All Geek to Me

by Allie York

  “Say something, this is terrible,” I finally blurt out and simultaneously trip when the toe of my boot gets caught on a raised chunk of asphalt. I go flying forward so fast that Wyatt can’t keep me upright with my hand in his. I stumble, flailing to get my feet under me and end up pulling him with me. At least I manage to roll to the side, so we land in the grass. I hit the ground with a thud, all the wind getting forced from my lungs, and Wyatt lands directly on top of me. The tiny amount of oxygen left in my burning lungs comes wheezing out when his weight lands on me. Wyatt scrambles off of me, or at least he tries. His arm gets caught in the coat I’m wearing, leaving him stuck awkwardly half on top of my body with a look of wild panic in his eyes. My lungs get the message and I can finally breathe.

  “Sweet Jesus, Noralee, you need bubble wrap and a constant chaperone!” Wyatt struggles to untangle his arm from me, and I try to help, but the Velcro on his sleeve is caught on the lining of the coat I have on. His arm is twisted in the fabric and both of us trying is not helping. After at least a minute of us fighting with coats and laughing, we free ourselves from each other and he flops onto his back next to me, laughing.

  “I swear I am not usually this clumsy.” I think of the blister on my finger from making cookies and the bruise on my hip from running into the counter at least once a day. Don’t get me started on the bruise on his face. “Okay, that’s a lie.” I join his laughing and we lie in the damp grass, our breaths leaving a cloud hovering over our faces while we laugh. We stay that way, lying in the grass just off the path until my stomach hurts from laughing and he’s wiping his face.

  “How have you survived so long? Cruze didn’t fall this much when he was learning to walk.” Wyatt pushes up so he’s reclined in the grass, weight on his elbows, legs kicked out in front of him.

  “That’s a valid question. I’ve had a few close calls.” I stay still, hands resting on my stomach and ankles crossed, trying to keep all the dignity I can.

  “I can imagine.” He starts to stand when the blue lights descend on the park, sirens blaring. I sit up, and he stays seated next to me, obviously on alert. The parking lot between the park and the coffee shop is only a car’s length from us, so we have a front row seat. I watch out of curiosity; he watches in cop mode. I can tell the difference immediately. Wyatt is suddenly Officer Collins, all business and ready to react. The sirens go silent and officers come out of the two cars, flashlights drawn and aimed right at us. A knot settles in my stomach and Wyatt jumps to his feet, so I’m almost face to face with his amazing ass. It distracts me from the cops coming our way until they’re right in front of us.

  “We had a report of an attack. Have you two…” The first cop shines his light into my face and I cover my eyes. “Holy shit. Collins?”

  8

  Noralee

  By the time Wyatt explains to the two cops that we fell, and I wasn’t being attacked, I manage to get the leaves out of my hair and warm up from being on the cold ground. The cops had both of us stand and separately tell them what happened.

  No, he didn’t attack me. Yes, we simply fell. No, I have no idea how it happened. Yes, I really am that clumsy.

  They finally believed both of us and decided to give my date all kinds of shit. At least they checked on me before heckling Wyatt. Overall, I’d give the date a two out of five and it’s mostly my fault for being a complete klutz.

  “Ma’am, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, but maybe next time pick a date with a better guy.” The first officer nudges Wyatt with his elbow and Wyatt chuckles mirthlessly. I honestly feel bad for him. Between picking the most accident-prone woman in the world to take out and being mistaken for a mugger, it’s been a rough night. Not to mention the money he spent to stay in the same seat at speed dating. Oh, and I hit him in the face with a door when we met. So, maybe he did know what he was getting into.

  The Legend of Zelda theme comes from my dress pocket as the two officers leave to go find actual criminals. “I should probably get you home.” I check my phone and deny the call. I know Rae, Tuesday, and Greer are at my apartment anyway, so I don’t need to talk to them.

  “I think they’re probably waiting on me to get home so they can make fun of how I ruined our night.” I absentmindedly reach up to brush a leaf from his hair.

  “Ruined it? For who?” Wyatt catches my hand when I try to drop it back into his coat pocket.

  “You? Me? Those two cops who have actual calls to check out? The barista at the coffee shop?” I let him slip his fingers between mine and we head back toward the parking lot.

  “My night wasn’t ruined. Are you that disappointed in how the night turned out?” He stops to wait for my answer, giving me the most earnest look I’ve ever seen.

  “I’m not disappointed but you should be.” I roll my eyes. The poor guy should ask me for a date refund.

  “Why? I got to talk to you about things other than the break-in, I got to walk with you for a little while before the cops showed up, and I had a damn good coffee.” He waits for my rebuttal.

  With my free hand I hold up a finger. “You paid forty-five dollars to get me to yourself, plus whatever you paid that first guy to switch seats. This is admittedly sexy, but also expensive.” Another finger. “I fell before I got in the car,” a third finger, “I dropped a fresh coffee on the floor and nearly took you down with me.” Before I can add the tumble we took together or his coworkers getting involved, he grabs my three fingers and pulls me against him.

  “I’m going to kiss you and you’re going to stop talking about all the bad things.” He barely finishes the sentence before his mouth is on mine. My eyes flutter closed. My free hand finds the back of his neck and I pull him closer. It’s not a deep kiss, but my body molds to his instantly, moving all on its own. Wyatt keeps my hands in his, his body against mine, and our lips locked. I inch closer, going up on my toes when he threatens to back away from me. I let my lips linger a moment longer before coming down off my toes and looking up into his light blue eyes.

  “So, does that make up for the bad date?” With our bodies still pressed together, it’s hard to think.

  “I never said it was a bad date. I said I ruined the date,” I clarify. “But that almost made me forget how badly I messed it up.” He starts walking toward the truck, but my body is not ready to walk yet. My head is still spinning from that kiss.

  “I’ll have to try harder next time.” Wyatt tugs me along, looking back with a wink. I follow willingly, my hand firmly in his and my heart thundering in my chest. “If you’ll give me a do-over kiss, I’ll give you a do-over date,” he suggests as he opens the passenger door and waits for me to get in. I want to think he’s checking out my amazing ass, but he’s most likely making sure I don’t go flying backwards and die on the pavement. The truck is already running and warm inside. I hadn’t realized how cold I was until I start to warm up. Once I’m safely seated, he runs around to the driver’s door and gets in. “Well, can I have a do-over kiss?” He leans in a little and I warm my hands in front of the vents.

  I will give him all the do-over kisses he can handle, but he doesn’t need to know that. “I may consider your offer.” I look up at his sexy grin.

  “How can I sweeten the deal?” Wyatt inches closer.

  “Well…” I drawl the word, thinking of a way I can get him to agree to something, but also get another date. Wyatt mimics my movements with his hands in front of the warm air.

  “You’re killing me, Noralee.” He rubs his forehead in exasperation.

  “Invite some of your single friends to speed dating and show up next week.” We want to have a bigger turn out for the next two weeks. The more people who show up, the more money we make, the more people know our comic shop exists. And the more potential couples fall in love, or at least lust, before Valentine’s Day.

  His smile drops and his brows come together. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously,” I answer. He shakes his head with a chuckle.

  “I can invi
te some people. I’ll put a flier up if you want.” He rubs his hands together and puts them on the wheel, throwing the truck in reverse at the same time. He backs out of the parking spot. “But you want me to show up? I thought I made it pretty clear that I’m not interested in dating.” He glances at me before turning toward Words for Nerds.

  “This isn’t a date? Are you sure? I mean, it’s been a pretty long time since I went on a date, but I thought once you crossed into kissing territory the label of ‘date’ was automatic?” I tease, turning in my seat to watch him react.

  “Oh, this is a date. I just don’t want to date anyone else.” Wyatt keeps his eyes on the road, his face serious.

  “I was really hoping you’d say that,” I admit, grinning like an idiot. The drive back to Words for Nerds is short so I try to soak up as much of him as I can.

  “I’m still hoping for a do-over date. All I have to do is invite some people to next week’s speed dating?” He shoots me a quick glance.

  “Yup.” I nod. We approach the parking lot and I can see the lights are all out in my shop. I think I’m off the hook for being drilled about my date, then I realize that next to my black hatchback are the two cars belonging to Tuesday and Rae. I should have known better than to think I’d get to go to bed alone and dream about a second date.

  “Next week? Or do I get to see you sooner?” He turns into the lot and parks in front of my shop next to Rae’s lime green car. Once the truck is safely parked, Wyatt turns to face me, blue eyes shining in the streetlamp overhead.

  “I… I don’t know. I should probably run my event next week, not run off with the sexy cop.” I wince, hoping he doesn’t think I’m trying to blow him off. I do actually want to cash in on that second date.

  “Maybe I’ll come help.” He reaches for my hand and wraps it in his. “Surely you need security or something?”

  “I hope not. And I thought you didn’t want to date or remove the stick from your ass,” I tease.

  “Are you always this difficult or should I get used to you being like this about everything? I thought we’d established that we needed a second date and a second kiss. I also thought we came to an agreement about the fictional stick in my ass. My partner is a pain and wanted to sign me up for a cop dating website.” He looks like he could strangle her, but also kind of loves it.

  I decide to keep pushing my luck, “So you don’t need to get laid? That’s what this is about, right? Her trying to get you laid?” I’m super smug about it for about a second. Then his smirk turns devilish.

  “You’re right, it’s about getting laid.” Wyatt leans toward me, his face so close to mine I can smell the cinnamon and nutmeg from our coffee and feel his breath on my lips. “But that can wait. I like to take my time.” His words are a challenge I’ll willingly accept. His eyes meet mine and we both lean in the extra half inch, so our lips meet. This kiss is not like the one in the park. We’re truly alone and there’s nothing keeping me from kissing him the way I want. His hand slides around my waist, pulling me even closer, and my fingers dig into the base of his neck. His lips move with mine, the perfect amount of pressure, the perfect amount of tongue, and I’m lost to his hands on my hips, his mouth on mine. I want his hands everywhere, on my skin, in my hair. The heady feeling fills me, making me dizzy. I never want it to end, but know it has to.

  “Wow,” Wyatt whispers against my lips, his forehead on mine, eyes closed. “How was the second shot at that kiss?” His shoulders heave under my hands.

  “Second time’s a charm?” I suggest, licking my own bottom lip.

  Wyatt lets out a slow breath. “I should walk you in.” He pulls his face from mine.

  “They’re in there, ready to interrogate me.” I sigh watching him adjust his jeans, trying to be discreet and failing. “Unless you want to kill the high point of the night by talking to my friends about how I needed a date.” My heart rate starts to slow.

  “That doesn’t sound fun,” he admits, shifting in his seat. “I can walk you to the door.” Wyatt offers, looking from my face to where his hand is still resting on my hip. If I didn’t know I had company upstairs, I’d invite him up to find out how his hands would feel on my bare skin. My friends are the worst.

  “You just want to kiss me again.” I smirk. “Don’t you Officer Collins?”

  “Yes, Miss Reynolds, I do.” He leans in to place a slow kiss on my cheek then jerks away to open his door and jump out of the truck. I’m a little bummed that the night is coming to an end, but at least I’m left with the knowledge that in a week we’ll see each other again.

  I hate to get out of the warm truck, but I open the door, ready to slide out into the cold air. Wyatt appears and offers his hand to help me down. I don’t feel like I need it, but I take it anyway because, let’s face it, I’ve fallen enough for one night. The sting of the cold hits me and I burrow into his coat before letting him lead me to the front door of the shop. He doesn’t say anything, only pulls me to him and wraps his arms around me.

  “Thanks for running away with me tonight.” I let him pull me closer, nuzzling into his chest, and—oh my god, that smell. The faint aroma from his coat is nothing like the up-close scents of crisp soap and masculine, woodsy cologne.

  “Thanks for the kidnapping mission. I hate that I made them run speed dating, but I owe them drinks now, so I’ll throw in a few extras to make up for it.” I tip my head to look at him.

  “Why do you owe them drinks?” He arches his bruised eyebrow at me, and I get that little pang of guilt in my stomach. I hit him really hard with that door.

  “When we were making the bet about you showing up tonight, I may have been a little cocky in the assumption that you wouldn’t show. I think I know what I’m doing tomorrow night now.” I shrug, relenting to the fact that while I lost the battle, I feel like I may be winning the war.

  “Well, I hope you ladies have fun with those drinks. Tell them I said you’re welcome.” He dips his head and places a soft kiss on my lips. Before he can back away, I stand on my toes, pressing my mouth harder to his and wrapping my arms around his waist. Wyatt takes my face in his hands, tipping my face to fit with his as his tongue teases the seam of my lips. They part for him and he deepens the kiss. The flutters in my stomach turn into a stampede and my heart kicks into overdrive. He inches closer and I’m glad to know I’m not the only one affected by the kiss. I can feel his heart hammering in time with mine and his erection pressed into my lower stomach. I twist my fingers in the back of his shirt to pull him impossibly closer and he slows the kiss. I come down from my toes and place one last kiss on his full lower lip.

  “I guess I should let you get home,” I whisper.

  “I’d say the same, but you’re here.” He looks up at the shop’s sign. “I… uh… will see you Friday?” Wyatt shakes his head, “I haven’t done this in a long time, bear with me.” He chuckles and rubs his jawline.

  “Friday works for me.” I untangle my fingers from his shirt and take a step back. “I haven’t either, so this should be fun.” He chuckles and shakes his head.

  “Have a good night, Officer Collins.” I reach over and pull on the door, hoping it’s unlocked because my keys are in my purse inside. It swings open.

  “Goodnight Miss Reynolds.” He smirks.

  “Oh! Here.” I start to take his coat off, but he pulls it up on my shoulder.

  “Keep it as collateral.” With that, he leans in to kiss my cheek and turns back to the truck. I stand in the cold, watching that magnificent ass walk away. He catches me, of course, and winks before climbing into the truck and closing the door. I step into the warmth of Words for Nerds, letting the door close behind me. I lock it, push the door to check the lock, then watch him back out of the parking spot. I turn to head upstairs before he’s gone. Watching him leave the parking lot seems excessive.

  I weave through the shop in the dark, knowing the way without my sight, and give Katniss her obligatory salute before turning up the staircase to my apartment.
There are eleven stairs and we taped a picture of Eleven from Stranger Things on the top step. I stare at it for a moment before going to spill all the dirty details to my friends. The more pressing issue is how speed dating went, but I know I won’t get those details until they know everything about my date. I can hear the TV and laughter, so I better get in there before they get into something they shouldn’t. At the top of the steps, I hesitate one last second to relive the night; from my ‘kidnapping’ to falling literally and figuratively in the park. Then there was that kiss—all the kisses—that made the butterflies in my stomach and my head swim. I let out one last swoon before turning the knob and opening the door. Everyone freezes when they see me. I expected to see them in their pajamas, laid out in our normal Tuesday night positions, ready for wine and girl talk. Instead they all look like they’re ready to go clubbing. Well, not normal people clubbing. A nerd is a nerd no matter what setting you drop them in, so they are dressed like they’re going to a comic-con after party.

  “Here’s your purse!” Tuesday dangles my Disney villain clutch from her middle finger.

  “It is, but why are you handing it to me?” I scan her from head to toe. Her dark hair is down and stick straight, she has the perfect amount of cleavage showing under her black coat and I can tell she’s wearing her favorite Batman shirt with the deep V-neck. Her skirt is almost indecent due to how long her legs are and her combat boots go up to her knees.

  “You owe us drinks. I’ll even put the phone away.” Rae has her blond hair up in Leia buns on the sides of her head, giving the appearance of her ever-present headphones without her actually wearing them. She has on her sequined black Converse and ripped, black skinny jeans and a sequined top to match her shoes. The look is completed with her back Slytherin cardigan and snake earrings. Her dark-framed glasses are low on her nose so she can stare me down over the top of her frames.