Page 61 of One Life to Loathe

“Oh.” Leo darted a look up to me. Because I didn’t know what to do, I merely smiled. I hoped it came across as encouraging. “Well, I’m not sure?—”

Sabrina cut him off before he could finish it out. “I’m not looking for anything serious,” she wheedled. “I just want to have a good time.”

Leo looked at me again. Was he seeking permission? As cool as I wanted to be, I couldn’t give it to him. Instead, I averted my gaze.

“Sure,” Leo said finally. “Low key sounds good. I need to go back to my room and shower and change.”

“We can meet in the lobby at seven o’clock,” Sabrina offered. “I know where we’re going. We can walk over together.”

“That sounds fine.”

Something hurt inside my chest, and I started to rub at the pain, which was directly over my heart. It wasn’t physical pain. No, it was something else.

“Sam,” Leo said in a low voice. I knew he was moving in my direction without having to glance over my shoulder.

He didn’t owe me anything. I could guess what he was going to say. If he turned his attention to someone else, this thing between us would likely fizzle out. I got it. I understood it.

That didn’t mean I had to like it.

Before I could tell him that he didn’t need to make excuses, Miles appeared in front of me.

“I’m glad you haven’t left,” he said. “I was hoping you would be open to having a meal with me tonight.”

That was not what I was expecting to come out of his mouth. “What?” I blurted. Was he asking me out on a date?

Behind me, Leo made a noise I couldn’t quite identify. It sounded as if he was caught between a growl and a laugh. What was funny about Miles asking me out? Did he think he was the only one who found me attractive? Even if it was only for a single night.

“Dinner,” Miles repeated. He didn’t seem to be picking up on my distress. “I was thinking seafood, but if you’re not up for that, we can find a place that serves something different.”

“Dinner,” I repeated to buy myself time.

“Yes, dinner.” His smile was sweet, his expression hopeful.

I made up my mind on the spot. If Leo could go out with someone else, perhaps I should do the same. I was never going to fall head over heels for Miles—the zip just wasn’t there—but that didn’t mean I couldn’t distract myself and have a nice meal in the process.

“That sounds great,” I said.

“Really?” Miles’s smile was so wide it spread across his entire face. “Awesome. How long do you need to be ready?”

“Um … give me an hour, and I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby.” I was feeling flustered and needed Miles to walk away before I changed my mind.

“That sounds perfect.” Miles shot me an adorable thumbs-up and hurried back over to the computers.

When I turned, I found Leo watching me with dark eyes. “So…” I didn’t know what else to say.

“So,” he agreed.

“I guess we both have dates.” I wasn’t really thinking about my meal with Miles as a date, but I’d already used the word, so there was no taking it back.

“I guess,” he agreed.

“I hope you have fun on yours. Maybe they’ll have a placemat she can color or something while you’re waiting for your food to be delivered.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” he demanded.

“Nothing. She’s just … very young.”

“She’s old enough to drink.”

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