“Yes, I’d like that very much.”
“Good, because my brother Josh is having a barbecue, and I’d love for you to be there with me.” His face lit up when he mentioned his brother, but my reaction was quite different.
My throat tightened, making swallowing difficult. “Thank you, but I can’t.”
He jerked his head back as if I’d offended him. “You can’t? I thought you said you were available. Is it because you don’t want to meet my family?”
My heart raced at the thought of it. “No, it’s not that I don’t want to meet them, but I just met you. Meeting family is more like a tenth or eleventh date sort of thing, don’t you think?” I laughed, hoping to make a joke of it, but he didn’t laugh with me.
Frowning, he let out a long breath. “It’s only a barbecue.”
Before he could say more, the doorbell rang, and he gestured for me to stay put while he paid for the pizza. Once he had the white-and-red box in hand, he brought it to the kitchen and set it on the table.
I’d apparently offended him, but it wasn’t intentional; I was simply being practical. We sat down and I stared at the cheesy pie in front of us, and my once-hungry stomach now felt full, even though I hadn’t taken one bite.
“I’m sorry,” I said with a sigh. “I hope you’re not upset with me.”
Drake leaned forward to reach across the table and take my hands in his. “With this being an election year, I’ll be campaigning pretty hard after the primary, and my days will be planned for me. But from now until June is my downtime, and I’d really love to spend it getting to know you better. You intrigue me.”
Stroking his thumb over my knuckles, he added, “I know meeting someone’s family isn’t a normal first date, but the Prescotts are a laid-back bunch, and we don’t bite. But I understand if you don’t want to go.”
Trying to ignore the tingles his touch ignited, I said, “It’s not that I don’t want to go. I’d like to get to know you too.”
He fascinated me, not just because he was a senator, but because he wasn’t like any man I’d ever met. On the other hand, I’d known him less than a day, and common sense told me to be wary and take things slowly. Although my mind waged an inner battle with itself, overall I was optimistic, and I hadn’t felt that way in over a decade.
His gaze hopeful but his tone firm, he said, “So it’s settled. You’ll come?”
I nodded, and butterflies filled my stomach.
? ? ?
Did I even sleep? All I did was toss and turn when I went to bed after Drake left. Thoughts of him and what it would mean to be with him plagued me, twisting my insides into a tight knot.
What was I thinking when I let him kiss me? Considering how my body had responded to him so immediately, it was crazy for me to do.
I sighed and rolled over, hugging my pillow. Staring at my cell phone, I decided to cancel. I should have stuck with my first instinct and declined his offer. Now I was going to look like a fool, but I had no choice.
LUCY: Hi. Thanks again for yesterday, but I need to cancel going with you today.
I stared at the words and although it saddened me a bit, the knot in my stomach began to loosen, so I sent it.
DRAKE: That’s disappointing. Anything I can say to change your mind?
LUCY: No, but thank you for the invitation.
DRAKE: Are you okay?
Was I? No. I was conflicted and restless, but I decided to keep that to myself.
LUCY: Yes, I’m fine. Have fun with your family.