Page 21 of Teasing a King

I can’t deny I’m pleased by the compliment. I’d changed my outfit three times before settling on the casual deep purple halter dress I’m currently wearing. It’s cute, but not too sexy. Casual, but not so casual I look like I’m on a trip to the grocery store. I’d taken more care than usual with my hair and makeup. No matter how many times I told myself this wasn’t a real date, I couldn’t stop myself from trying to look pretty for Van. And I couldn’t lie to myself about it either, no matter how much I might want to.

“Thank you,” I say. “So do you.”

Van’s smile widens and he takes a sip from his water glass before picking up his menu. “This place has great eggplant parmesan,” he says.

“Yum,” I say. “One of my favorites.”

“Mine, too,” Van says.

The server comes along and asks us about a wine choice. I, of course, decline, opting for sparkling water instead. Van orders iced tea. The server doesn’t say anything, but he gives us a disdainful look before leaving to get our drinks. As soon as he’s out of hearing range, Van leans over to speak.

“I get the feeling he’s judging us for not having wine with our meal,” he says, grinning conspiratorially.

“Wonder what he’d do if I asked for the kid’s menu,” I say.

Van laughs. “Probably ask us to leave, I’m sure.”

“Let’s not risk it,” I say. “I’m looking forward to the eggplant parm now.”

“Good call.”

The server returns with our drinks, and we order our entrees. When he disappears again, we both sip in silence for a few minutes until I remember my vow to myself in the car. Be confident. Assertive. Take control of the situation. I take a breath and look up to find Van’s gaze on me. I freeze, struck by the look in his eyes.

“What?” I ask, wondering why he’s staring.

He shakes his head and whatever I’d seen in his eyes is gone. “Nothing,” he says. “I like that color on you. It brings out the gold in your eyes.”

Flustered, I can only shake my head. “Thank you,” I say with a small smile.Remember why you’re here, Mya. Right. The list.

“Van, listen,” I begin. “I think we need to discuss the real reason we’re here tonight.”

Van’s face turns serious, and he nods. “Of course.” He reaches into his pocket to pull out a folded sheet of paper and place it on the table.

I look from the folded piece of paper to Van’s face before reaching into my purse to pull out my own list. He lifts an eyebrow as he looks at me.

“Trade?” he asks.

I take a breath and nod, handing him my list as he slides his across the table to me. I’m careful not to touch his hand as I take the paper from him. I unfold the paper, not sure what to expect. It’s a full-sized sheet of paper, but there’s surprisingly little written on it. My eyes go to the top of the page where there’s a single line of writing. I read the words written there in neat, black ink.

The baby comes before everything else.

I look back to Van’s face. He’s still reading my list. There are only four items on it, so I know he’s probably reading it for the second time by now. Finally, he looks up at me.

“Is this what you really want?” he asks in a careful tone.

I can only assume he’s referring to the second item on my list. The one that says we’re to be friends only. I nod.

“I think it’s for the best,” I say softly.

Van looks back to the list, his eyes scanning the words. “Obviously, I agree with the first item. It’s the only one on my list. And it’s the most important one, I think. I also agree that we should be open and communicate with each other. Number four says ‘No hard feelings’.” He looks up at me. “What does that mean?”

It doesn’t escape my attention that he skipped over the second item on the list. If he doesn’t want to acknowledge it right now, I won’t either. “It means that no matter what happens with our little roommate experiment, we won’t hold it against one another. If one of us decides it’s not working, we can end it without the other person getting angry. We’ll remain friendly and cordial for the sake of the baby.”

He nods. “Makes sense.”

Van takes a sip of his tea before speaking again. “I’d like to add an addendum,” he says, catching me off guard.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

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