Page 37 of The Rules of Dating a Younger Man

I nodded.

She lifted her chin to Charlie, now waiting for the elevator. “He seems like a really nice guy. I talked to him a bit today. I guess he’s staying here, too?”

“Yep.”

“Good. I was a little worried he might be sleeping in his car or something.”

“Nope. All good.”

The woman behind the desk gave Alex a new keycard, and we walked to the elevator together. I pressed the button, and the doors slid open. “You up for some dinner?”

The look on Alex’s face told me the answer before she spoke. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Last night was…a mistake. I had too much to drink and…” She shook her head. “It just shouldn’t have happened.”

My heart sank. I wasn’t sure if it was the lack of sleep or being rejected one time too many, but I didn’t have the heart to argue with her. I forced a smile. “Okay.”

“I’m sorry.”

I raised a hand. “It’s fine. Nothing to be sorry about.”

An hour later, I was still feeling glum when room service knocked on my door. I’d ordered a bunch of shit I normally wouldn’t allow myself to eat—macaroni and cheese, a BLT, and a side order of tater tots from the kids’ menu. Just as I sat down to munch away my sadness, my phone buzzed. Alex’s name flashed on the screen. I was tempted not to pick it up, but I couldn’t help myself.

Alex: Is it too late to take you up on your offer for dinner?

I started to type back, but decided it would be quicker to call.

She answered on the first ring. “Hey, Brayden.”

“I’d love to have dinner with you. But what made you change your mind?”

“Charlie.”

“Charlie the volunteer?”

“Yeah. I went to get a water from the vending machine on my floor, and he was there getting ice.”

“Okay…”

“He told me what you did for him. The hotel room, the suit… It made me realize my attraction to you is more than just physical. I’m attracted to the man you are, Brayden. I don’t know where this can go or what it means, but I know I would love to have dinner with you.”

“How does ten minutes in the lobby sound?”

“It sounds perfect.”

I did a quick cleanup—swiping on deodorant and brushing my teeth—then wheeled the food cart out of the room with me, and down the elevator. At the second floor, I stepped off, walked down to room two eighteen, and knocked.

Charlie opened the door and looked at the cart. “What’s all this?”

“Dinner.”

“Wow. Thanks, Brayden.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank Ryan. Actually…” I smiled. “I think Ryan did me a solid tonight, too. So we both can thank him.”

CHAPTER 9

Alex

Dinner with Brayden tonight had not helped my predicament in the least. I was even more hot for him than I’d been earlier in the day. Our conversation had flowed so easily. After I’d asked him to tell me more about his job, Brayden had explained some of the ideas he had for future prosthetic designs. He really impressed me. And for a guy who could be cocky when he wanted to, Brayden was quite humble. He hadn’t bragged about helping Charlie. He could’ve used that to his benefit, but he didn’t.

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