Page 47 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

“Nothing,” she says. “It’s a pity that your first date of the year is a fake one.”

“Don’t sweat it.” She has no idea that this is what I really want. I don’t see this as a fake anything; I’m getting to know Jessica on a deeper level, and that’s all that matters.

We arrive at the restaurant in another few minutes. Jessica gasps as we pull over to the curb, and a valet approaches us. It’s a five-star restaurant in the heart of town. I made reservations as soon as Jessica agreed to go on this date with me.

“Sean!” Jessica grabs my arm. “This place will cost a fortune. Since it’s a fake date, we could have gone somewhere less expensive!”

Her eyes are expressive and wide with concern, and I find my gaze being drawn to her lips. Before I do anything stupid, I get out of the car and hand the keys over to the valet.

“Welcome to Blossom, sir. I hope you have a wonderful night,” the uniformed man says.

“Thank you,” I say.

We exit the car and I hold out my arm. “Shall we?”

Jessica looks at my arm and hesitates before she entwines her arm with mine. “Let’s go.”

The ambiance and aesthetic of Blossom match any five-star restaurant in the city, and as we walk inside, I’m impressed. A hostess in a prim uniform approaches us, a polite smile on her face.

“Hello. Welcome to Blossom.”

“Hi. We have reservations,” I say. “Under the name J.S. Ethan.”

She goes through the pad in her hands and then looks up at us with a smile. “Come with me.”

We follow her as she weaves through tables and quiet chatter until she stops at our table. There’s already a bottle of wine in a bucket of ice waiting.

“Please, sir,” the hostess says. “Someone will come get your order.”

I hold the chair out for Jessica and help her into her seat before taking mine. The hostess leaves after a final nod in our direction.

“I can’t believe you used my pen name to make this reservation,” Jessica says animatedly. “Sean O’Connell, you are full of surprises.”

I laugh. “That’s another genuine compliment. You’re doing well.” I pick up the menu and hand it to her. “Don’t hesitate to order whatever you’d like.”

Jessica smiles as she takes the menu from me. As she scans it, I watch her, in awe at the fact that she’s sitting here with me on a date.

“You’re so beautiful, Jessica. It’s dreamlike.”

Her mouth falls open, and I watch with fascination as a blush creeps up her neck and stains her cheeks. She touches a hand to her chin and pouts.

“What was that for?”

“Oh, gracious heavens. You’ve just failed that test.”

“What?” Jessica cries.

“When you’re complimented on a date, you should just say ‘thank you’.”

She rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to the menu.

“Fine, I got it. I was just caught off guard.”

It was a genuine compliment. She looks beautiful, but I’d rather not say that. She should think we’re playing a game.

“How about this for starters?” She taps an item on the menu and shows it to me. It’s a shrimp cocktail, and at that moment my stomach grumbles. I look at Jessica and see her hiding a smile. As if sensing my hunger, our waiter materializes.

“Hi there. I’m Matt and I’ll be your waiter for the evening. Have you decided on any appetizers?”

---