When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,60
and looks away.
I narrow my eyes. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing bad. You’re going to love this.”
“That’s what Cade and you said when I was five and you convinced me to eat that pepper. It burned my nose hairs, Xander. My nose hairs.”
He chuckles. “That was hysterical. You were such a gullible kid.”
“Hey.” I smack my hand against his solid chest and give him a look like really?
He raises his hands innocently. “This isn’t like that at all.”
I huff out a breath. “Do I at least get a hint?”
He narrows his eyes and glances around my room. When he finds what he’s looking for, he jumps from my bed and grabs my shark slippers, then proceeds to hold them out to me.
“My shark slippers? That’s my hint? Seriously?”
He laughs. “It’ll all make sense soon. I promise.”
I snort. “It better. But do I have to wear this?”
He sighs. “I guess not. I doubt you’ll know where we’re going anyway.”
“Great, now I’m more scared.”
I hold out my hand with the blindfold and he takes it from me. He tucks it into his back pocket and mumbles, “Saving that for later.”
I snort. “Keep dreaming, buddy, unless you want to be blindfolded.”
He grins widely. “That has possibilities too.”
I choke on my own saliva and he laughs, clearly pleased at having left me speechless for a change.
“What should I wear for this mysterious outing?”
He shrugs. “Casual. I’m changing into jeans and a t-shirt.”
“Darn,” I say, frowning. “I love those sweatpants.” I waggle my brows and eye the noticeable bulge there.
He shakes his head at my antics, but a blush lightly stains his cheeks. I’d think he’d be used to the inappropriate things that come out of my mouth, but I guess I’ve only very recently been brave enough to say them. The poor guy has no idea the kinds of dirty thoughts I’ve had over the years.
“We’re leaving in an hour,” he tells me, lingering in the doorway to my bedroom. “Come on, Prue.” He whistles and the dog jumps up from the floor and follows him out.
I immediately go into overdrive to get ready. He might’ve said this is casual, but I hardly think my no makeup, messy bun, pajama-wearing self will be allowed. Heck, I don’t even have a bra on. It’s been a lazy day, which was much appreciated after the craziness of this week and the dinner with Xander’s family last night.
Thankfully, they were thrilled for him, and he and Cade made up, but I was so stressed over the whole thing I probably wore a hole through my stomach lining.
With five minutes to spare, I slip my feet into a pair of black flats. I straightened my hair, opting to do something different from my norm, and dressed in a pair of dark wash jeans and a black and white striped top. I added a necklace and a bracelet to dress it up a bit.
I grab my small black cross-body bag and sling it on, then head downstairs. Xander is hanging in the kitchen with Rae and Cade while she cooks dinner.
Xander stands when he sees me. “Ready?” I nod. He tips his head at the other two. “We’ll see you guys later.”
“Bye.” I wave and Rae gives me a look that tells me she’s going to expect me to give her a play-by-play of the whole evening. I seriously feel bad for all the times I pestered her like an annoying mosquito. I’m now being punished for that behavior by receiving the same treatment from her.
Xander pauses in the garage and turns around abruptly so I smack into his chest.
“Ow.” I rub my forehead. “What are you? Half rock? That hurt.”
He chuckles and rubs his thumb over the spot. “You’ll live.”
“Easy for you to say,” I mumble. “You didn’t walk headfirst into a boulder.”
He shakes his head at me. “I wanted to ask—truck or bike?”
“Bike,” I answer without a moment’s hesitation.
He grins. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
He heads over to his motorcycle and grabs one of the helmets, turning around and placing it on my head. He secures it and does the same with his. Then he hands me a riding jacket of my very own.
I slip my arms through the holes of the jacket. “If I didn’t love you before, I love you now,” I say.
He laughs. “Wow, all I had to do was buy you a jacket? Noted.”
“Well, that,” I begin, “and rub my stomach and tell me I’m cute—oh wait, that’s Prue.”