got too hot. Which she undoubtedly knew they would.
I’ll drive.
Committing to what she knew would be the biggest mistake of her entire life, Ashleigh waited for him to provide her with his address. She didn’t have to wait long before he gave her the information that would get her there, as well as the time she was expected. An hour.
Damn the man was optimistic.
Although she had showered earlier that day, she had yet to do anything with her hair or makeup. If she was smart, she would throw on a pair of sweats and head over there as is. That would teach him.
But no, she wasn’t smart when it came to Alex, so she snatched up her cell phone and laptop and high tailed it inside. She didn’t have much time.
Chapter Seven
Alex refused to pace. Yet he was pacing.
Damn it.
Returning to the kitchen, he checked the bread warming in the oven before heading out to the back patio to check on the steaks. He expected Ashleigh to arrive any minute, and he wanted everything to be perfect.
Using his best dishes – he could thank his mother for those; one of the few things she’d ever given him – he had set the table and retrieved a bottle of wine.
Now if Ashleigh would show up, he’d have it made. Instead, he was awaiting her arrival like some love struck teenager who had yet to go on a real date. That was so far from the truth, Alex almost laughed. For a man who’d had his share of women over the years, he should be used to this by now.