When You're Ready (Ready #1)(20)

Crap. I’m in so much trouble.

She was giving me that look. The look that said I had broken the “girl code.”

"Clare Elizabeth Murray. He gave you his number? When? Sunday?"

I nodded, unable to hide the grin that spread across my face.

"And you didn't tell me until now?"

Still not talking, I nodded, again, grinning like an idiot.

"What the hell? I hate you," she said, pouting.

"Oh stop, you do not. I didn't tell you because it's nothing. He gave it to me because he invited Maddie and me to see Swan Lake on Saturday. He obviously needed a way to contact me. It's not a big deal," I said, looking away from her penetrating gaze and taking a sip of my coffee.

I decided not to mention how we had been texting and calling each other ever since. She would probably make a big deal out of that, too. I was still trying not to overanalyze anything. He was so hot and cold, I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. But every time I saw his name flash across my phone, my stomach would flutter. Our conversations started out innocent - figuring out what time he was going to pick us up on Saturday, where we should eat, but then we would somehow start talking about something entirely different. When we would start to wrap up our conversation, he’d say “I’ll call you later.” And he would.

"Um, excuse me. That's a big f**king deal. He asked you out!" Leah exclaimed.

"What? No, he didn’t. Did you hear what I said? He basically asked Maddie out. I'm only there for supervision. I think he's just being nice."

God, how I hoped he was not being nice. Did he ask us because he wanted to spend more time with me, or was he really just doing it for Maddie? I had convinced myself of the latter, but I was hoping for the former.

"Men that hot don't do “nice” Clare. He's taking the two of you, but he wants to see you first and foremost. I can guarantee it. I mean, which one of you will be wearing a thong?” she asked.

"Um, neither?"

"What? Oh God, you do need work. Come on, we’re going shopping.”

~Logan~

"This is not a date," I chanted to myself for the hundredth time as I pulled my car into Clare's driveway. I don't know why I was so damn nervous. I was acting like a f**king woman. I changed my tie twice, cut myself shaving, and paced the floor like a pansy, just waiting for the minutes to tick down until I could leave.

I had been nervous all week. When I’d blurted out my invitation to the ballet, I was desperate. I had been standing at Clare’s front door, unable to leave. I knew, standing there, I wouldn’t have another random chance like the one I had that day and I couldn’t leave it up to fate. Deciding to do the opposite of my status quo, I seized an opportunity and brought up the ballet. I walked out that night feeling both relieved at the thought of seeing Clare again and nervous as hell. We spent the rest of the week talking, continuing her attempt at the jelly bean game via text. We learned a lot about each other in a short amount of time. I knew where she went to college and that she majored in history. I knew she was obsessed with yoga and she knew I loved to run. When I suggested I take her out one morning for a few miles she sent back an unhappy emoticon as a response and that was how I found out Clare hated running. Every time my phone vibrated, I found myself grinning like a f**king idiot hoping it was her. Clare was witty and clever and always kept me on my toes. Best of all, she didn’t give two shits who I was or where I came from.

Now, Saturday had finally arrived and I was sitting in her driveway like a f**king idiot wondering what to do. Getting out of the car would be a good place to start.

I hadn't been on a date since Melanie. Picking up women in bars and clubs didn't count as dates. With Melanie, I had never been nervous on our dates. Looking back, maybe that should have been a clue...and damn it, this wasn't a date! Now I really needed to get out of this car before she noticed me sitting out here like a stalker.

I walked up to the front door and saw the curtains flutter before hearing "He's here Mommy! Hurry up!!" followed by a little girl’s laughter. Apparently, knocking wasn't necessary, but I did so anyway. I heard little feet racing toward the door as Clare shouted at Maddie to check and make sure it was me first. There was a brief pause, followed by another giggle, and the door opened. An adorable Maddie all dressed up for an evening out wiggled her finger toward me motioning for me to come closer. I leaned down to her level and she whispered, “If Mommy asks, I looked out the window, k? I already knew it was you."

Chuckling at the thought of her trying to undermine her mom, I just nodded. I scooped her up and we entered the house together.

"Maddie, you look just like a princess." And she did. She wore a teal dress with a simple bodice and of course, a tulle glittery skirt. Her curly hair was tamed and pinned behind each ear with matching barrettes and glittery silver shoes.

"Mommy took me shopping and let me pick out whatever I wanted! I look like a ballerina, huh?" she said proudly as I put her down so she could twirl around to show off her sparkly skirt. I needed to remind myself to buy everything and anything covered in tulle and glitter.

"You sure do. You'll fit right in. How about your Mom? Does she look like a ballerina?" I asked, wondering when I would get to see Clare.

"No, Mommy never lets me dress her up. She says pink tutus don't go with red hair. She's got some grown up dress on."