"Let me just go change. Uh come in and have a seat. I'll be quick, promise."
"Not a problem," he said, moving into her entryway and removing his shoes.
"Just go, find a place to sit. I will run and do this."
She turned tail and ran to her bedroom. Her heart was racing as she rebuttoned her shirt. It had nothing with the double time movement she was making. It was all his presence. She could swear he was taller than he had been. He was more handsome. His face was creased at the corners, his eyes, his mouth. All smile lines. It made him sexy as hell. He had to have a toned body as well. He was a professional hockey player, he was paid to keep his body in shape.
That little memory of his chest, his abs, strong thighs, crept into her mind. It was time to get this supper over with, before she decided twice about her no sex on the first date policy. No he couldn't stay over, June was dropping Colton over at 8:30.
She had to make mention of that. Make up first. She applied some lipstick and eyeliner. She ran a brush through her hair, feeling self-conscious about her body all over again. Well, make the best of it, she decided, exiting the bedroom.
Kip was in the living room. He wasn't sitting passively. He was looking at her pictures and knickknacks. Colton was nearly everywhere. With the exsection of Sophia's kids adorning a multi-picture frame. "This is the same Sophia from college?" he said, pointing at her.
"Yeah, that's Soph. She's got a few kids now. They still live in Saskatoon."
He nodded. Then he moved to a picture of Colton. "He looks very grown up."
"He is. Which reminds me, we should get out of here, I have to be home by 8:30."
"Right. I will be gone by then, promise."
Mandy didn't reply. She only nodded. "Thanks for picking me up."
"No problem. I swear. You are right this is a nice city. Calgary is crazy. I love it sometimes, at others. Maybe I should buy a summer home here."
Mandy smiled at him. Somehow she was going to get through this evening without touching him. If she touched him she was going to burst into flames, or burst out with an inappropriate comment. He was going to tell her he didn't want to be anything more than just friends, but thanks for having him for supper.
Having him for supper sparked her imagination in a whole new direction. Mandy cursed herself mentally, glad they were walking to the truck, in the dark. Thank god for early winter darkness. Most of the time that was the worst part of winter.