Ding. Ding. Ding.
My noon reminder was going off. I groaned at my alarm and put my head against his chest. “Why do we always get interrupted?”
His chest rose and fel
l as he sighed. “I don’t know. I wish you didn’t have to go to the clinic.”
It was so tempting to stay with Mike, but I had afternoon appointments. “Me, too, but I have to.”
“I know. What are you doing later?” He took my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“After the clinic, I thought I might go see Beatrice at the welcome center, see if she had any information. She knows so much of the town’s history. I thought she might be able to give us some insight.”
“I want to go with you.”
My heart sped up. Mike was actively trying to find ways to spend time with me. The feeling, of course, was mutual, and I loved every minute we had together. “Really? All my crazy slips don’t drive you insane?”
“Really. No, they don’t. What time can I pick you up?”
For the first time, I felt like a man had accepted me for who I was. I usually said stupid, awkward things that weren’t overly sexual. With Mike, I’d taken my slips to a whole new level. “How does three work?”
“Perfect. I’ll be there.” Mike gave me one last kiss before I left.
I was giddy with excitement. He asked me for another impromptu date! I couldn’t help myself, and I started fist pumping. Yes! Yes! Yes! Then I abruptly stopped, remembering I hadn’t made it very far and was still on the sidewalk in front of his house.
Do not turn around. With my head held high, I kept walking.
Five seconds later, my phone vibrated with a text.
Mike: What were you fist pumping about?
Oh no, he saw. I typed out the first thing that came to me.
Me: There was a bee.
Mike: A bee.
Me: Yeah, you might have an infestation. I’d check it out with an exterminator. Bees can sting and that’s no good at all. Ya know?
Mike: I’ll get on that. I wouldn’t want my girl getting hurt.
I squealed. My girl. I wanted to be his in every way.
Then I got another text.
Mike: I’m just as excited, Syd.
I turned around and saw him standing at the window, staring at me. I blew him a kiss and he caught it.