Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(22)

I hardly make it through a few hours at the dealership because I’m so eager to get to the date.

My new dorm room has been a blessing. I keep to myself, and appreciate that the girl I share the room with is hardly ever there. Apparently she’s part of a sorority, but still spends half her time at the dorm.

She’s nice. I can see myself being friends with her while I’m in school. I’ve made her aware of my situation, so she’s been pretty supportive, always asking if I’m okay. It’s nice to feel cared about. She even offered to beat Shaun’s ass, which I don’t think is entirely possible, but I appreciate the thought just as much.

I’ve changed my clothes so many times that I’m running out of options. Josh is due to pick me up any minute, and even though I’ve showered, done my hair, and applied a little makeup, I’m standing in my underwear dumbfounded.

A knock on the door causes me to jump. I run in the direction, but don’t open it right away in case it’s someone else.

“Who is it?”

“Just a lonesome handsome cowboy, looking for his beauty queen.”

I crack up, move out of the way, and allow him entrance.

He immediately takes me in. “I’m good with the clothing choice, but I’m not sure it’s allowed in public restaurants. You at least need shoes and a shirt.”

I pat him on the chest as he pulls me into a welcomed embrace. “I forgot how nice you feel.” We kiss slowly, as if nothing else is waiting. “It’s good to see you, Tamsyn.”

“Same.”

I back away and open my arms. “I’ve tried on everything in my closet and you show up here in a pair of jeans.”

“I told you don’t get too dressed up. Wear anything. I’m sure you’ll look fantastic. Just hurry up. Our table is ready in fifteen minutes.”

“Our table?”

“Did you think we were going to a drive-thru?”

“No,” I hesitate. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect.”

He clenches his jaw as he attempts to read me. “Normally I’d take a female to a nice place to eat with hopes that I’d impress her enough to warrant a late night thank you, if you catch my drift.”

I smirk. “Yeah, I get it.”

He lifts my chin so I’m unable to look away. “It doesn’t apply to this date. Unless you think I need to work to get into these panties.” He tugs on them as he explains.

“What if I said I wanted to slow things down?”

Josh takes a step back. He crosses his arms and shakes his head with a big smile forming at each side of his lips. “Then I’d have to respect your wishes, but I won’t like them.”

“Because you’re used to getting what you want?”

A nod says it all. “Yeah, that’s right. I am.”

“Because you’re used to being with people who will give you what you want, and if they don’t you’ll move on, right?”

He shrugs. “I reckon that’s right.”

“So by me saying I want to slow down, it’s possible I could be ending whatever this is between us.”

“You’re putting words in my mouth that I didn’t say.”

“I just need to make sure this isn’t all fun and games for you, because if it is, we need to quit while we’re both ahead.”

I can tell he’s shaken by my buoyant behavior, so I reiterate. “Sorry. I’m only saying it because I don’t want to get to hurt.”

“I can’t promise I won’t hurt your feelings. I’m a simple man with simple needs. I’m interested in you and I’d like to keep seeing you, but if you’re having second thoughts I’m willing to step back.”

“Let’s start with dinner.”

He points to a pair of jeans on the bed. “Wear those. Oh,” he states while sitting down in a chair to wait. “Don’t forget a change of clothes.”

“Why?”

“I’ll tell you in a while.”

I want to trust this man, because he’s beautiful and wholesome and a lot more things I’d love to explore. That’s what scares me. I feel like he’s too good to be true, and far be it from me to assume any man would want to change for me.

Regardless of my doubts, I dress quickly and pack a bag of necessities, including my toothbrush that he has me toss in at the last minute. “What are you up to?”

“You’ll see. By the way, you look gorgeous.”

I’m blushing again. “Thanks.”

He pulls his fingers through some of my long hair. “How long have you been blonde?”

“A couple years, why?”

“No reason. I just wonder how you’d look as a brunette.”

“Plain,” I reply.

He snickers. “I highly doubt that’s possible.”

“It’s true. Are you into brunettes?” I suddenly want to know, like I’d go and change my hair if it would win his heart. How silly is that?

“I don’t have a preference, but in my honest opinion, after seeing you without makeup, I’d say you don’t need to do all the work you put into your hair and face every day.”

I shove him. “You’re totally trying to have sex with me, aren’t you?”