For the Love of Donuts

30. First Date

Skye

Me: Ya know, you could change your mind and just tell me what we’re doing tonight.

Tatum: I could.

Tatum: But I won’t.

Me: WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME?

Tatum: Dang, I can’t wait to see you.

Me: Even if I’m scowling the whole time?

Tatum: You won’t be scowling the whole time.

Tatum: I guarantee it.

That was our text conversation from earlier today, and now I’m getting ready for our date.

The big event.

The main attraction.

The special occasion.

Yes, I’m stalling.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for our first date, but I’m also fricking nervous. What if it’s just too awkward? What if I don’t like whatever he has planned for us? What if—

“Skye!” Anna gasps. “You’re not done yet? What the heck is going on?”

Because Anna is the one who usually runs late. Not me.

“It’s all good,” I croon, tossing up a peace sign. “I just have to throw on a pair of pants and a top. No biggie.”

More specifically, I’ll be wearing a pair of black, high-waisted flare pants and a hot pink cami crop top. Dria told me the pants make my butt look bigger, but I’m not convinced.

“Okay, okay,” Anna says, walking away from my room, “I just don’t want you to be late for your first date . that’s all.”

“Anna, you said you wouldn’t be weird about this!” I holler after her as I start changing clothes. “Otherwise, I would’ve insisted on you not being here when Tatum comes to pick me up!”

“Who’s being weird?” she asks with a scoff. “I’m not being weird. I mean, it’s not like I’m going to take pictures of you guys together—”

“Stoppppp!” I whine, tugging on a pair of my old sneakers. “That’s not even funny!”

“Do we need to have the safe sex talk?” she calls from the kitchen. “Should I tell Tatum to have you back here before midnight?”

“I will literally hide all of your crochet hooks if you keep this up!” I yell back. “And I’ll look up spoilers for that telenovela you started!”

“BARBARIAN!”

I roll my eyes before spritzing on some of my Cotton Candy Dreams body spray. “You started it!”

“Hey,” she says, coming back over to me, “kind of off-topic—but also still related—what are you going to do about Zoya?”

I stare at her in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Well, if you and Tatum are dating now, don’t you think that might cause problems for your fake engagement? Wasn’t the plan for you guys to ‘break up’ at some point after the Dovell Donuts anniversary party and after you get the promotion? How’s that going to work if you guys are actually together now?”

Oh. I hadn’t thought about that.

Truthfully, I forgot we were supposed to “break up” at all. I don’t even know if I ever told Tatum about my solution for getting out of our fake relationship.

“Never mind, girlie, the look on your face says it all.” Anna proceeds to wince. “Sorry, I was just wondering, so I figured I’d ask.”

I drag a hand down the side of my face. “Your timing sucks, Lopez.”

“I’m sorry!” she apologizes again as my phone buzzes. “Don’t worry about it right now, okay? Just enjoy your date! And you know what? I’m going to clean the bathroom while you’re gone. Yep, I know it’s technically your turn, but I’ve got it covered!”

She dashes out of the room, and I try to take a calming breath before I check my buzzing phone.

Tatum: I’m here, Pink Stuff.

Tatum: Don’t worry about letting me in though, Mrs. Nelson already did.

Tatum: She also invited me to come watch her bowl on Thursday nights as long as I “don’t fall for any of the other ladies on her team.”

He sends a skull emoji after that last text, and I laugh a little.

Me: She’s relentless smh.

Tatum: Skyeeeee, open the door.

Tatum: I want to see that pretty scowl.

Ugh, I can’t with him.

I whisper bye to Sprinkles, because she fell asleep like the cute little bunny she is, and then I walk out toward the main area of our apartment where Anna is making herself a sandwich.

“I’m leaving,” I say, pocketing my phone, “but don’t worry about the bathroom, I’ll do it after work tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she squeaks, her wide eyes filled with guilt. “I really am sorry for bringing up Zoya and the fake relationship stuff though!”

I give her a quick hug. “I know you are. Don’t sweat it. Everything will work out.”

She doesn’t look convinced, and frankly, neither am I. But I can’t focus on any of that right now, otherwise this whole night is going to be ruined, and I don’t want that to happen.

My phone buzzes again, along with our doorbell, letting me know that Tatum is getting antsy. And being extra annoying.

“I know, I know!” I exclaim, making my way to the door. “I’m coming now!”

This is it.

Our first date is about to start.

Despite the strong urge to go hide under the covers on my bed, I force myself to unlock the door instead. And then I toss it open before I can change my mind. Crap, does he look hot.

His basketball shorts are a dark sage color, and he’s wearing them with a baggy white T-shirt that has some random logo on it. Yeah, I’m definitely glad we agreed on dressing comfy.

Tatum curses mildly as he takes me in, and my nerves are tingling under his appreciative gaze. “I knew it. You look so good, Carson.”

I bite my lip. “Thanks, you do too.”

Stop acting shy! You’re going out with Tatum—not some guy you barely even know—chill out !

“Ready to go?”

I nod to keep myself from saying something stupid, and then I close the apartment door behind me.

“So, no scowling yet,” he teases me as we start walking down the hallway. “I’m kind of disappointed.”

I fake an exaggerated scowl. “Is this what you wanted?”

“Yes,” he drawls, taking hold of my hand, “that’s exactly what I wanted.”

“Gasps!” I say, pressing my other hand to my chest. “Grabbing my hand on our first date? What kind of girl do you think I am?”

“Mmm…” He proceeds to kiss the back of my hand. “You’re the kind of girl that I’ve been missing like crazy.”

“You just saw me yesterday.”

“Doesn’t matter.” This time he kisses my wrist. “I still missed you.”

My stomach tightens as warmth spreads through me. “I missed you too.”

He gives my hand a light squeeze. “Ya know, I told myself that I wouldn’t actually kiss you until the end of tonight, but it’s going to be so much harder than I thought.”

The end of tonight?

That feels like a whole lifetime away!

I don’t think I can wait that long…

Correction: I know I can’t wait that long.

I flash him an innocent look. “I don’t think one quick little kiss would hurt anything.”

“Well,” he says, using his free hand to tuck a few waves of hair behind my ear, “how can I disagree with that?”

I lean in ever so slightly. “You can’t.”

“You’re right,” he mutters, his gaze dropping to my lips, “I can’t.”

His mouth greets mine with the tenderest of brushes, and I love how familiar it feels to be kissed by Tatum, even if it’s still a newer sensation. I melt against his chest as I kiss him back just as softly, but then I’m not ready for it to be over yet. It can’t be over yet!

One quick little kiss could last a few seconds longer, right?

I give his bottom lip a gentle tug, silently begging him to let me in, and he responds with a quiet moan. A delicious, quiet moan that makes my knees go weak as I grip his toned arms for support. And yet, he holds back.

“Skye…”

His low voice is laced with a scolding edge to it, so I expect him to turn me down, but then he curses before giving me what I want. His mouth parts against mine and I take the opportunity to kiss him deeper. To taste him fully. How the heck did I think one quick little kiss would be enough? I’m ready to devour this man.

We tilt and slant in perfect harmony as our lips continue to find each other. As our bodies meld together. My hands slide up and down his arms. His fingers delve into my hair. And when he pulls on a few of the strands, I swear that everything else disappears. Well, until I hear the unmistakable sound of Mrs. Nelson’s voice.

“Sweet mercy! What on earth is this?”