A Valentine for Kayla Read Online Free PDF Page B

to family, not take himself too seriously and be easy to look at. Blue eyes—she’d always had a thing for blue eyes. And he had to be able to say “I’m sorry.” Her dad had been incapable of uttering those words.
    The other things on her list weren’t deal breakers, but she’d love it if he could play guitar and sing and be willing to take her on a honeymoon in Venice. She’d always dreamed of being serenaded on a gondola by her husband. She sighed and returned her focus to the task at hand—finding the perfect outfit for her date.
    She dressed in a pair of designer jeans she’d splurged on and a white T-shirt, then added a red blazer.
    Not completely sure about the outfit, she held up a dark gray midi skirt that hit just above her ankles. She was going for flirty, but with the blazer it came off looking more like business wear. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. She needed to make a decision. She tossed the skirt on her queen-size bed and held up a tailored white blouse. “Ugh. Now I look like waitstaff.”
    Why was it so hard to figure out what to wear? Good thing she didn’t date often or her room would look as if a cyclone had blown through. She tossed the blouse on the bed, then put a floral infinity scarf over her head and arranged it around her neck. “Perfect.”
    The doorbell pealed. “Be right there!” She grabbed her boots on the run and zipped them up over her jeans before pulling the door open.
    Derek grinned. “You look great.”
    Before she could stop herself, she gave him a once-over from head to toe. He’d chosen jeans, too. Whew. And a black button-up shirt that fit just right. “So do you.”
    â€œThanks. You ready?”
    â€œYep.” She grabbed her purse on the way out the door and locked up. “I’m starved.” She glanced into his smiling face. “I probably shouldn’t have admitted that.”
    â€œNot at all. I happen to be ravenous myself.” He pulled open the passenger door to his 4x4 and helped her step up.
    A new-car smell engulfed her, and she settled into the seat. For a delivery guy, he must make good money to afford a rig like this. Not that money mattered—she was simply surprised.
    Derek gently shut the door and hopped in on his side a moment later.
    Her heart pitter-pattered. Now that she was here, she didn’t know what to say or how to act. It had been a very long time since she’d gone on a date. And this wasn’t just any date—he could be the one .
    He backed out of her driveway and pointed the truck toward downtown. “I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I asked my mom about a good place to have dinner. She recommended Jim’s Steak House on Third Street.”
    â€œI’ve never been, but I’ve heard it’s great. How’s your mom doing?”
    â€œImproving every day. Her speech is still slow, but the words are clearer than they were right after her stroke. The speech therapist is impressed.” His chin lifted slightly.
    â€œThat’s wonderful.” She studied his profile as he focused on the road. The resemblance between Derek and the singer DJ was uncanny. She’d downloaded a bunch of his songs and had been listening to them all day. The man sang with such conviction; she was addicted. “Do you sing?”
    He whipped his head toward her, then back toward the road. “Where did that come from?”
    â€œJust curious.”
    He pulled into a parking lot. “I can sing. Why do you ask?”
    Should she tell him about her list? Definitely not. “Guess I’m nosy.” She hopped out of the truck before he could open her door.
    â€œWhat about you? Do you sing?” He asked as they walked side by side into the steak house.
    â€œI can carry a tune.” He didn’t need to know she’d placed in every singing competition she’d ever entered—it was embarrassing