Chapter 3

The reflection frowned back at Rose as she turned this way and that. Her room had become a battleground of feminine attire. She had changed her hairstyle at least three times already until she gave up and went with her signature ponytail. A pile of tested and discarded clothes lay at her feet. Makeup was scattered over her vanity. The latest contender was a pair of cuffed overall shorts and a frilled white blouse. It was cute, showed off her curves without trying, and could handle a fistfight if she really needed.

“It’s not a date,” she told herself, even as she carefully picked a pair of earrings. She had to keep repeating the phrase as she dabbed on her perfume (the same perfume Fox had once told her was his favorite) and tugged on white thigh-high stockings (she’d seen where Fox’s eyes had lingered in the past).

“What are you all dressed up for?” Cotton asked as he hopped into her room.

“I’m meeting someone for coffee.”

Cotton’s ears perked up and his nose twitched with interest. “A date?” he asked.

Rose felt her face flush. She shook her head, “no, just a casual meet-up.”

“With whom?”

“A friend,” she said, after a moment. She grabbed her purse off her bed. “Lunch is in the fridge. Don’t throw a party without me.”

The café Fox had suggested was one of Rose’s favorite places in the whole city.

Small and intimate, with delicious drinks, the two of them spent a lot of weekends together there. Hours had been spent talking, laughing with just the two of them. Even if he had spent most of his time buried in his over-sized hoodie, she had always been able to pull a bright smile out of him. The image of him, lit by the afternoon sun, gaze cast far away had colored her memories with a peaceful glow. It was a safe place, somewhere that Rose loved. She wondered if Fox had picked it to make her feel comfortable. She wondered if it was as important to Fox as it was to her.

Any spiraling questions were blown away the moment she spotted Fox. He leaned casually against one of the outdoor tables. Long legs in tight black slacks were crossed at the ankles. The first three buttons of his white shirt were undone, and the sleeves were rolled up to the elbow to show off his forearms. He couldn’t have looked more like a cologne advertisement if he tried.

“Hey,” Fox greeted her, lips curled in a smirk. He had caught her staring.

Rose went red to her hairline. She cleared her throat and stepped up to him.

“Morning,” she replied, pleased that her voice didn’t crack.

Fox’s eyes roamed over her. She could almost feel everywhere they looked. Warm electricity buzzed over her skin.

“You look good,” he offered, finally.

“Th-thanks. You do too.”

Fox’s smirk widened, “thanks.”

With an easy move, he pushed off the table to stand straight. Even without the heeled boots of his fighting uniform, he loomed over her. Had he always been so tall? In his Snapdragon days he had tended to slouch, but now he was straight-backed and confident. She had to do everything in her power to not stare at his exposed sternum.

Rose shook herself. There were more important things to focus on than Fox’s chest! She clutched the strap of her purse in a white-knuckled grip.

“You wanted to talk?” she asked.

“Let’s get a drink first. I did promise you one,” Fox replied.

The other café guests seemed to share Rose’s fixation with Fox. More than one café guest stared as Fox strolled in.

Rose did her best to ignore them. It was easier said than done, especially when the cashier turned an overly friendly smile onto Fox. She glowered at the menu and tried to ignore all the flirty questions they threw Fox’s way.

“What name should I put the order under?” they asked.

“Fox,” he answered.

To Be Continued…