Page 67 of Finding My Charming

“He also told me to wear a bathing suit with comfortable clothes, so he obviously doesn’t have a normal date in mind.”

She made a humming sound like she was thinking deeply. “Sounds like a very unusual date indeed. What would happen during the day near water? And why would you need to be able to move and be comfortable?”

The first image that came to mind made me gasp. “Oh no!”

“What?”

“He’s taking me to a carwash! He probably wants me to help him for a fundraiser or something.”

“What are you talking about? How did you get to that conclusion?”

“It makes sense! Think about it!”

“He isn’t taking you there.”

“How do you know?”

“Because guys don’t ask girls they like to help at a carwash. Although that would be a good way for him to get you in a bikini for a good cause.”

“You’re not helping.” I was really starting to panic. As crazy as it was, I couldn’t think of anything else.

“You’re working yourself up over nothing. Just find your cutest bikini, maybe your lime green one, and wear your Lulu leggings. You’ll be fine.”

I nodded for a few minutes, envisioning the outfit she’d planned. “Okay.”

“You are going to have so much fun, and you were just talking about getting to know him! This is the perfect opportunity, Elle. Just be yourself and try to relax.”

This was the reason she was my best friend. She would celebrate with me when I was excited or talk me down when I needed reassurance. She was the best friend a girl could have.

I laid out my outfit and debated between shoes for a few minutes before deciding to put sandals and my Nikes by the door so I could quickly grab whichever ones I needed. I could do this. I hated surprises, but at least I was going to spend time with Dallin.

my plan worked perfectly. I was sitting next to the window, watching for him to pull up. Two minutes before ten he parked and slowly unfolded himself from the car. I took a second to appreciate his handsome, chiseled features, then my eyes slid down his form to his feet.

Ah-ha! I fell to the floor and pulled on socks and my shoes faster than I’d ever been able to before. I stood the same moment he knocked on the door.

I took a second to smooth my hair down and take a steadying breath before opening it. When I did, I was greeted with a bright smile. The little butterflies that took up residence in my stomach whenever he was around came to life, fluttering and making me a little queasy.

I’d never had such a physical reaction to another person. Sure, I’d been attracted to guys before, but never like this. This was different than with Vincent. That seemed so superficial compared to what I felt when I saw Dallin. Whoa! That realization startled me.

Vincent was the perfect one. We got along, and it felt so easy with him. Granted, I hadn’t felt much of a spark. At least, nothing like what happened when I was in the same proximity of Dallin, but maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. Dallin and I sometimes got along like oil and water.

“Are you all ready to go?” His smile had turned shy as if he’d taken my mental checkout as hesitation.

“Yeah! I packed a towel and water bottle. Anything else I should grab?”

His eyes swept over me then paused briefly at my neck and feet. His sparkling grin returned. “No, you look perfect.”

His cheeks turned slightly rosy when the words left his mouth. Either he hadn’t meant to say it aloud, or it had come out wrong.

I stepped out next to him and turned to close the door. When I looked back, the blush had disappeared.

“You don’t look too bad yourself.” That was a gross understatement. His shirt did little to hide his arms with defined — but not too bulky — muscles, and every time he moved, the fabric strained over his shoulders and chest. The restaurant should consider letting him wear t-shirts like this. Guaranteed, their sales would skyrocket… at least from female customers.

His skin was a golden tan that most people spent hours in a salon trying to achieve. It was barely even summer, and he was bronzed.

I was going to have to find a flaw soon, or I’d be completely gone by the end of the day.

The only thing I could think of was his teasing, but honestly, that had been what made me notice him in the first place. Sure, it had driven me crazy the first time, but he was fun, and everyone at work loved him. That had got to count for something. If anything, he was good at breaking the ice and making the people around him feel comfortable. That wasn’t a common trait for people our age. He seemed so much more mature than nineteen. Maybe that was what college and an extra year of life experience did to a person.