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looked over at Casper. He looked sick, green even. I couldn’t back out, not now. Casper and Blaine had worked way too hard to get and keep this account.
    “So, I’m ready to sign,” I said with a smile.
    “Are you sure about this, Slater?” Casper asked quietly.
    “Yes, I’m sure.”
    “Wonderful! Juan-Carlos will be here over the weekend and you two can get acquainted.” Pritchard clapped his hands together.
    I scribbled my name on the dotted line and exhaled, sliding the paper back over to Pritchard. Warmth encased my hand and I realized Casper was holding it under the table. He gave it a soft squeeze.
    “Well, how about dinner tonight?” Pritchard proposed.
    I opened my mouth, only to hear Casper’s voice instead.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry but Slater and I made plans for this evening.”
    “Is that right?” Pritchard’s eyes gleamed as he leaned back in his chair.
    “Yes, but thank you,” I agreed, nudging Casper in the side.
    “Well then! You two enjoy the rest of the day. I’ll see you on Saturday, Slater.”
    “That you will.” I stood and offered Pritchard my hand. He shook it firmly and winked at us as he left the room. I sat back down and blew out a breath.
    “Are you okay?” Casper asked.
    “Yes. Just glad that’s over.” I stood up and looked down at Casper. “We don’t have to go out to dinner. I wasn’t going to go through with the blackmail, Casper. I want you to go out with me because you want to.”
    “Well, I need to shower again and you can pick me up at six.”
    “Seriously?” I raised a brow.
    “Yep, I’m sure you know where I live,” he snorted.
    “I do. How did you like the song?”
    Casper buttoned his jacket and smiled at me.
    “I don’t think you’d let me forget you, Slater.”
    Damn straight.
    * * * *
    I paced in front of my parents. I was pretty sure I’d carved out a path in the carpet by now.
    Why was I so nervous?
    Because it was Casper. Cute, adorable, smart, sexy Casper.
    The man had finally said yes to me. Now, in the past, I’d pursued men and women, but if I got ‘no’ more than once I gave up the chase. I’d gotten ‘no’ more than four times with Casper, and yet I’d still pursued him. My mother coughed lightly and I stopped pacing.
    “Where do I take him? Somewhere fancy? Not fancy? Dressy or not? What do I say? What do I do?”
    “Whoa there, son.” My father stood up and took me by my shoulders. “You’ve got to calm down before you give yourself a stroke.”
    “Honey, this is not your first date,” my mother pointed out.
    “But it’s my first date with Casper. If I don’t play this just right, it could be my last,” I huffed and slumped down into the couch.
    “Honey, why don’t you take him somewhere nice but not dressy? You can sit in a back booth and get to know each other better.”
    “I can do that, I think.” I nodded slowly.
    “Oh, honey. You really do like Casper, don’t you?” My mother smiled.
    “Okay, on that note, I’m going to go before you cry.” I stood up and kissed my mom’s cheek.
    “Take the car, son,” my father called after me.
    I grabbed the keys and hoped I didn’t crash before I even got over the bridge.
    Here I go.
    I took the stairs to Casper’s unit. After driving around for five minutes looking for a parking space, I ended up two blocks down. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Footsteps sounded and then the door was opened. Casper stood there looking…oh wow.
    “Hi,” I blurted.
    “You look nice.” Casper smiled.
    “You look, wow, I mean…yeah.”
    “Thank you. Are you ready?”
    I nodded.
    “Are you okay?” Casper asked.
    I nodded again. I got a raised brow from Casper and then a genuine grin. God he was so damn hot when he grinned. He was wearing form-fitting slacks and a short-sleeved button-up shirt. The first two buttons were undone showing a smooth chest. I almost choked on my own spit. I put my hand out and Casper took it. Electricity shot up my arm and a