Page 11 of Tempting the Tender Guy: Imperfect Heroes

“Yeah,” I say, drawing the word out as doubt creeps in. “We had a nice time, but he didn’t seem interested in, ummm... extending our evening.”

“You didn’t like the animal sanctuary?”

I let out a huff. “No, it was really nice. A bit on the sad side that all the animals aren’t in the wild due to injuries caused by human, but also great that they were able to recover and at least live their lives in peace there. The point was the place closed at seven and that was the end of the date.”

“Oh!” Yvonne exclaims. “You wanted to go somewhere else, like maybe grab a coffee or something.”

“Yeah, or something.” I squirm and just blurt the rest out. “I wanted him to come back to my place with me!”

Silence greets that. I glance at my phone to make sure we didn’t get disconnected and happen to see Doug standing at the back door glaring my way. What is that guy’s problem?

Ignoring him, I get back to my conversation.

“Hey! No judging! I’m sure you haven’t just been holding Henry’s hand.”

“Not on our first date!” Yvonne protests.

I roll my eyes, happy to see Doug went back inside. “Hey! Mack’s handsome and I’ve been interested in him for a long time. The kissing might have gone to my head.”

“Kissing, huh?”

“Oh stop!” I stick my fingernail in my mouth and immediately pull it out. I just got my nails done, don’t need to letmy bad habit and nervousness ruin them. “Seriously, when does a guy turn down sex?”

“He probably wants to take things slow.”

Sighing, I nod. “That’s what he said too. I’m not sure I believe him.”

“Taking things slowly isn’t a bad thing. How much do you really know about Mack, anyway? Time is our greatest teacher.”

“Oh thank you, oh wise one,” I snap.

Yvonne laughs. “If it’s bugging you so much you need to make the next move. Call him and set up another date.”

I really wanted him to call me, but perhaps she’s right. Especially after how clueless I was after he gave me his number. This might be the chance to show him that I’m serious in my interest in a relationship, not just a hookup. “Maybe I will. Okay, enough about me. How’s Henry doing?”

There’s a brief rustling noise and then Henry says, “Hi, Sadie. Congrats on your date.”

My eyes flare wide, and I fight to hold back a laugh. Maybe I did catch them mid-boink.

“Thanks Henry, I gotta go. You two behave!”

Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I head back into the restaurant to face Doug’s wrath.

CHAPTER SIX

MACK

“Mack!”

I glance over at Terry standing over at her station. “What’s up?”

“You’ve been a million miles away lately.”

Grinning, I shrug. “Just a lot on my mind.” I don’t elaborate because despite our past I like to keep my private business just that, private.

Terry’s silver snake bite piercing gleams as she smiles. “New girl, huh?” she says with a speculative glint in her dark eyes. The barbell in her tongue pops out as she taps it on her upper lip. “Nice! Good luck.”

I nod and turn back to setting up my station. Trying to follow her conversation across the room it hit me how much I’ve been relying more and more on reading lips. It’s worrisome for a number of reasons.

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