Page 45 of The Off-Limits Rule: Extended Edition

We both chuckle lightly at this, and I’m surprised by how quickly first date etiquette returns to me.Ha ha, why yes, Ethan, Iam sophisticated and definitely did not eat a string cheese and fruit snacks on the way over here.

A moment later, the hostess calls our name and takes us to our table. I notice that Ethan places his hand on my lower back to guide me. It’s a little touchy-feely for a first date, but I don’t hate it. It actually feels kind of nice to be wanted.

Too bad my mind rushes back to feeling Cooper’s rough hand glide up my spine, causing goosebumps to erupt down my arms. I shiver a little, and Ethan notices.

“Are you cold? Do you need my jacket?” he asks as we take our seats.

“No, I’m okay, thank you. Just a…little draft.” I laugh nervously and pick up my menu. I’m only a hundred and twenty seconds into this date and already I need a reprieve from acting normal. Normal is exhausting.

Also, I need to get Cooper out of my head. No more thoughts of that man or his abs or how sweet he looked with Levi up on his shoulders flying a kite. Since Cooper was not the one to ask me out on a date tonight, he’s got togo.

Except…is that…? Surely not.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” I say, noticing the man behind Ethan as he walks through the front doors of the restaurant with a hot little brunette on his arm.

“What?” Ethan asks, looking up with a furrowed brow.

Ah shoot, I didn’t mean to say it out loud. I quickly cover my tracks and gesture toward the menu with an overly bright smile. “A burger!Soexcited they have a burger on the menu. I thought this might be one of those snooty restaurants that only has”—it’s at this moment I realize I’m being rude and quickly change my conversational track—“amazing food that will ruin me for all other foods in the future.” I give a weak laugh and deeply regret who Iam as a person. I also track Cooper and his movements like I’m Jason Bourne and my target has arrived.

Ethan is nice, though, and chuckles softly, ignoring my odd outburst and returning his gaze to his own menu. “I hear you. I barely eat anything grown-up these days. It seems like all my daughter ever wants is chicken nuggets and mac and cheese.”

I should be so excited to be talking with Ethan about our kids and boxed pasta. I imagine most men don’t want to discuss child menus with their dates, so I should be savoring this moment and whipping out stories of the month when Levi refused to eat anything other than strawberry yogurt. The judgment from his pediatrician wasstrong.Instead, I have the distinct feeling of wanting to tell him to hush it up so I can focus on reading Cooper’s lips as he talks to his date across the room. They’re laughing about something. Ugh. What could possibly be so funny that she needs to lean across the table and touch his arm? Nothing.

Here’s the thing: Cooper knew I was coming here tonight.Andhe knew what time. So, what theactual hellis he doing over there with that woman? At first, I think he doesn’t even remember I’m supposed to be here tonight; then, without even turning his head, his eyes cut directly to me, and he winks.He freaking winks.Like he knew I was sitting here the whole time. Like he sought me out through the window before he even walkedin.

He holds my gaze for two breaths, gives a quiet smirk as his head tilts to the side and his gaze drops to my bare legs, and then slowly turns his eyes back to his date. I note, with both pride and confusion, that his smile fades when he looks at her.

“Lucy?” Ethan asks, like maybe he’s already said my name a few times. Oh shoot. I bet he did.

“Oh! Yep. That’s me. Sorry.” I smile and shrug. “I thought I saw som…” My sentence trails off when I notice my phone light upon the table. I always have it where I can see it in case my mom needs to get ahold of me about Levi.Thisis not my mom.

I quickly pick up my phone. “Sorry, let me just check this really quick. Could be my sitter.” It’s not. I’m a liar.

Cooper:Hi.

I cut my eyes to the side briefly and can see that Cooper isn’t even looking at his phone anymore. What’s his angle?

Lucy:Hi? What do you think you’re doing?

I set my phone down again and attempt to dive back into my date. Any responses from Cooper will just have to wait.

“So, tell me about yourself, Ethan.” I sound way too excited to hear about his life, like I’m overcompensating for wishing I was sitting across the restaurant instead. I hope he doesn’t pick up on that.

“Well, I’m sure you put two and two together and realized I’mdivorced”—he whispers it dramatically like he knows it’s a dirty word—“and I have a daughter named Emily. I love my job at the hospital, and I prefer summer over winter. Blue is my favorite color.” I don’t love that this is beginning to feel like a round of speed dating. And maybe I’m being unfair by judging our lack of chemistry too quickly, but this whole thing is feeling forced in a bad way. “What about you?”

“As you know, my name is Lucy. I have a four-year-old son named Levi”—Why am I doing the speed-dating thing now? Oh well, I’ve committed—“and I prefer cake to ice cream.”

He laughs like this is the funniest thing he’s ever heard. A loud shocking laugh that makes my shoulders jump. Thankfully, amoment later, Ethan gets a phone call fromhissitter and says he has to takeit.

My phone buzzes immediately.

I try to keep my gaze appropriately fixed on my date andnoton that screen. My eyes are watering because I’ve taken it to the next level and won’t blink either.Must not look away. Prepare to ask this man questions about his daughter’s sleeping habits, or daytime activities, or…oh, screwit.

Cooper:You look too hot for him. Is he a snooze fest?

Lucy:Stop it! What are you doing here??? And who’s the model? She seems nice.

Cooper:Careful, you sound a little jealous. And she’s not a model. She’s a lawyer, if you must know.

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