A Simple Wish About love - Karice Bolton Page 0,37
if I tell you I see a spark between you two tonight or that I think he’s God’s gift to women and you shouldn’t let him go on a date with that woman?”
Erika laughed. “Why did I bring you again?”
“To protect and serve.” Shannon winked at Erika.
“Erika.” Slade’s deep voice wrapped around her like a gentle breeze from the Sound.
Her sister let out a little squeal, and Erika turned around to see Slade walking toward her.
He looked incredibly gorgeous.
Every ounce of him dripped with sexiness, and her mind went to the night they’d first video-chatted and he’d just showered. The beads of water glistening on his chest . . .
“Erika, you okay?” Shannon whispered.
Erika straightened and shook off the fantasy begging to be seen inside her mind.
“You didn’t mention how hot this BFF was,” Shannon teased under breath.
Erika stomped on Shannon’s toes just as Slade walked over to her. He glanced at Erika and then at her sister.
“Where’s Scott? Didn’t you mention he was coming?”
“I keep being stood up by him. He got a better offer.”
Slade smiled and glanced at Shannon. “I keep hearing that in my life too.”
Shannon giggled, and Erika knew she was a lost cause.
“You look beautiful.” He leaned and kissed Erika’s cheek, which should have been completely innocent, but it nearly dropped Erika to her knees.
The brush of his lips against her skin was enough to undo her. Maybe this in-person meeting wasn’t such a great idea, after all.
“Slade, this is my sister, Shannon. Shannon, Slade.”
Erika’s sister stuck out her hand, and he shook it somewhat awkwardly. She hid a smile and snuck a peek at Slade.
“Nice to meet you.”
Shannon grinned. “You too. I thought I should come to check out the man my sister seems to talk about nonstop.”
Erika scowled at her sister. “In a completely platonic way.”
“What other way would there be?” Slade laughed.
Erika pointed at him and smiled. “Exactly. Are you ready for dinner? I’m starving.”
“Absolutely.” Shannon nodded.
“I wasn’t asking you.” Erika laughed and noticed the admiration in Slade’s gaze.
“You two look a lot alike.” He walked next to Erika, following her to the local chowder house that was known for its giant bowls of clam chowder and heaping plates of fish and chips.
“Thanks.” Erika grinned. “I’ll take that compliment whenever I can. Shannon always looks so put together and styled.”
“It’s only because I’m a hairstylist,” Shannon assured her.
Slade leaned over, his lips accidentally touching Erika’s ear. “I think you’re beautiful exactly how you are.”
Erika’s cheeks warmed, and she glanced at Slade as he straightened up.
Shannon had already gotten to the chowder house, several steps ahead of them, and hurried inside.
“Thanks for coming out here to see me,” Erika said softly.
“You’re the one who had the long drive from the mountain. I just had a car bring me here. I should be thanking you.” He yanked on the door to the restaurant, and her sister had already been seated.
Erika smiled. “She must be starving.”
“That makes two of us,” Slade said as his hand slowly ran down Erika’s back.
The thrill of his touch sent another unexpected thrill through her on the way to the table. She glanced behind her, and he smiled before pulling out her seat.
“Quite the gentleman,” Shannon said, opening the menu.
As the three of them sat at the table, Erika hid a smile. It suddenly felt like her sister was the third wheel.
No, more like a chaperone.
“I don’t even have to open the menu,” Erika said, sitting back in the chair. “I’m having the bowl of chowder with a side salad.”
“The bowl?” Shannon’s brows shot up.
“Okay, fine. The mondo bowl.” Erika shrugged.
“The mondo?” Slade asked, scanning the menu.
“It’s a tad bigger than a normal bowl of soup,” Erika attempted to explain.
Shannon laughed. “A tad? It’s more than a tad. It’s twice as much as a regular bowl.”
Erika grinned. “If you’re going to get technical, I suppose it’s marginally bigger.”
“Sounds right up my alley.” Slade closed the menu and his gaze stayed on Erika’s.
It was like only the two of them were in the restaurant.
“How was your visit with your parents?” Erika asked. She didn’t know how much Slade wanted to share with her sister, so she tried to keep the topic at surface level.
“It went really well.” He nodded, his eyes staying on Erika’s.
“Thank goodness. I’m so glad. Sometimes, we can just really dream up the worst possible scenarios in our heads, and then the real thing isn’t so bad.”
Slade nodded, smiling. “I really appreciate your giving me that little nudge.