Work doesn’t help.I try to focus, but every time I look at my desk, I see her.Every time I step outside, I remember her standing there.Every time I breathe, I swear I can still smell her.
I’m losing it.
My phone rings, and I grab it instantly.When I see her name on the screen, I freeze.My chest tightens as I scramble to answer it.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hi,” she says.
Just hearing her voice settles something in me.“You make it to work okay?”
“I did.You?”
“Yeah.”
A pause.Then, “Are you free tonight?”
My answer is immediate.“For you?Always.”
She laughs softly, and my chest does that stupid tight thing again.
“Good,” she says.“I was wondering if you wanted to go on a double date.”
I freeze.A what?
“With Rowan and her husband, Heath.”
My jaw tightens.I don’t like that.I don’t like the idea of sharing her.Not even a little, not with friends, not with anyone.But I also know there’s no way I’m saying no to spending time with her.Plus, I can hear the hopeful tone in her voice, and I can’t let her down.
Damn, I’m wrapped so tightly around her finger, and she doesn’t even know it.
“Yeah,” I say.“I can do that.”
“Really?”She sounds surprised.
“Yeah.”
She hums, pleased.“Okay.I’ll text you the details.”
“Sounds good.”
Another pause.
“Rune?”
“Yeah?”
“I had a really good time last night… and this morning.”
My grip tightens on the phone.Instantly, I’m hard as a rock.“Me too.”
Understatement of the century.
“Okay,” she says softly.“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yeah.”
We hang up, and I stare at my phone for a second before shoving it back into my pocket.Double date.Fine, I can do that.As long as she’s there, I can do anything.I just have to get through tonight, and then I’m telling her.There’s no way in hell I’m letting her think this is anything less than real.