“Hopefully, there isn’t a horrible thing to worry about, but I get what you’re saying.”

“Did you already eat?”

“Yeah, I tossed pizza rolls in the oven and munched on them while I worked.”

“You had pizza rolls for dinner?”

“Mmmhmm.”

“I don’t know whether to be envious or feel bad for you,” he teased.

“You should feel bad. They were sad pizza rolls.”

“What if I said I would make it up to you with dinner tomorrow?” He pulled back so he could look me in the eye. “And I promise that I won’t let anything, not even my family, stand in the way of making that happen.”

“Then, I guess it’s a date.”

Tucker glanced at the clock, and cringed. “I need to get home, and you need to get to sleep.” He leaned in and kissed the top of my head before making his way to the door and turning abruptly. “Unless you want me to stay again.”

“I think yesterday was necessary, today would be frivolous and fly in the face of trying to make a fresh start. We haven’t even been on a date yet.” I winked at him to let him know I was being playful, but I also meant what I said. We had not been on a date, hadn’t been dating at all, or in any form of a real relationship, despite what our marriage certificate claimed. If we were going to make a go of this, I wanted it to feel real and not rushed.

“Tomorrow, for dinner, then.” He was out the door already when he turned back that time. “Wait, I almost forgot again,” he nearly shouted as he pulled his new phone out of his pocket. “I need your number.”

Tucker got my number programmed in his phone, and once again promised to show up for our first date tomorrow, or rather later that evening since it was already after midnight when he left. Before I crawled in bed, I sent a text to Luna, so she wouldn’t worry.

Mina: Headed to bed.

Then I thought better of just leaving it at that.

Mina: Tucker showed up. He wasn’t the one who sent the courier. Will explain tomorrow when you get up.

Luna: Can’t wait to hear all about it. Sleep tight.

Chapter 15

Luna had to leave earlier in order to help set up for a special event happening at the club where she worked. That left me to get ready for my first date with my husband all by my lonesome. I would have called my sister, but she was enjoying time with her new husband, and considering all they had been through recently, I didn’t want to intrude.

Truth be told, the man had already married me, so I guess it didn’t matter if I went all out or showed up in sweats with rollers in my hair. Well, on second thought, that wasn’t a good look. Even I wouldn’t go that far, unless he pissed me off again, in which case all bets would be off. I giggled at my own silly thoughts as I zipped up the Navy-blue dress I’d picked out for the night. Thankfully, the zip went up the side of the dress and was easy to handle without help.