Page 22 of Big Girl Panties

“I…" My mind raced, grasping for excuses as I opened and closed my mouth like a fish out of water because there was no way I was getting into a bathing suit with him. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him. "I, uh, I can't swim." That was a lie. I loved being in the water and swimming, and the sound of a boat day sounded so amazing, but I wasn't that comfortable yet.

He narrowed his eyes, and I held my breath, wondering if he was going to call me out on my bullshit, but he didn't.

His smile faltered for a moment, his shoulders sagging slightly before he caught himself, quickly hiding the disappointment flickering in his eyes. My chest tightened, and I found it hard to take a full breath. "Okay, then, I guess…"

"I'm sorry," I sighed, my eyes closing and my head hanging. "That's not the reason."

"So, you don't want to go?" He raised a brow and cocked his head.

"I do want to go. I'm just…" I trailed off.

"Scared of boats? Get seasick? Afraid I'll make you walk the plank?"

I smiled. "Worse."

"Worse than walking the plank?" His face twisted with confusion.

"I'm scared of wearing a bathing suit in front of you."

Matt blinked. "That's your definition of worse than walking the plank?"

"Have you seen me in a bathing suit?"

"No, but I'm hoping to remedy that situation."

My chest swelled. Matt had a way of making everything okay.

"Then we'll wait," he smiled. "Until you aren't scared anymore, and I'll still come to help you get ready to open the café back up anyway."

"And wear the pink apron?" I teased.

His eyes flicked down to my lips, lingering there a beat longer than necessary before meeting my gaze again. "Will it make you smile like that?" I nodded as my smile faded.

I shifted in my seat, suddenly hyper-aware of every point where our bodies touched, and heat pooled between my thighs. "Then yeah, I'll wear it."

I stared at him, half expecting him to disappear like a mirage. God, where did this man come from? He was almost too good to be true.

"Do you have any plans for tonight?"

"No."

"Will you go to dinner with me?"

I pretended to consider it. "Will there be dessert?"

"The best dessert."

"Okay, but if this turns out to be another disaster, I'm blaming you."

"Deal. But just so we're clear, I’m really hoping for disaster."

"Why?"

"Because all the best love stories start with disasters." He helped me down from the table, our hands lingering together. "Plus, I've got a feeling you're worth the chaos."

I looked around my destroyed café, then back at Matt's hopeful face. "You know what? Let's find out."

And if the universe was listening, maybe, just maybe, this disaster would turn out to be exactly what I needed.