Chapter 68

"Can I take you out to dinner then? I think maybe we should slow things down, spend some time together doing the so-called normal things." He clenched the table in both hands as he waited for her answer, and she'd bet he didn't even know he was doing it. The fact that she had the power to make him nervous made her want to forgive him all the more.
"I know a great barbecue place not too far away," she offered. "We wouldn't have to dress up or anything. Just throw on some flip-flops and go."
"You're asking a Texan to go to a barbecue place in South Carolina?" The teasing glint was back in his eyes and her heart lifted.
"Boy, you haven't tasted real barbecue until you've had Charleston barbecue." She stood and shook out her mostly dry hair. "Come on. Tonight you can drive and I'll buy dinner." She hoped he recognized an olive branch when he saw one. And a test. Could he stand to let her buy dinner?
"Yes ma'am." He drained his glass and stood. "Anything you want."
Well, at least he's capable of learning. That was promising. She led him back into the house with a hopeful smile on her face. They decided to go see a movie after dinner, and now it was dark, a sky full of stars gleaming down on them. Since he hadn't quibbled when she paid for their meal, Summer had graciously let him buy the movie tickets, though she'd sprung for the popcorn and soda. She hadn't complained either when he'd held her hand through the entire film. They bickered good naturedly on the way back to Matt's truck later that night.
"I didn't say it wasn't good. I said it wasn't barbecue," Matt grumbled. "Let me take you to Texas sometime - you'll taste the real deal."
Her heartbeat thumped. Did he still think they had a chance at a relationship that would go past great sex and into her meeting his family?
"I've been to Dallas, buddy. I travel fairly often to keep in touch with our sales outlets. Trust me, your so-called barbecue sauce doesn't hold a candle to Marty's special blend."
"Well, I suppose differences in spice preferences is something we can get past if we try." He held her door for her, holding out his hand to help boost her into the high cab of the pickup. Once he was in the other side and belting himself in, he asked, "Do you think maybe we can get past the other stuff too?"
Summer didn't even pretend to think he was talking about little things like mayonnaise on sandwiches. Even condo versus house paled against the big question. Were they ultimately compatible enough to be together? Did the emotional bond they'd formed in their dreams extend to real life?
She didn't have an answer.
As they drove back to the beach house in silence, she thought about how hard he'd been trying tonight. That had certainly earned him points. And to be honest with herself, she really, really didn't want to sleep alone tonight. Summer didn't believe in cutting off her nose to spite her face.
She had a chance in the next few days to get to know the man of her dreams and find out if he could be the man of her reality.
She wasn't stupid enough to waste it.
When they got to the house, he said, "I'll need to go inside and grab my suitcase."
Summer laid her hand on his. "No. You just need to come inside."
She heard him swallow hard in the darkened cab of the truck. The scent of barbecue and popcorn tinted the air.
"You sure?" She loved that his voice wasn't perfectly steady, but his fingers curled around hers as if by instinct.
"We had a fight, Matt. People do. Now let's go make up."
"Whatever you say, sugar."
She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her throat. "Now you're getting the idea here."
Matt chuckled too. "I was serious about courting you. This isn't playing around for me, Summer. I've been in love with you my whole life. I know I can be a bossy, grab-the-bull-by-the-horns kind of guy, but I don't want to screw this up before we even get started."
He loved her? Her heart pounded and her breathing sped up to the point where she had to consciously slow it down.
Matt took his other hand and rubbed her shoulder, soothing her before she hyperventilated. "I'm sorry I blurted it out like that. I don't expect you to be able to say the same, not so soon, but do you think there's a chance you could come to love me?"
Summer choked on a rough giggle, her breathing still ragged. "Oh hell, I have no idea."
"I understand." His voice was husky, sad.
"Wait." She put her hand up against his cheek and got her breathing under control. "In a way, I've loved you my whole life too. Seriously. It's just taking some time to reconcile my imaginary lover with the very real one sitting here next to me. I want to fall into your arms, Matt, and damn the consequences, but that's not who I am. Just give me some time to wrap my head around it. I need to know for sure that the feelings between us are real and not merely something dreamed up by an over-imaginative teenager."
"I understand. I'll go get another motel room, if you want."
She shook her head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I want to spend time with you - in bed and out of it." She was glad he couldn't see her blush. "How about we just take the next couple days as they come?"
"That's about the best offer I've ever heard." He leaned across and gave her a quick, hard kiss. "Thank you, for giving me a chance."
Summer undid her seat belt and scrabbled out of the truck. "Race you to the bedroom," she called as she started toward the house. Of course she had the keys, so she was the first one in the door, with Matt just inches behind her. "Don't forget the box of condoms."