by Elle James
Ava eased out of the car, trying not to show too much leg or part of her bottom. “Thanks, I feel like you’re throwing me into the deep end, and I don’t know how to swim.”
Leslie smiled. “You’ll figure it out.”
Ava watched as Leslie drove away, leaving her standing there all by herself in front of a restaurant where she was to meet a complete stranger and have dinner with someone she didn’t know.
No stress. Nope. None.
Ava slowly walked toward the door and almost tripped over her own feet in the high heels Leslie had loaned her. She straightened and reach toward the door, pushing it inward.
She recognized the restaurant from the advertisements on television. It was an expensive steak restaurant. A place she’d never been because she couldn’t afford it on her limited budget. She hoped like hell her date could afford it and didn’t leave her washing dishes. She stepped up to the maître d’.
He nodded slightly and looked down his nose at her. “Do you have a reservation?”
Ava wanted to turn and run, but she didn’t have her car and had no way to get her back to her house. Panic started to set in, until she reminded herself she had a cellphone. All she had to do was call a cab to come pick her up, which would take several long minutes.
She considered doing just that, but then she straightened her spine and smiled at the maître d’. “I don’t have a reservation, but my date does. I’m to meet him at the bar.”
The maître d’ smiled. “If you will follow me, I will show you to the bar.”
The deeper she went into the restaurant, the more committed she was to this first date with the stranger. Ava studied the people at the bar, looking for the face that she remembered from his profile.
None of the men looked like the man who called himself Sean Decker. Could it be that she was there first and that her date was late? Was he just as hesitant as she was to appear?
Ava thanked the maître d’ and slipped onto a barstool. She wasn’t very familiar with mixed drinks or different kinds of wines, so she ordered a drink she’d heard mentioned in movies. “I’ll have a strawberry daiquiri,” she said to the bartender.
The bartender mixed the drink and set it in front of her.
Thankfully, she couldn’t taste the alcohol, and it was quite refreshing. Within moments, the alcohol helped calm her nerves.
One minute passed, then two, then three. After five minutes, she quit watching the door. What had Leslie said, fifteen minutes was the rule? Just ten minutes more, and she could leave.
* * *
“I told you we’d be late if we stopped to pick up that kitten,” Tag said.
Sean shook his head. “You wouldn’t have left that kitten out in the middle of the road like that any more than I would.”
Tag shrugged. “You’re right. But it made us late.”
“If she’s my perfect match, like you say she is,” Sean said, “she’ll understand. In fact, she’ll love kittens and wish I’d brought it to her.”
Tag nodded. “Again, you’re right.”
“Only thing is,” Sean’s lips twisted, “what woman would believe that I stopped to pick up a kitten?”
Tag laughed. “That does sound like a pretty weak excuse. A made-up one at that.”
“Do you see her yet?” Sean stared around the restaurant. Waiting in line for the maître d’, he took that moment to locate the face he’d only seen once online.
Tag tipped his head toward a table where a blonde sat alone. “Think that might be her?”
Sean shook his head. “Can’t tell. Her back is to us.”
The woman turned to look toward the door. She had to be at least in her fifties.
Sean frowned. “She’s nice enough looking, but I don’t think that woman is twenty-seven years old.”
Tag tilted his head toward another blonde wearing a really short leopard-print skirt and a fuzzy pink tube top. She chewed gum smacking it loudly.
Sean shook his head. “I don’t think so. If that’s her, I’m turning around and leaving…no…running out of this restaurant.”
Sean scanned the spacious room, searching for a bright blond head. When he didn’t see anyone who fit the description or the picture that he’d seen on the internet, he turned to Tag. “I’m already ten minutes late. She probably gave up and thought I stood her up. You want to join me for dinner here, or would you rather go somewhere and get a burger and a beer?”
Tag stiffened and reached out to grip Sean’s arm. “Whoa, cowboy, hold your horses. Do you see what I see?”
“Where?”
“Behind the tall man at the bar,” Tag said. “Wait for it.”
Sean turn the direction Tag indicated.
A tall man stood at the bar. When the bartender handed him his drink, he slipped into a barstool and rested his elbows on the counter. When he moved, Sean could see the woman seated behind him. The man who’d just taken his seat, spoke to her.
The woman gave him a brief smile and turned away. She obviously was not with the man.
“Wow, buddy. Are you seeing her?” Tag asked.
Sean’s pulse quickened. Bright blond curls framed a beautiful face.
Her hair was perfect, her face was perfect, and she was dressed to the nines. She was beautiful, all right. And she had high maintenance written all over her.
Sean spun and headed for the exit.
Tag caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “Where you going?”
“She’s not my type.” Sean continued toward the exit.
Tag held onto his arm pulling him to a stop. “You don’t know that until you meet her.”
Sean turned back toward the blonde seated at the bar, toying with a frozen red drink.
“Look at her,” Tag insisted.
“I did,” Sean said. “She looks too high maintenance for me.”
Tag waved his hand around the restaurant. “You chose the location. It’s a high-end restaurant. Look at the people around you; they’re dressed very nicely. At least she had the decency to wear appropriate clothing.”
Sean glanced around at the other patrons of the establishment.
The women were dressed in very nice outfits, and the men wore suits and ties. Tag was right. His date was dressed appropriately for the location.
A wave of guilt washed over him. He’d almost made it out the door without meeting the woman. He would have been a huge cad if he had walked out and stood her up when she expected him to be there.
“I guess the least I can do is go introduce myself,” Sean said.
Tag clapped his hand on his shoulder. “Now, you’re talking.”
Sean frowned at Tag. “You’re not sticking around, are you?”
Tag shook his head. “Much as I’d like to stay and watch history in the making, I promised Leslie I’d go watch some romantic comedies with her.”
Sean laughed. “Don’t tell me you like romantic comedies.”
Tag shook his head. “Not really. But I like it when Leslie laughs. That woman has a laugh.”
Sean stared at his friend. “So, what’s with you and Leslie anyway?”
Tag shook his head. “Nothing”
Sean thought there was more to nothing than Tag was letting on, but he had a date with the blonde sitting at the bar, and he didn’t want to keep her waiting any longer. “Well, enjoy your romantic comedies with Leslie. I need to keep my date with the gorgeous blonde at the bar.”
Tag grabbed his arm as he started toward the bar. “You did bring some condoms, didn’t you?”
Sean stared at his friend. “This is a first date. What fool would think he’d have sex with his date on the first night out?”
Tag raise an eyebrow. “What fool would come unprepared if the opportunity came up?” He shrugged “Just saying.”
Sean shook his head. “You can leave now.”
“I’m out of here,” Tag said as he turned and left.
Sean hesitated a moment longer. He did have a condom tucked into his wallet.
Not that he expected an opportunity to arise in which he’d need it.
The woman at the bar opened her clutch, pulled out a cellphone, glanced at it and then stuck it back into her clutch and slid off the barstool.
Damn! He was late.
And she was leaving.
Sean crossed the floor in a few easy strides and stopped in front of the blonde as she tucked her clutch beneath her arm.
“Hi, you wouldn’t happen to be Ava Swan, would you?” Sean asked.
The blonde glanced up at him, her eyes narrowing. “Who’s asking?”
“I’m Sean O’Lear—Decker.” Sean caught himself before he said his real name. “I’m your date.”
She nodded. “I’m Ava. You’re late. I was just leaving.”
He smiled his most charming smile. The one that worked with every woman he’d ever known.
Apparently, it wasn’t working with her.
“Please accept my apologies. I had to stop to rescue a kitten in the road.” He knew the excuse sounded as made up as any. But damned if it wasn’t the truth.
Her eyes narrowed even more. “Do you use that line with all your dates?”
Sean shook his head. “No, you’re the first.”
She wrinkled her brow. It was so cute when she did it, he wanted to lean over and kiss that eyebrow. The thought shocked him. He’d just met the woman, and already he was thinking about kissing her. Maybe Tag had it right when he’d asked him if he’d brought a condom along.
Ava’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “I’ll give you points for the emotional impact of your story, but I’m not buying it.”
“No, really, we had traffic backed up for over a mile on a six-lane road. All to save one tiny kitten who’d found its way out into the middle of a busy highway.”
Ava shook her head. “I’m not inclined to believe you. But for the sake of my rumbling stomach, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, this time. I might forgive your tardiness, but I’m not sure the maître d’ will have held your table.” She tipped her head toward the man guarding the entrance. Sean grinned. “I’ll make it happen.” He stared down at her. “So, you’re staying?”
She smiled. “I came for the steak. It would be a shame to leave without it.”
He chuckled. “I see where I rank.”
She nodded. “Uh huh. Right after steak and wine. Only it might be wine, then steak, then you.”
Sean held out his elbow. “I’ll take it. At least I rank above dessert.”
Ava tilted her head to the side and touched a finger to her chin. “Well, now that you mentioned it, it’s steak then wine, then dessert, then you.” She grinned and slipped her arm into the crook of his elbow.
He touched his free hand to his chest. “You hurt me, lady.”
She snorted softly. “I’m sure you have thicker skin than that.”
“You’re right. It’ll take a lot more than that to make me cry.”
Sean escorted Ava to the table the maître d’ indicated, all the while praying the pretty blonde wasn’t an airhead, and that she could string words together in a sentence that didn’t actually bore him to tears. So far, she had his attention. Hopefully, it would last.
* * *
As Sean held the chair for her, Ava eased into the seat. She tugged at the hem of her dress, careful not to expose more than was already displayed of the long expanse of her bare legs. Once settled, she smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
Sean took the seat across from her, unfolded his napkin and laid it across his lap.
The waiter appeared and handed them menus.
Ava stared at her menu, frowning.
“Is something wrong, madam?” the waiter asked.
“This menu doesn’t list the prices,” Ava noted and looked up.
“Mine does,” Sean said.
“I don’t understand.” Ava turned over her menu, searching the back for the missing prices.
“I’m buying dinner. You don’t need to worry about the prices,” Sean said.
Ava’s lips pressed into a line, but she didn’t want to argue in front of the waiter.
“Madam, may I get you another strawberry daiquiri?” the waiter asked.
Ava grimaced. “No, thank you. What I would really like is a light beer.”
“And you, sir?” The waiter waited for Sean’s response.
“I’ll have the same,” he said.
After the waiter left with their drink order, Sean studied Ava. “Did you order a beer because you thought I would like one? Or because you actually like beer?”
Ava shuddered. “The strawberry daiquiri was okay at first, but after a while it was too sweet.”
“Research has shown that our taste buds change approximately every seven years.”
Ava nodded. “That would explain it. I don’t eat a lot of sweets. It sets a bad example for M—others,” she ended abruptly, having almost slipped up and mentioned her daughter.
“I haven’t known too many women who appreciate a good beer,” Sean said.
“I don’t drink very often. But I remember enjoying an icy cold beer on a hot day when I was younger.”
Sean smiled. “I find that refreshing, in a woman.”
Her heart fluttered at his smile.
The waiter brought their beers and set them on the table.
Ava lifted her glass. “To getting to know each other.”
“Right. To getting to know each other,” he repeated and touched the rim of his glass to hers.
Then he waited while she took a long swallow from her glass.
The beer was better than the daiquiri, sliding down her throat, cool and refreshing, adding to the alcohol she’d already consumed in the mixed drink.
“Score one for the blonde,” Sean muttered so low, Ava wasn’t sure she’d heard him right.
He grinned and downed a long swallow of his own beer.
Ava set her glass on the table. “So, what made you think you needed an online dating system to get a date? I’m sure you don’t have difficulty finding someone to go out with you.”
Sean cocked an eyebrow. “I could ask the same thing.”
Ava nodded. “For me, it was simple. It’s been a long time since I had a date.”
“That’s hard to believe. You’re a beautiful woman,” Sean said.
“Thank you. But it’s true. It’s been a long time. I wasn’t sure where to begin. Leslie’s BODS system seemed like less of a shot in the dark. It gave me a chance to match my preferences before I actually agreed to a date.”
Sean’s lips quirked upward on the corners. “Sounds reasonable, maybe even logical.”
Ava shrugged. “What about you? Did someone twist your arm.”
Sean chuckled. “Actually, yes.”
Ava’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “And now, you’re stuck with me.”
Sean shook his head. “I wouldn’t exactly call it stuck.”
“You don’t have to stay.” Ava gave him a tight smile. “I’m sure you’d rather be anywhere other than sitting across a table from a woman you met online.”
Her date frowned. Had the woman read his mind earlier? “I didn’t say that.”
Ava’s smile broadened. “You didn’t have to. To be honest, I felt the same way.”
“Really?”
“As I’m sure you noticed in my profile, I’ve been married before,” Ava said. “I have no intention of marrying again, at least, not anytime soon.”
“Bad experience?
Chapter 3
“No. Exactly the opposite. I had a good marriage.” She glanced down at her hands. Her finger where her ring had been still bore a white ring around it where her wedding ring had been until just before Leslie had arrived that evening.
“What happened?” Sean asked, his voice quieter than before.
“He died,” she said, her tone flat, her lips pressing tightly together. “I have no desire to remarry.”
“That’s refreshing.” Sean sighed. “Most women I date want only one t
hing. To put a ring on their finger. They want to get married.”
Ava held up both hands. “Not me. In fact…in fact, I didn’t even want to date.”
“Then why are you here now?” he asked, his gaze curious.
Ava rolled her eyes. “A friend of mine said I needed to get out. That I was getting frumpy.”
Sean gaze slipped over her from head to toe, lingering on her bare legs. “Sweetheart, you’re anything but frumpy. I’d go so far as to say you’re pretty damned hot.”
Ava’s cheeks heated. “Thank you. I’d like to take credit for that, but my friend loaned me the dress.”
Sean smiled. “Your friend has good taste. You look amazing in that dress.”
Her cheeks heated even more. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel less awkward in a borrowed dress?”
He held up a hand like he was swearing on a bible in court. “I do so solemnly swear, you look amazing.”
Ava held out her hand. “Now, if you’ll let me at your menu, I’ll get an idea of how far back I’ll set your wallet.”
Sean held the menu out of her reach. “I can afford anything you want on the menu. You don’t have to worry that it will break me.”
Ava’s lips twisted. “It has been a long time since I’ve been on a date. I’m so used to paying my own way. The thought of someone else buying my dinner doesn’t seem right. And I imagine most women are looking to get married.” Ava shrugged. “Rest assured, I’m not most women.”
Sean was beginning to believe that. He sat back in his chair and seemed to visibly relax. “I like a woman who is pretty straightforward and doesn’t mince words.”
Ava nodded. “And I like the same in a man,” Ava said. “As long as he’s not rude when he’s giving it to me straight.”
Sean tipped his head. “Fair enough.” He opened the menu. “Your profile stated you like steak.”
“I do like a good steak,” Ava said. “I don’t have much opportunity to eat steak, but I like it.”
“Again, it’s refreshing to go out with a woman who doesn’t want to go to a tofu bar.”
Ava grimaced. “I wouldn’t even know how to eat tofu.” She sighed. “I really would feel better if I could see the menu with the prices.”