social media.” I’m not sure why that’s an argument to his spying confession, but I say it anyways.
“I’m not on social media, but I can use Google and other information-gathering services.” There’s a sharpness to his voice. He’s not angry. Maybe it’s confidence or cockiness. Maybe he’s pretending to be something he’s not. His shoulders seem unnaturally stiff, as if he’s trying to have good posture in a chair too small for his body. His eyes are the only things which seem natural, and they’re smoldering.
I know the feeling. I feel like the part of MK Landry tonight is being played by an imposter who can’t find the right words and has forgotten how to have a conversation.
“Tell me about your job.” He shifts in his chair but still looks uncomfortable.
I’m relieved by the change in subject, and my hands relax. I begin sharing with him information about my human resources job and the ladies I work with when he cuts me off by touching my forearm. Shivers run down my spine, and I silently beg his hand to stay there. “I’m sorry, MK. I meant for you to tell me about your site.”
He signals for the waiter, and a man in a white shirt appears at my side with a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white. “I’ll have what he’s having.” In my head, I mean I’ll have water like he’s drinking, but Aaron doesn’t interpret my comment that way.
“I’m not drinking,” he says dismissively. “Choose what you want. If you don’t like these choices, I’m sure he can bring others. Have a mixed drink if you prefer that.”
I feel so out of my league here. Wine would be nice. “A glass of Pinot Noir please.” I tell the waiter, hoping it’s not too expensive. Yes. Aaron bought out half a restaurant, but I don’t want to over-order. Manners books say I should order off the menu in the same price range.
“Bring her the bottle,” Aaron amends.
“Aaron, I can’t drink a bottle of wine.” My eyes grow wide. “Sure, I’ve got a tolerance, but I have to work tomorrow. Please, a glass is enough. Water was my first choice.”
“Whatever you don’t drink they can cork and you can take it home. Think of it as a party favor.” There’s the smirk that last night I longed to see again. For the first time this evening, he seems more like the guy I met at Eddy’s.
The waiter nods and scurries off.
His comment makes me relax. A party favor on a date. How funny is that? Before I can stop myself, I feel my eyes make a full one-hundred-and-eighty-degree rotation in their sockets.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” His smile is genuine and settles the butterflies in my stomach.
I giggle. “I think I did.”
“Because I’m being gentlemanly?” His eyebrow cocks in confusion.
“No. Thank you. It’s very generous to order the whole bottle of wine. But I was fine with just a glass. You see if you’re not drinking, then I’m not drinking much. I need all my defenses up.” I grab my water and take a sip to hide my smile.
“I think I might like your defenses down.” The playful glint in his eyes from last night is also back. He leans in, crossing his arms and resting them on the table. “So tell me about your website.”
It’s odd. The table isn’t big, and his large frame is definitely in what I define as my personal space. Instead of leaning back to regain my area, I shift my weight forward so I’m more telling him a secret I don’t want others to hear than talking about my baby. Of course, this is all subconscious, but when I note it, I realize just how attracted I am to Aaron. He’s not pulling away so the feeling must be somewhat mutual.
I love talking about NPC. This is safe ground for me, and my shoulders agree by finally relaxing. “It started as a way for me to connect with other girls like me. I thought, if I’m feeling this way, I bet there are a ton of other girls out there who are in the same boat.”
“And how were you feeling?” He’s genuinely
“I’m not on social media, but I can use Google and other information-gathering services.” There’s a sharpness to his voice. He’s not angry. Maybe it’s confidence or cockiness. Maybe he’s pretending to be something he’s not. His shoulders seem unnaturally stiff, as if he’s trying to have good posture in a chair too small for his body. His eyes are the only things which seem natural, and they’re smoldering.
I know the feeling. I feel like the part of MK Landry tonight is being played by an imposter who can’t find the right words and has forgotten how to have a conversation.
“Tell me about your job.” He shifts in his chair but still looks uncomfortable.
I’m relieved by the change in subject, and my hands relax. I begin sharing with him information about my human resources job and the ladies I work with when he cuts me off by touching my forearm. Shivers run down my spine, and I silently beg his hand to stay there. “I’m sorry, MK. I meant for you to tell me about your site.”
He signals for the waiter, and a man in a white shirt appears at my side with a bottle of red wine and a bottle of white. “I’ll have what he’s having.” In my head, I mean I’ll have water like he’s drinking, but Aaron doesn’t interpret my comment that way.
“I’m not drinking,” he says dismissively. “Choose what you want. If you don’t like these choices, I’m sure he can bring others. Have a mixed drink if you prefer that.”
I feel so out of my league here. Wine would be nice. “A glass of Pinot Noir please.” I tell the waiter, hoping it’s not too expensive. Yes. Aaron bought out half a restaurant, but I don’t want to over-order. Manners books say I should order off the menu in the same price range.
“Bring her the bottle,” Aaron amends.
“Aaron, I can’t drink a bottle of wine.” My eyes grow wide. “Sure, I’ve got a tolerance, but I have to work tomorrow. Please, a glass is enough. Water was my first choice.”
“Whatever you don’t drink they can cork and you can take it home. Think of it as a party favor.” There’s the smirk that last night I longed to see again. For the first time this evening, he seems more like the guy I met at Eddy’s.
The waiter nods and scurries off.
His comment makes me relax. A party favor on a date. How funny is that? Before I can stop myself, I feel my eyes make a full one-hundred-and-eighty-degree rotation in their sockets.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” His smile is genuine and settles the butterflies in my stomach.
I giggle. “I think I did.”
“Because I’m being gentlemanly?” His eyebrow cocks in confusion.
“No. Thank you. It’s very generous to order the whole bottle of wine. But I was fine with just a glass. You see if you’re not drinking, then I’m not drinking much. I need all my defenses up.” I grab my water and take a sip to hide my smile.
“I think I might like your defenses down.” The playful glint in his eyes from last night is also back. He leans in, crossing his arms and resting them on the table. “So tell me about your website.”
It’s odd. The table isn’t big, and his large frame is definitely in what I define as my personal space. Instead of leaning back to regain my area, I shift my weight forward so I’m more telling him a secret I don’t want others to hear than talking about my baby. Of course, this is all subconscious, but when I note it, I realize just how attracted I am to Aaron. He’s not pulling away so the feeling must be somewhat mutual.
I love talking about NPC. This is safe ground for me, and my shoulders agree by finally relaxing. “It started as a way for me to connect with other girls like me. I thought, if I’m feeling this way, I bet there are a ton of other girls out there who are in the same boat.”
“And how were you feeling?” He’s genuinely
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