Page 46 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

“Duke, give her a kiss.”

I flash them all a big smile, and flutter a wave with my free hand. The other is holding on tightly to Duke’s, as he plows determinedly through the scrum, leading me safely to the front door.

“Avery!” One of them lunges closer. “Are you really quitting Hollywood?”

He’s got his cameraphone right in my face, and I automatically step back, almost losing my balance. But Duke holds me steady, moving to block the guy with his broad frame.

“Wow, that’s an awfully big question,” I give a breezy laugh, recovering. “Right now, I’m just planning on enjoying a delicious dinner. Maybe I’ll save you all a lobster roll!”

There’s laughter. I flutter another wave, and then follow Duke inside.

The door slams shut behind us, but I don’t even have time to catch my breath before the maître-d’ rushes to greet us. “Welcome, welcome,” he gushes.

“I’m so sorry about the commotion,” I’m sure to tell him. “I hope it’s not causing too much trouble.”

“No, ma’am,” he says, looking thrilled. “Your team told us to expect the attention.”

I realize that I’m still holding tight to Duke’s hand. I reluctantly release it, as the manager leads us across the room to our table.

“Enjoy your evening,” he beams, and then we’re left alone.

I finally exhale. Looking around the restaurant for the first time, I can see it’s a fancy, formal kind of vibe: stiff linen tablecloths, glittering chandeliers, and expensively-dressed diners picking at elaborate seafood towers. At the table next to us, an old man in a seersucker suit is droning on, spraying droplets of spit across the floral arrangement at his bored-looking daughter.

At least, I hope it’s his daughter.

“This place looks nice,” I say brightly, turning back to Duke. He’s also looking around the elegant room, but he doesn’t seem thrilled to be here. “If there’s one thing the French know how to do, it’s bake some bread,” I add, pulling the basket of dinner rolls closer.

He nods, and then there’s a long silence as I butter a roll, eating one piece, and then another.

“So—” Duke finally starts, at the same time as I pipe up:

“Well—”

We both stop.

“You first,” Duke says quickly.

“No, you.”

“It’s fine, really,” he insists, looking even more uncomfortable. “You go.”

The absurdity of the situation is too much for me. I burst out with a snort of laughter.

“I’m sorry,” I say through giggles, as Duke stares at me, looking baffled. “It’s just…”

Forty-eight hours ago you had your tongue in my mouth and your hands on my ass.

“It’s just we’re not even doing this for real,” I manage. “But it already feels like the most awkward first date in the world!”

Duke finally cracks a grin. “It is… weird,” he admits, sitting back in his chair. “I don’t know why I feel so self-conscious. I never usually care on dates.”

“Gee, maybe that’s why you’re still single,” I crack, taking a sip of water.

He rolls his eyes. “I’m single because I can do without all the drama. What’s your excuse?”

“Excuse…” I repeat, shaking my head. “You sound like the tabloids. ‘Why can’t Avery find love?’” I mimic dramatically. “’What’s wrong with her? She’ll wind up wretched and alone! I’m only twenty-six,” I add.

Duke cocks an eyebrow at me. I blush.

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