Read Unexpectedly You for Free Online Page B

holes and clean walking shoes. His blond hair is spiked and gelled, looking like he just stepped out of a salon catalog. Someone prepares for a date the right way. I give him a quick hug, loving the feel of the fabric on his pullover.
    “Hey,” he says, and I step back to let him in.
    “Let me grab my purse. I’ll be right back.” This is also date two protocol. You answer the door, and then make them wait while you retrieve something. That way they can see you wiggle your hips as you walk away, and you get a feel for how they respect your place while you’re not looking.
    I give myself a speed pep talk in my room before heading back out, purse over my shoulder. Nick is looking at the pictures on my wall, and I smile because that’s exactly what I wanted to walk back to.
    “That’s my kitty, Snickers.” I point at the middle picture on my bookshelf. “He’s around here somewhere. You’re not allergic, are you?”
    “Nope.”
    “Good.” Extra good. Nothing could break the mood more than a runny nose and watery eyes when I’m on date three. Then I wonder, maybe date three won’t equal sex anymore. Nate had a point I guess, to let things go naturally. But I think if I satisfy myself before the date, the sex could be even more awkward. Then my mind goes to Nate and his date tonight and what he’s probably doing right now to release the pressure, and I want to smack my head to knock those thoughts right out of there.
    “Should we head out?” he asks, eyes flicking over me, then they dart to the hallway that leads to my room. No, no, no. Fun date on date number two. I prepared for that, so that’s what’s going to happen.
    I put on a playful grin and grab his arm. “You are going to get your ass kicked.”
    He laughs, but I can’t help but notice the slight disappointment that we aren’t staying at my place. Well, play your cards right, buddy, and you’ll see more of my place next time.
    ***
    Sixth frame and tenth gutter ball. I know I talk a big game, but those balls are so heavy! How am I supposed to roll an eight pound giant ball with these scrawny arms? The Wii didn’t give me that problem.
    “I want the bumpers.” I fake pout at Nick, who shakes his head as my pins reset. Why they need to reset when I didn’t hit a single one, I have no idea.
    “I already asked. They said only kids under twelve get them.”
    “Well, that’s just mean.”
    I pull my bright green ball up to my chest and frown at the pins. Maybe I should aim for the gutter. The ball will magically turn and hit something.
    Warm hands hit my hips, and goose bumps shoot up my neck as he talks in my ear. I love date number two.
    “Don’t look at the pins. Look at the arrows on the floor instead.”
    There are arrows on the floor? I flick my gaze to the lane, and would you look at that? He’s right.
    “Okay…?”
    “Just roll it down along that middle arrow.”
    I can do that. “Okay,” I say with more confidence. I set my jaw, and he lets go of my hips. Bending at the waist, I set the ball on the floor, next to the middle dot. I open my legs, and I wiggle my butt a bit because I know he’s watching, then I push that eight pounder as hard as I can down that middle arrow.
    I swear I thought I launched it like a rocket, but it takes twelve and a half seconds to finally reach the very right side of the set of pins. They sort of sway and wiggle, but I manage to tip one enough it knocks over two more.
    “Yay! I got three!” I fist pump the air and turn around, getting my victory moves on. Seriously, that was my fourth point this whole game, but it wasn’t a gutter ball! And I’m pretty sure I looked damn cute doing it because Nick picks me up by my waist and twirls me around as if I got a strike.
    “Those pins didn’t know what was coming,” I say when he puts me down. I point at the pins, motioning back to my eyes. “Better watch out. Brooke is getting her bowl on.”
    It’s Nick’s turn, and I give him a playful smack