Page 31

Evie

I didn't get much sleep last night or the night before. All night, Wild's words and the look in his eyes kept playing in my head in a loop. I'm exhausted from playing hide and seek with the covers.

I walked with my head in the clouds throughout the day, so much more than one co-worker commented. Even when I had to stay back to spoon-feed a three-year-old who favored hiding his food to get more play time, I had my head in the clouds. I still have my head in the clouds and not in the graceful, flying Superman style. I have sticky legs stretching to the heavens because I live in a universe where Wild might like me.

Like, really, really like me. He had tears in his eyes talking about me.

Now, Wild is in the backyard, the notes we took from the library sticking out from his back pocket, and he's focused. He's sweaty, and I'm staring.

"Hmmmm."

I really should stop staring. This much staring can't be healthy. My eyes might fall out at this point. I'm better off making myself useful by preparing a cold drink for the sweaty man.

"Hmmmm." Kristyn pushes her foot against my stomach, and I glare at her.

"I will stop the massage if you don't behave."

She rubs her stomach. "Your godchild loves it. Is there a reason why Wild is acting like this garden is going to be photographed for home and gardens magazine?"

I want us to share a deck chair in your garden--when it's blooming--and I will read my favorite Sanderson book to you. And you better not fall asleep.

I dodge Kristyn's probing stare by fleeing into the house through the back door.

With my back flat against the door, I try to calm my rampaging heart. My mind inevitably starts a replay of our first date, all Wild said, his smiles, him listening to me like every word out of my mouth is a life-altering nugget of wisdom. I throw my fist into my mouth to hold back a moan as I slide to the floor in a puddle.

I don't know how long I stay that way, daydreaming until Kristyn calls for me. Quickly, I fix the drinks and take them out. Jackie is a playful menace running around and between Wild's legs. As I walk towards him, each step feels significant. If this were a movie, this moment would reappear in a later scene, probably towards the end.

"Thanks,"he murmurs in a gravelly voice.

I don't watch as he drinks because there's only so much I can take.

"Getting ready for our next date?"he asks me.

I take the cup with a shake of my head. Without research, there aren't many ideas for memorable, once-in-a-lifetime dates. "Still thinking."

He waggles his eyebrows. "You can throw me the pass if you can't handle it. I've done my research, and I know exactly where we're having our next date."

"You do?"I murmur, but I'm not surprised. Wild doesn't say what he doesn't mean. And I might mean a lot to this man who took time away from watching game films to work on my garden so that he can fulfill his fantasy of reading to me.

In a daze, I return to Kristyn. She's saying something, but I can't hear her past the buzz in my ears.

I watch Wild work. As I watch, he picks up a small block of wood and brings it to his nose. His palms run down the length of the wood like it's something precious. Then he does something that draws a playful snicker from me: he shoves the wood into his back pocket.

Going from a basketball superstar to a small carpenter doesn't sound attractive.

I know exactly where I'm taking him for real date number two. I won't bother competing with him for thousand-dollar dinner dates. A girl's gotta protect her savings. This date will be memorable and affordable. Thank you.

"Whoa, you're scaring me."

I snap back to the present, and Kristyn blinks at me like I'm a masquerade wearing long horns and flaming slippers. "What?"

"You should see yourself."She pushes her phone in my face. "You better start talking."

My hand creeps to my mouth as I watch the video of my most random thoughts play out on screen. No wonder Kristyn looks so scared. One second, I'm smiling, then I'm wistful, then frowning, and the final one: pure joy.

"Very scary," I agree.

"What's going on with you?"

So, I tell her.

When I tell her about Ruth and Shonda Richardson, Kristyn scowls. She wants a confrontation. I want my godchild far away from my past. Kristyn doesn't want to hear it. When I start talking about the seven real dates, a magical transformation comes over her.

By the time I'm done, she's chortling in delight. "I'm so happy for you."

"This is real life,"I remind myself and her, "it might not work out."

"But you get to experience this joy."She squeezes my hand. "No human can promise certainty. We just take chances every day, hoping with good sense and hard work everything will work out."

Then she grins, reverting to her usual unserious self. "Enjoy this, and you better not hold out on the recaps. I don't want to miss an episode!"

"It's not a drama, Dummy."

"It sounds like one." Then dreamily, she coos. "Seven real dates to true love."

"Seven real dates versus seven fake ones," I return, getting into her game.

"Seven dates to choosing a life partner."

Snickering, I say, "The road to happily ever after: The seven real dates experience."

We giggle like fools. Jackie gets attracted to the commotion and leaps on us. Wild threatens to get Charlie to come 'corral'his wife. Kristyn responds by threatening to send him on permanent exile to Charity, recalls Charity is practically a paradise and starts googling a worthy punishment.

My sides hurt from laughing, and Jackie won't stop licking my face. I've never been happier.

The next day, I send Wild instructions for our date.

Time: noon. I'm picking you up, and don't even think of one-upping me on this one.

Dress code: Casual. And fun.

◆◆◆

Saturday bright and early, I strap an excited Jackie to her new dog seat—if we mess up Charlie's car, he will kill us. We're leaving for Wild's house an hour early because I'm not giving him a chance to one-up me. I know how that man thinks.

Jackie barely sits still through the ride. She rarely gets a chance to enjoy a car ride with me.

At Wild ’ s, the door opens before I get a chance to knock. "You were going to come pick us up, weren't you?"I ask Wild.

He looks stunned. Did I put that look on his face? Yes, I might have. I need a little pinch to wake from this beautiful dream.

What I get is Wild stepping away. He leans against the opposite wall and watches me.

"I wasn't going to one-up you,"he says.

"You weren't?"It doesn't fit with the man I know who doesn't want me lifting a finger. That line of thought leads me to the dangerous one of wondering if he would prefer a housewife or a working one. Now, I want to smack myself. We're still figuring out the dating thing, and I'm already picturing myself as a real wife.

His eyes go dark. "I gave it some serious thought all night—"

It means he hasn't been sleeping well like me.

"I decided I want to be wooed—"

Oh .

"I want to hear sweet words too—"

Be still my heart.

He smirks. "I hope you have your sweet words dictionary ready because I will need to hear many of them."

I shamelessly fan myself, and Wild laughs.

"So why are you already dressed?"

The casual pose instantly disappears, and a flood of red tinges his cheeks. Without answering, he turns and moves farther into the house. Curious at his reaction, I follow.

“Wild?"

He opens the door to his bedroom, and I go in.

"My goodness,"I murmur. At first glance, it looks like a storm blew in. No, it's worse—a bad break-in. There are clothes and jerseys and... a mannequin.

“I wanted to look good for you.” Still blushing furiously, he spreads out his arms wide. “Did I succeed?”

I look him over thoroughly: Jeans, button down, rolled up sleeves. “Ten over ten.”

We leave the house much later. I'm driving, and Jackie has fallen asleep in the back seat. Wild is on a Zoom call with his team and some coaching staff.There'san aspect of his game they want him to bring to the fore. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at their game plan before a big game is fascinating.

And I feel Wild should have attended this meeting in person. I tried to get him to change his mind, but he assured me the meeting was likely one of many. This first one was to let everyone know what the potential game plan was; then, everyone would watch the film and do research, and more meetings would follow.

It's a beautiful drive through the countryside. It's also my first wood fair, and I can't wait to clock Wild's reaction to the whole thing.

"You know you can tell me where we're going."He pulls the headphones from his ear.

I give him a look. I know his game.

"This suspense is unnecessary,"he complains half a second later.

I don't bother with a response.

"You can whisper it. I assure you the surprise will still be a surprise."

I tune him out to focus on the map. A big group is organizing the wood fair to promote their world of wood and their skills in everything woodcraft. I don't understand precisely how it works, but I know there will be lots of 'wood things', and guess who loves wood?

"We are here,"I announce five minutes later.

Wild sniffs the air, and I look away. Why is that so attractive? Help, I have lost my senses.

He looks around, and I see the moment he gets it. His jaw goes slack. "Evie Cassandra," he murmurs, stretching out the 'Cassandra' like a song.

He gets out of the car and begins to wander around the stalls. I'm right. There is a lot of wood. So many. Quickly, I get Jackie out and follow in Wild's wake.

I think he's forgotten he didn't come here alone.

Stopping at a stall with childish watercolor drawings across the front, I pick up a magic wand made from wood. Wow. There are bowls, walking sticks, and other items I can't even place, all made from wood.

The air smells clean, of sunshine and wood and nature. Wild is engaged in an animated conversation with a man in a cowboy hat. I stop by his side and give the man a nod.

Wild pauses the conversation and curls a hand around my waist. "My girl."

And then they continue talking like he hasn't just squeezed a fist around my lungs.

There's going to be a competition. I can't wrap my head around the connection between wood-making and a competition. But when the competitors line up, there are no smiles: just men and their tools and a determination to win.

The competition involves making something; there's a time limit and a crowd of cheerleaders made up of families and friends.

Wild's new friend is among the competitors.

I find myself screaming encouragement along with the others. It's hard work, and the men are so fast, it's incredible.

Wild's new friend doesn't win.

They exchange numbers before we leave.

"When you're ready,"the man says, "it's important to work with an established woodworker first."He shakes his head. "But I doubt I will see you again. Woodwork is hard work."

Wild glances at me sideways with his eyebrows raised. What do you think? Am I going to see him again?

Totally . I should warn Charlie he just got slammed off Wild's number-one best friend podium.

We feast on delicious hamburgers and fries, andit'ssuch a treat to see the pure bliss on Wild's face. When it's time to leave, I get Jackie situated. Predictably, Wild offers to drive.

"What happened to your little speech about wanting to be wooed?"

"You must be exhausted."He spread his hands. "Just trying to be a gentleman."

I grin at him and walk around the car to the passenger side. I open the door, struggling to hide my laughter.

He nods approvingly. "Very good. I know you must be exhaust—"

"Your chariot awaits, Sir,"I announce with a bow.

Wild starts laughing. "You're a menace."He rubs the bridge of his nose. "Fine."

I stop and look him over when we get to his electronic gates. He returns my look, seemingly relaxed, but his jaw clench gives him away.

I look away. Wild never shuts up about Richard or his siblings showing up unannounced, but they all have the code to his house. And he's never changed it.

That's the kind of person he is.

"You drove me to school on my first day of work. It was the middle of a hectic season, and then I got the gift box from you welcoming me to the '9-5' club."

I meet his burning eyes and don't stop talking. I'm trying not to rush because my chest feels so full. But there are so many words. I don't need a dictionary to find words to tell him how much he means to me because the words are engraved in my heart.

"I hugged that box filled with mostly leggings, yoga pants, and fancy shorts in my size because, of course, you already knew what I wear to work. I loved that you knew and remembered that. But when I saw you waiting to drive me to work..."

I trail off.

"You're my man crush,"I admit in a lower tone. "My K-drama male lead. I find you insanely attractive. And hmmm, there."

He's so quiet.

My heart is pinging around like a room full of bouncing balls in my chest. I sneak a look up, andhe's...awed.

And grateful.

Wild reaches out a hand. It trembles lightly and takes forever to reach me, but it does. Gently, so gently, I let out a gasp. He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. His fingers blaze a trail of fire across my skin.

"Thank you," he whispers.

And he stumbles out of the car, leaving me gasping for air.