Page 38 of Clueless Romeo

He placed his elbows on the table and loosely clasped his hands. "I ordered steak and salads. I hope that's to your liking."

To my liking.Good lord. He even talked fancy. Where was the jock I was promised? Roman was now officially on my shit list. But there was no denying the guy was attractive. He could have his pick of men in any crowd, so why was he still single?

A little annoyed he'd ordered for me, I debated whether I should tell him I was vegan or something. But the steak did sound great. "That's perfect. Thanks."

He glanced over my shoulder and snapped his fingers. Within seconds a man stood next to the table, back straight and wearing a uniform similar to that of the hostess. "What can I get you, Mr. Michaels?"

"Another glass of wine and…" He eyed me, waiting for me to fill in the blank.

Wine was where I drew the line. "A beer, please. Blond."

The waiter blinked at me, and Nate chuckled.

My brow furrowed. If the waiter seriously told me the beer wasn't an option, I'd have to go full top-shelf liquor to get through this date.

"A beer, please, Marcus." Nate was still grinning, humor dancing in his eyes.

I couldn't get a clear reading on the guy. He appeared to fit in with the elite just fine but somehow relaxed beneath the shiny exterior. He seemed to be enjoying the moment.

"I'm sure I can locate one for you." The waiter appeared frazzled, and I knew the task would be daunting.

I'd had enough.

It wasn't about the beer.

It wasn't even about Nate.

It was the whole situation.

I shouldn't have come at all.

As soon as the waiter stepped away with his brows furrowed, I faced Nate.

He was already studying me with a thoughtful expression. "You don't care for this place, do you?"

I scratched behind my ear and finally shook my head. "Honestly? No. I feel out of place."

He tilted his head. "Where would you feel more comfortable?"

"A bar, maybe." Literally anywhere but here.

Nate appeared confused, leaning back and tapping a finger on the tabletop. "Roman assured me this would be something you'd enjoy."

Roman was a damn liar, and we would be having a conversation. Soon. What was the point in a questionnaire if he would ignore every damn thing I wrote anyway?

The memory of his lips so close to mine, barely touching, arose uninvited. Lips that told lies because I was beginning to realize this date wasn't meant to succeed at all.

What was his game here?

"I'm sorry, Nate. This just isn't me."

He frowned and rolled his lips together. "We could go somewhere else. Your choice."

I considered the offer, but it still wouldn't be fair to him. This would never work. Casual or not.

"Or we could skip dinner altogether." His comment cut off my thoughts, and my cheeks flushed hot. "My place isn't far from here."

Speechless, it took me a full minute to form a response. "Roman said you were looking for something serious."

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