Chapter 9

I scrunch my nose. “I’m not sure ‘getting lost in the forest’ is a good trait. As evidenced by what happened to me today.”

“You can’t help your phone dying on you. Your plan wasn’t as flawed as you thought when you found me.”

“True.”

He slides his nose against mine, then presses a light kiss on my mouth. “I’d love to have dinner with you,” he says when he pulls back,” but unfortunately I can’t tonight. It’s our monthly family dinner and there’s no way I can get out of it.”

“No?”

He shakes his head. “‘Fraid not. I’m sure you’d be welcome to join me, though,” he adds with a wink and I can’t help the shudder racing through me. It makes him chuckle. “No meeting the family before the first date, got it.”

“Good.” I wind my arms around his neck and kiss him. I love that we’re about the same height, but that he’s so wide and sturdy he’d be able to catch me should I fall.