Chapter 17: First Date

BRYANT

My eyes traced over the horizon. The sun lowered in the sky but hadn’t fully set yet. Already the temperature was cooling. It was going to be a nice night. 

I whipped around at the sound of the front door opening. There she was. 

Tallia wore a pleated A-line skirt with a tight but nice t-shirt. On her feet were a pair of adorable little tennis shoes. Her hair hung down around her like a silky cloud and I wanted to touch it, feel it, wrap it around my fist. I was wearing nice jeans and a button up, so we were at the perfect level of nice-casual.

She smiled at me as she stepped up to my side. I couldn't stop myself from taking a deep whiff of her melon and sugar scent. 

"You ready?" I asked. 

She nodded, and I led her to a waiting SUV. I helped her into the passenger seat before I climbed behind the wheel. 

Then we were off. 

We were going to a town about fifteen minutes away and the longer we drove in silence, the more I wished I'd chosen something else.