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Jason leaned in close, his bare arm brushing against mine and the smell of beer already thick on his breath. “Can’t believe how packed it is tonight.” I leaned away and gave a polite smile. “I know. It’s crazy.” My eyes drifted down to the large mass of dark hair oozing out of his tank top. I get it. We’re all mammals, we all have hair. My hairstylist always tells me that I have enough brown hair on my head to cover three different scalps. So, I wasn’t hair-shaming anyone, but I didn’t need to see all of that on a first date.
I’m cackling at the word choice
It did feel nice to stand up until I noticed Jason’s eyes drifting down the backside of my jeans. I sat down and inched a bit closer to the good-smelling guy and zeroed my eyes in on the court. “The armrest is all yours.” The low drawl at my right came so soft I almost didn’t register that it was intended for my ears. Jason was now leaning forward and arguing with a group of guys one row in front of us. I shot a look toward the voice. Dark eyelashes, long and slightly curled, met my gaze. Baseball hat. Gentle brown eyes. And what might be the sexiest five o’clock shadow I had ever beheld. I
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So charming!
He held my hand and leaned in closer, his eyes sparking with humor and sweetness. “I’m going to kiss you. You good, Nora?” I barely had time to breathe out a yes before his lips were on mine.
OMG the tension!
He had pulled back, looked down, smiled, and kissed me again. Quick and sweet. Like he couldn’t help it. As though we were on much friendlier terms than we actually were.
Swooooooon!
And when Duke held his hand out behind him, his fingers beckoning to me like a lifeline, I took it.
Ahhh omg that’s sweet
Was getting turned on by watching your date be a conscientious driver a sign of maturity? Asking for a friend.
I dunno but it’s legit hot
I didn’t want to jump, but I was also standing in Duke’s clothes in the middle of the night, ready to re-enact a movie scene. I was already fully committed to this bit, and I wasn’t about to back down now.
Commit to the bit!
“Is it our six-hour anniversary already? I didn’t get you anything.” The smile on my face came without warning. He continued, “The way I see it, we’ve packed almost three and a half dates into those hours, so, technically, this is date three and a half…we’re getting pretty serious now.”
Gah, I’d be SO UPSET about moving at this point
“Did you start wearing cowboy boots and a hat?” He leaned back. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I didn’t answer, suddenly struck by the alluring image of Duke in a cowboy hat.
Girl, SAME
“You’d be surprised at how motivated for success you can be when you don’t have anything to fall back on. I don’t have anybody around to catch me if I fall, but sometimes I wish I did.” “That’s because you’re the one who does all the catching.”
Damn. Bullseye.
“Are you trying to lure me in with your sexy farm-boy talk?” He curled into me slightly. “Is it working? Are farm boys what do it for you?”
Yes
Whether you believe it or not, you’re fun, Nora. Smart. Driven. Hot. And fun.” His eyes flitted to my lips before raising back up again, his low voice causing sparks to burst down my spine. “You’re the whole package, and I hate North Dakota.”
Oh man. Gut punch.
At least, I was almost ninety seven percent sure I wouldn’t hide if I saw him.
Oof, I don’t think that’s an accurate estimation.
I grabbed my cart and began rolling it toward the door. No. I wasn’t embarrassed by the work. I was embarrassed by my life.
28% in and this book has broken my heart. I’m literally crying. I can’t wait to see how she’s put all back together!
I hadn’t seen him again. I felt relieved and, at the same time, disappointed,
Me too. I dread re-introductions.
A sigh escaped me at the relief it was to feel hidden.
I KNEW IT! I knew you’d hide!!!
A sliver of disappointment crossed over his face at my question, but it disappeared quickly. “Rachel and I have been together for almost three years.”
Okay, no. Officially brokenhearted over here. For reals this time. What’s the point of running into him if he’s not available?! I’m gonna cry again.
The underlying string between us tightened with tension—the very smoldering, sexy kind of tension that had my nerves pinging overtime. He had a girlfriend. The way my body was reacting to him, I knew I definitely shouldn’t be alone with him.
Maybe she’s a fake girlfriend?
“One more thing. The winner of the internship will be eligible to have their schooling paid for, if it’s a graphic design program approved by the company. They’d have to study nights and weekends while they work full time with us, but the company will pay for it.”
He’s making this up. Internships are almost always unpaid. WHAAAAAAT.
“Yes, but…Duke, is this your company? Are you the boss? Something about this feels weird.”
I’ve got similar questions!
I rolled out of bed at nine and made myself a luxurious breakfast of waffles from a boxed mix with fresh strawberries and half a can of whipped cream. The strawberries had been too soft for the cafe to use but not bad enough to be thrown away, so I had saved them from the trash can.
As a mom I can tell you this is TRUE luxury.
There was a slight sway on my part before I held strong. I needed to let her fall. “Sorry, Mom. I’ve got to go.” And then I hung up on her.
I’m so proud of her. It took me physically relocating to erect boundaries with my family.
This is a paid internship position.
That’s outrageous! I mean, all internships should be paid. But that’s not how it is.
With a sigh of relief, I discovered that the internship would pay about as much as I earned from the cafe. Which meant that I could quit my job as waitress and use the extra hours working for Cathy to throw towards my bill.
But you’re supposed to use nights and weekends for the campaign. Oof this is problematic
I wondered briefly if Duke would notice, until I pushed those thoughts away. I didn’t care if Duke liked my hair. And the second I did care, I vowed I’d quit. Well. Maybe not quit…
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just accept you’re in a complicated situation and move on.
Honestly, I was getting tired of looking at his face.
OMG QUIT LYING TO YOURSELF, GIRL!
The answer to the question still hadn’t found me as I reached for the laptop, set up an online account for my mom’s storage unit, and paid her bill in full.
Dammit girl, you got problems that are ALL YOU
Kiss Cam, Heard about the tires. I was once told there wasn’t much a DP couldn’t fix. PS. I made sure it fell.
Oh fuck. Break up with your girlfriend. Please. For everyone’s sanity.
“Wow. You just skipped past Twix without a word?” “Sub par.” “What? No way.
Yes way, he’s right. Twix is inferior to Snickers. This is how we know you need help.
“Duke,” I warned. “Why are you here helping me when you have a girlfriend?” He straightened. “You didn’t hear?” “What?” “We broke up. I figured Anita or somebody would have spread it all over the office by now.”
THANK GD!
I know it was a sacrifice. Kip gets paid in two weeks, and then we’ll be sending you some money.
No you won’t
Duke seemed bent on flirting with me constantly while keeping up the pretense of not flirting with me, which was very confusing, in all actuality.
You know he made that rule to make you think you don’t need to put your walls up.
Shawn mentioned his buddy’s cabin in Park City, and then Anita had to talk about her dad’s bigger and better cabin. Then, when Shawn mentioned he liked a certain restaurant downtown, Anita had to share another restaurant she knew of that blew Shawn’s recommendation out of the water.
Can we fire Anita already? PLEASE???
I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist.
Hahaha GOTCHA!
A factual fact? How interesting. Now you won’t have to buy me a Coke. His message puzzled me most of the morning, until I opened my bottom drawer to grab a new pen and found it stacked full of Coke cans.
I am back to giggling and kicking my feet. Phew!
“Just thought we’d drop in and say hi.”
He didn’t take her advice. His parents are meddling because he used their money.
It was my day for vacuuming. There had apparently been a disaster in the reception area involving a three-hole punch, and the whole space looked like the crime scene of a murdered piñata.
Lol
My only defense was that sometimes a girl gets tired of trying to resist Duke’s charms. Also, the smell of Chinese food was irresistible.
Whatever. No self-respecting poor girl says no to free food.
“Duke Webber. You are my boss. And might I add, very newly single.” “Technically, you just said you were my boss now. You can do whatever you want with me.”
Ahhhhh! THIS MAN! 🥵
For the next few minutes, we looked out over our kingdom of lights, snatching bites from each other’s containers and feasting on the most delicious and filling meal I’d had in weeks.
When you love someone, you feed them
“Can I ask you something?” he asked. “No.” “I’ll eat a piece of broccoli,” he baited.
OMG these two. I heart them!!
I’d pay for this extra time in the morning, but for some reason, I couldn’t find it in me to end the night.
But would you? You’re eating properly for the first time in ages. I bet it helps.
“I can meet you there. Where do they live?” “Malad.” My eyebrows raised in surprise. “Malad? Malad, Idaho?” “We’d better carpool. Better for the environment and all.” “Duke…” I began, slowly putting a few puzzle pieces on the board. “Is this your family?”
She’s 100% the woman for him
I became entranced with their work. Not only the work itself, but the way they worked. Confident Birdie setting things up, capable Bart adjusting and readjusting when Birdie’s back was turned. A dance of love and loss and gentleness.
That could be her future with Duke. This is too sweet.
“I’m determined to be Fun Nora today,” I told him, suddenly needing him to be aware of my plan. His amusement faded. “You’re always fun, Nora.”
Like that. This in 50 years could be what his grandparents have.
“You ready?” Duke asked as he slowed the bike down to a meandering pace. “I think the question is, are you ready?” “Been ready for a while.” Before I could dissect his words, he brought my hand to the throttle, covering it gently with his, giving me time to get a feel for the movement and speed. Once he felt certain I was ready, he removed his hand and allowed mine full control.
My heart.
This moment felt like coming home in a way that didn’t quite make sense. He held me with such sweetness and care it almost made me ache. I was beginning to think Duke was a liar. I won’t let you fall. This felt very much like falling. My seven seconds being airborne couldn’t hold a candle to the ecstasy I was feeling now. Not without me. Was he falling too?
Perfection
“Looks like I forgot to read the fine print,” he mumbled some time later. “Oh yeah?” “Yeah. It says that you can kiss me anytime you want.” I swallowed, adjusting my grip on his shoulders. “That’s pretty open-ended fine print.” “I don’t make the rules.”
lol
They watched calmly as Duke climbed in on the driver's side, setting the plastic bag of his wet clothes on the seat between us. They watched as Duke tried to start the truck. They watched as he tried to start the truck again. They watched as he tried to start the truck one more time, confusion etched on his face. They watched as Duke yanked open the door and popped open the hood, jiggling some things around before hopping inside and trying again. And again. “Looks like yer truck’s not starting,” Bart commented, taking a bite out of his ice cream bar.
I smell sabotage. Bart probably did it while they were at the pond.
I mentally girded up my loins to see pictures of Duke as a child. I would in no way whatsoever imagine what our children could potentially look like. That thought had my mother’s vibe all over it.
I hate that her mother’s willingness to dive in without caution has caused Nora to fear the water (love).
