That certainly poo-pooed my thought to bring her on board at my place. It wouldn’t work. She wanted excitement and change. I didn’t blame her. It could be a little dry.
“Ready?” I asked after we’d both finished eating and were enjoying a glass of wine.
“To go home?”
“Do you want to go home?” I asked and did my best to hide the fact I was just a little bummed at the idea. I thought our date was just getting started.
She shrugged. “Not necessarily.”
“Good, because the second half of our date starts in about twenty-five minutes.”
“Where are we going?” she asked.
I rose from the table and extended my hand to take hers. It felt right to have her hand in mine. I escorted her to my car, making sure I opened the door for her. Then it was off to the old drive-in theater. I paid our entrance fee and drove around until I found the perfect spot.
“A drive-in?” she asked with surprise. “I didn’t even know these were around anymore.”
“This one is only open a few days a month. Sit tight.”
I hopped out of the front seat and opened the trunk. I pulled out the blanket and the bag with the goodies I had picked up for the movie. I got back into the front seat and slid it as far back as it would go. “Here you go,” I said and handed her the bag of goodies.
“What’s the movie?” she asked.
“Something about going into the jungle,” I said. “I wasn’t really paying attention. I just wanted to get you to the theater.”
“Oh, what do you think is going to happen in this car surrounded by other cars, some with kids in them?” she joked.
I winked and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “My windows are tinted.”
“You’re bad.”
“Bust out those Milk Duds,” I told her.
“Isn’t this illegal?” she asked and dug in the bag.
“Illegal?”
“You know, bringing your own snacks into the theater.”
“We’re not in the theater,” I reminded her. “We’re at the drive-in.”
“You know, I’ve never been to the drive-in,” she said. “Have you?”
I nodded. “Yes. Didn’t you guys ever go to that one back home?”
She slowly shook her head. “Nope.”
“We used to go when we were kids. I think they closed when we were in junior high. My parents loved it. Dad would back the truck in and we made a bed in the back. Sometimes Mom and Dad would stay in the front. We always thought it was strange they would take us to the movie and then not watch it. Now I know why they parked in the back row and stayed in the truck.”
She burst into laughter. “Your parents were getting frisky in the front seat,” she teased.
I groaned and cringed. “Gross.”
She patted the console between us. “Too bad there won’t be any hanky panky in this car.”
I jabbed my thumb toward the backseat. “There’s plenty of room.”
“I’m not about to climb into that backseat with you, mister.” She waggled her finger at me. “This is a first date. I have a strict rule.”
“Second base?” I joked.
She slapped at my arm. “Pay attention to the movie, mister.”
I teased her throughout the movie. We held hands most of the time and I managed to steal an occasional kiss. When we got home, I walked her to her bedroom door and gave her a proper goodnight kiss.
“Hey,” she said and grabbed my hand before I could walk away.
Yes, I’m a man, and yes, I think I’m going to get lucky. “Yes?”
“What are you doing Saturday?” she asked.
“Nothing,” I answered.
“It’s my turn to plan the next date.”
“Deal,” I said. “I’ll be here.”
She laughed and opened her bedroom door. “I’ll pick you up.”
27
Lily
I had stars in my eyes. I had a pep in my step and all the other things that went along with those feelings one got when they were in a new relationship. I was calling it a relationship, but technically, it was more of a friendship that was blooming into something more. I wouldn’t call Thomas my boyfriend, but I also wouldn’t say he wasn’t my boyfriend. It was all very confusing.
I was very excited for our date tomorrow. It was going to be a blast. I liked that we could be unconventional and do stuff that we liked and not stuff that felt like we had to do it because that was what people did on first dates.
I found myself humming as I unpacked the box of new books that had been delivered to the store. Gloria had left me a list of tasks she wanted done. I was happy to have something to do. Sometimes, the bookstore could be a little boring. I studied, but even then I got bored.
I heard the bells on the doors and stopped what I was doing to greet the customer. “Gage!” I exclaimed with surprise.
“Hi,” he said and flashed me a thousand-watt smile.
“What are you doing here? Are you here to buy a book?” That seemed unlikely, but one never knew.
“Court got recessed until Monday,” he said. “I thought I’d swing by and see you since I haven’t physically laid eyes on you in weeks.”
“We’ve both been very busy,” I told him. It was a tired excuse, but it was true.
He was wearing a suit with the jacket unbuttoned. His hand rested in his pockets as he looked around the store. “I didn’t know these places still existed,” he said. “It actually smells like books.”
I had to laugh. “I guess that’s better than smelling like coffee.”
“I love the smell of coffee.”
“So, how was court?” I asked him. “Are you still working on that big case?”
He nodded and moved to pick up one of the books someone had left on a table. “Yes. I’m second chair. We’re close to wrapping up. I’m supposed to be getting some time off since we’ve all been putting in eighty-hour weeks the last couple of months.”
“You certainly deserve it,” I told him. “I don’t know how you do it.”
“Money.” He grinned. “It’s a big motivator.”
He sounded like a lawyer. “I imagine it would have to be to deal with criminals.”
He shook a finger at me. “They aren’t criminals unless proven otherwise.”
“Ah, spoken like a criminal defense attorney.”
“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked. “You’ve been blowing me off the last couple of times I asked you out. Don’t tell me you have plans again.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I do have plans.”
He looked me straight in the eyes. “Are you leading me on?”
The way he said it put me on the defensive. It was like he was accusing me. He was treating me like I was sitting in that little witness box and he got free rein to interrogate me. I did not appreciate being made to feel like I owed him something.
“I am doing no such thing,” I snapped. “You came in here. I’m not hunting you down at the courthouse.”
“I’m not stalking you. You told me where you worked and said I should stop by. I stopped by. I guess you were just saying that. I don’t play games, Lily.”
“Good. I don’t either.”
“Why flirt with me if you’re just going to shut me down?” he asked with frustration.
“I think the flirting was mutual,” I said and took a step back. “I never came on to you. We talked and danced.”
“You made it seem like you wanted more.”
“I’m sorry you got that impression,” I said as calmly as possible. “I don’t. In fact, I think it’s best you don’t call me anymore.”
“As if I would,” he scoffed. “It’s not like you’re my only option. Hell, you’re not even my best option. I just thought I would do you a favor.”
“Yeah, thanks, please, don’t do any more favors.”
He shook his head with his lip curled. “Do you actually think you could do better than me? I’m an up an
d coming lawyer. I’m about to burst onto the scene. I’m going to be wealthy. I’m going to be the hottest man in town and you’re passing up the chance to be with me.”
“I guess I’ll just have to figure out how to move on with my life,” I said.
“Whatever,” he said and moved to the door. “You weren’t good enough for me anyway.”
He walked out and left me feeling a little shaken. I had not been expecting that. I hoped he was really gone for good. Some guys just couldn’t handle rejection. As far as being the hottest man in town, he was dead wrong. I was living with the hottest guy in town. Thomas was leaps and bounds better than Gage would ever be. Thomas actually had a personality.
“Dodged a bullet with that one,” I muttered and went back to work.
It was only a few minutes later when the door opened again. I grabbed one of the heavy tomes from the legal shelf. It seemed fitting to knock his ass out with a legal book. I raised the book, ready to bop him over the head if he pulled any bullshit.
“Oh, hi,” I greeted the woman who was looking at me with a hint of fear in her eyes.
“Hello,” she said and took a wide berth around me.
Great. Now I was threatening the few customers we did get.
I woke up Saturday morning anxious for the day. I had to work a few hours but then it was date time. I had a fun day planned. We were doing mini golf, then tacos. I was hoping to go to the park and catch the free concert. It was a country singer that was from Austin. We had the whole day.
I dressed in jeans, my sneakers, and another sweater in pink. Now that I knew he liked me in pink, I wanted to dress for him. I pulled my hair back in a low ponytail before going into the kitchen to get my coffee. Thomas’s bedroom door was open. I could feel his absence and assumed he was down in the gym.
I left him a note and let him know I would be home by two and ready to go. At work, it was difficult to stay focused. I was anxious for the date. I wanted to spend time with him. I loved that we could openly flirt. We didn’t have to pretend there was nothing between us.
When I got home, Thomas was sitting at the bar with his laptop open. I knew he was working. He was anxious to get the dating app up and running. I walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Hi,” I said.
He stretched his arm out and wrapped it around my waist. “Hi,” he said and looked up at me. He puckered his lips, asking for another kiss. I gave him a peck.
“You look nice,” he said.
“Thank you. Are you ready to go?”
“I am,” he said. “I was just doing a little work while I waited.”
“I hate to impose, but I’m hoping you can drive. I know it’s not traditional, but I’m relying on your wheels.”
“My wheels are just fine,” he said. “But you’ll have to tell me where we’re going.”
“Mini golf,” I said proudly.
“Awesome!”
We spent the day playing mini golf and laughing a lot. There was a lot of touching and flirting. By the time we made it to the taco place, we were both feeling the pull of desire. It was difficult not to run back to the apartment and get naked.
“How is the app coming along?” I asked in an attempt to stay in a safe zone.
“We’re close,” he said. “We’re still working out some bugs. We’re expecting it to be big and we want to make sure we can handle the thousands of profiles that will be signing up.”
“I can’t believe you took an idea and made it happen,” I said with amazement. “You really are a smartypants.”
“I had some free time,” he said nonchalantly. “We were looking for something to do and this just kind of fell into my lap.”
“I think it could be a big hit, especially with the dating scene these days,” I said. “How are you supposed to meet people without giving them the wrong idea? One of the guys I met the first couple of weeks I was here went off the deep end.”
He stopped with his taco halfway to his mouth. “What do you mean?”
I quickly told him about Gage. “I think he’s just one of those arrogant guys that thinks women should fall at his feet.”
“Are you afraid of him?” he asked with complete seriousness.
“No. I mean, he made me a little nervous, but I don’t think I have to worry about him,” I said. “I think he just had to save face. He didn’t like being rejected and was just a lot of bluster. He’s not the first guy to get pissed over getting shut down.”
“If he shows up, call me,” he said. “I’m serious.”
It was nice to be cared about. I liked that he was protective. It had been a long time since I felt someone was willing to step in front of me. Tamlyn was very similar. The two of them made me feel like I had a new family.
“I will,” I told him. “I’m sure it’s fine. Like he said, he’s the bees knees and can get anyone he wants. I’m out like dirty dishwater.”
“Good,” he said and took a bite of his taco. “Why’d you shut him down? If he’s the bees knees, why aren’t you interested in pursuing something?”
“Fishing much?” I teased.
“Honest question.”
“I wasn’t interested in him because I am seeing you,” I said. “Aren’t I?”
“You are.”
“Are you seeing anyone else?” I questioned.
He smirked. “You’ve lived with me for two months. Have you seen me go out with anyone?”
“I don’t know what you do when you’re at work,” I said with a shrug.
“Lily, I’m not seeing anyone. If we are dating, I’m not going to start seeing anyone. I’m not interested in trying to juggle more than one woman.”
That satisfied me. “Okay.”
“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?” I teased.
“Are you going to see any of the guys that have been calling you?” he asked and I picked up on a little jealousy.
“No one has been calling,” I replied.
“Texting. Same thing. Do I have competition?”
I wasn’t going to play games with the man. “No, you don’t. I’m only interested in one man.”
He winked. “Good girl.”
I rolled my eyes. “Like you have anything to worry about. You know you’re hot. Unlike Gage, you really can have anyone you want. I’m going to keep my eye on you.”
“Keep both eyes on me,” he replied.
28
Thomas
I felt like the biggest asshole in the world. I hated to do it, but I had to cancel our Tuesday plans. I had a meeting with a potential investor. I wasn’t really interested in begging anyone for money. My company was doing just fine. We weren’t exactly flush with cash, but we weren’t broke. We were doing fine.
“Don’t back out on this,” Chris said, popping his head into my office.
“I’m not,” I growled. “I don’t know why you scheduled it for tonight.”
“Because they are flying in from California. They are very interested in meeting with you. Your standing Tuesday dinner is not going anywhere. Do it tomorrow. This is important. You’ve got that new app. A boost of cash would go a long way to making it a hit.”
“I know, I know,” I muttered. “I’m calling her now. I’m letting Lily know I won’t be home. This is really not cool. She’s going to be pissed.”
“You’ll make it up to her,” he said and walked away.
He had no idea how important these Tuesday plans were to us. I doubted anyone could understand it. I grabbed my cell phone and considered texting her but figured this was important enough for a phone call.
“Hey,” she answered her phone. “What’s up?”
Hearing her voice made me want to talk to her before I had to tell her the bad news. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m on my way to the library. What’s going on?”
“I’ve got some bad news,” I said.
“Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good,” she said. “What happened?”
“Chris scheduled a meeting for six,” I told her. “I can’t miss it.”
“Oh man,” she said. “No Thai and Tino’s.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea he scheduled this thing. I can’t get out of it.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “Your work is important. I understand.”
“I’m really sorry,” I said again. “What about tomorrow night? Can we do, uh, Wednesday—” I tried to think of something that started with a W but came up blank.
“Tomorrow night works for me,” she said.
“What do you want to get for dinner?” I asked. I could hear her disappointment and wanted to make it up to her. “Wine? Waffles? Wieners?”
She burst into laughter. “Wieners! Did you really just say wieners?”
“Sorry,” I said with a laugh. “I was on a roll.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “We’ll figure something out tomorrow.”
“Alright, I really am sorry. I’ll probably be home late.”
“If I don’t see you tonight, I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. “Good luck.”
I ended the call and tried to focus on work. I wanted to do something to make it up to her. I got an idea and felt better about standing her up. I got home very late that night. The men from California insisted on taking me and Chris out for dinner which turned to drinks. I wrote Lily a quick note and left it on the counter with a pastry sealed in a plastic container.
I was at work when I got a text from her. She was looking forward to our date. I was keeping it a secret. I knew she had to work tonight. I was leaving work early to get home in time to create my surprise for her.
I picked up our dinner and other supplies before rushing home. I spread out the rose petals on the kitchen table and lit the candles I bought. I pulled up a soft rock station on my Sirius app and connected it to the Bluetooth speakers. Dinner was staying warm in the oven.
When she got home, I met her at the door with a glass of wine. “Hello,” I greeted and gave her a kiss before taking her bag.
Match Me Up Page 17