Page 27 of Going All In

I watch the muscles in his forearm ripple as he lifts his ball and places it on the ball return next to mine.

Justin touches my lower back lightly. “I’ll go get us some drinks while you set up the game board. What can I get you to drink?”

I request a vodka cranberry. He heads to the bar, and I turn to the screen to enter our names. This date is already going better than the last one. He’s refreshingly normal, considerate, and reasonably good-looking. Not as good-looking as Maddox, but definitely a safer option.

* * *

“STRIKE!” I do a little dance, shimmying my butt as I walk back to the seats.

Justin wraps his arms around me in a congratulatory hug, and I look up at him, smiling.

He really does have a nice face. JJ picked out a good one this time. Good on paper, nice in person.

Justin dips his head to give me a peck on the lips. Just a peck. He unwraps himself and steps back. “I really like hanging out with you, Holly.”

“Same,” I answer honestly. And I do. I like the thought of seeing him again. There might not be butterflies, but those will come with time. I think.

Justin pays for our date. He’s polite, respectful, sweet.Check, check, check.He puts a hand lightly on the small of my back as we walk to the exit. Outside, he waits with me for my ride share and offers me his coat, which I politely decline.

I check my phone, ignoring a handful of text messages to see where my ride is. About four minutes away. I share this information with Justin.

“Thanks for waiting with me. I’m probably not going to get abducted here, but I don’t want my story to end up as an SVU episode.” I smile at him.

“Hey, I get it. I love that show, but it gives you ideas.”

I laugh, nodding. He gets it.

Justin takes a step closer to me. “Can I see you again?”

“I’d like that,” I say.

His perfect white teeth are on display as he smiles. None of those smile lines around his eyes, but no one’s perfect, right? “Is it too much to hope you’re free tomorrow night?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek. I’m just going out with JJ, but she’d kill me if I canceled plans with her for a guy. “I have plans tomorrow, actually. I’m going to a bar with my best friend. She’s cool, though. If you want to join us, that would be great, or maybe we can try for next week.”

“I’d love to meet her if she’s cool with me crashing your girls’ night. What bar?”

“Darby’s,” I whisper as he steps a little too close. He’s good-looking. We get along, and we had a good date. We’re talking about another one, for Christ’s sake. It’s not supposed to feel weird.

Justin tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Can I kiss you, Holly?”

I nod, because what else does one do here? I can’t ruin my chances with this one. His lips come down on mine, and it’s like the peck on the lips he gave me earlier. It’s sweet, respectful. It feels… okay. I can work with this, I think.

He breaks away and steps back as a car pulls up. “I had a really nice time tonight, Holly. I’ll text you.” He looks over my shoulder at the car. “Check the license plate against the app.”

* * *

Maddox

How’s the date going?

Must be good. Can’t wait to hear about it, babe.

JJ

How’s the date going? Is he as hot as his picture?

You better give me details, bitch.

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