Come Away With Me(32)
“Shoes.”
“You like shoes?”
“I’m a woman. I am desperately, irrevocably in love with shoes.”
“What do the new shoes look like?”
“Red stiletto Louboutins.” I grin as I think about my sexy new shoes.
He whistles. “Wow.”
“Yes, they are wow.” I laugh.
Suddenly it’s quiet and I think I’ve lost the call.
“Luke?”
“Yeah, sorry, I was just imagining you wearing nothing but those shoes and pearls.”
“Wow,” I murmur.
“Yes, it was wow.” His voice is low and I hear his grin and I just want to touch him.
“What else did you do today?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“Well, ironically enough, we went to the movies.”
I hear him gasp. “I thought you didn’t watch many movies.”
“I don’t, but I had a rough morning and wanted to forget for a little while, so we overdosed on popcorn and soda and a bare chested Vin Diesel.”
“Was it good?”
“A bare chested Vin Diesel is always good,” I reply haughtily.
“You wound me, Natalie.”
“A bare chested Luke is better,” I whisper.
“That’s better,” he whispers back.
“I like it when you whisper.”
“You do? Why?”
“It’s hot.”
“Really?”
“Very hot.” Oh, I love this flirtiness that we have.
“I’ll remember that.”
I suddenly wish I’d taken him up on his offer to go to his house now, so before I can make an ass of myself and beg, I end the call.
“Nine o’clock tomorrow?” I ask.
“I’ll have breakfast waiting,” he murmurs.
“Good night.”
“Good night, beautiful,” he whispers.
***
I wake to an incessant doorbell. I glance at the alarm clock. Who the hell is ringing my doorbell at seven thirty in the damn morning? I fumble around for yoga pants and a shirt and grumpily trudge down the stairs.
Standing at my door is a young blond girl, maybe sixteen, holding a Starbucks to-go cup and a single red rose.
“Are you Natalie?” she asks with a smile.
“Yes.”
“These are for you.” She’s excited as she pushes them toward me.
“Uh, thanks.” I take them from her, pushing the rose against my nose.
“There’s a note too.” She holds it out to me, and claps her hands. “This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen in my life!”
I laugh at her excitement and open my door wider so she can see the dozens of bouquets of roses in the living room. Her eyes about pop out of her pretty little head.
“Holy shit! Wow. You’re so lucky. Bye!” She waves and is off.
I take a sip of the coffee – oh God, that’s good. How did he know white mochas are my favorite? – and open the note.
Good morning, gorgeous. Just a little something to start your day off right. Can’t wait to see you. Luke
Holy Moses, he’s just so sweet. Jules comes down the stairs yawning.
“Who was at the door?”
“Does Starbucks deliver?” I ask.
“Uh, I wish.” She eyes my coffee and the rose.
“A girl just delivered these.”
“Jesus, this is starting to get sickening.” Jules heads for the kitchen and I laugh, following her.
“I’m going to see him this morning.”
“Good. I don’t want the details.” She starts making her own coffee. “Wait. You’re the only one getting laid. Yes, I do want details. And pictures.”
I grin and bury my nose in the rose again. “I’m not going to sleep with him. We’re just going to talk.”
“Right.”
“We are.”
“Okay. Let me know how that works out for you.” She sets the coffee to drip, then smiles over at me. “I’m glad you’re giving him a chance.”
“Just because he’s the Luke Williams?”
“No, because he’s a good guy who finally treats you the way you deserve to be treated.”
“What am I getting myself into?”
“Something fun.” She shrugs. “Stop over thinking it and enjoy it.”
“Okay. I’m going to shower and head over to his place for breakfast.”
“Be safe.” She calls after me.
“I always am.” I call back.
***
I stand at Luke’s door and pause before ringing the bell. Am I overdressed? I glance down at my yellow sundress and strappy black sandals. Summer is hanging on with a vengeance, and it’s going to be warm today. Maybe I should have worn shorts.
Maybe I should stop procrastinating and ring the damn doorbell.