Page 51 of That Rush

“I gave you permission to ask.”

“I remember.”

Her gaze moves toward my truck. “Did you bring something?”

“Dinner and the book your fictional boyfriend uses to waste three paragraphs.”

“You brought your own copy?”

“I did the assigned reading.”

She laughs softly, and the sound pulls me one step closer.

“The food stays in the truck unless you say yes,” I say.

“And if I say no?”

“I drive home, eat two dinners, and finish the book.”

“That sounds devastating.”

“I’ll recover eventually.”

Paige leans against the door frame, waiting.

I keep my hands at my sides and ask the question plainly.

“Paige, will you have dinner with me tonight? Right here, at your cabin, with your book and your Friday still included?”

Paige studies me so long I start to think bringing an entire meal was a poor strategic decision.

“What did you bring?”

“Vegetable lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and dessert.”

“You brought an entire meal, not even knowing if I’d let you in.”

“I planned to eat regardless.”

“Two dinners, apparently.”

“I’m a large man.”

She smiles. “Fine. You can bring in your very practical dinner.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, Aiden. I’ll have dinner with you.”

Her yes lands deep in my gut. I keep the satisfaction from turning into a grin because she is watching for one.

“I’ll get the food.”

“And the book.”

I glance toward my truck. “You want to see my notes?”

“I want to know which parts you misunderstood.”