Page 13 of Second Down Scrooge

Whether or not I’m lying to him. Or myself.

I sigh as I pull my hand back. “Bye.” I head down the hallway and join Max, who glances up the hallway in the direction I came from as if he’s wondering whose voices those were, but I don’t answer his unasked question.

I know his grandmother knows I’m a single mom, but I have no idea whether she shared that with him or not.

We get into his car, a Volkswagen SUV, and he starts driving toward a restaurant. “So, you work at Cookie’s Cookies?” he asks.

I nod. “I’m the office manager there.” I’m about to add that I used to teach kindergarten but quit when I had my daughter so I could be with her, but I leave all that out. For now. “What about you?”

“I’m in computer programming.”

Well, that sounds…boring. But I don’t say that.

“Do you like it?”

He nods. “It’s all right. Pays the bills. What about you?”

“I like it. My best friend owns the bakery, so I get to work with her every day. We have a lot of fun.”

“My grandma raves about the cakes there.”

“I don’t make them.” I have noidea why I just said that. What a stupidly blunt reply to a compliment to my workplace. I don’t even know how to backtrack out of that, and it’s clear I’m out of practice when it comes to dating. I guess I’m also out of practice when it comes to having a conversation with another adult.

We sit in awkward silence until we pull up to the restaurant, an Italian place, and I could really use another shot of vodka. He navigates the parking lot twice for a spot, and I’ve never been here, but it must be really good based on how crowded the parking lot is.

I hope he made a reservation.

I follow him into the restaurant once he finally parks. I glance around. It’s a cute restaurant, and it’s all decked out in Christmas décor, with a tree in the waiting area and garland along the walls with strings of lights setting a romantic vibe. A live band is playing Christmas songs in one corner of the place, and people are yelling to have a conversation over the music.

Okay, Kaplan. Get your head in the game.

It’s not agreatfirst-date location, but we can make it work. I’m outgoing enough that I can make pretty much anything work, right? Time to dial up the sunshine and dial back whatever that was in the car. I’ll attribute it to first-date nerves.

I hum along to “Winter Wonderland” as Max yells to the hostess.

“We have a reservation for two,” he says.

“Sorry, it’s so busy. We’re hosting a company Christmas party, so it’s a bit busier than normal. What name is the reservation under?” she asks.

“Max Cockshot,” he yells just as the song ends.

Oh dear.

Everyone turns and looks at him…or at least it feels that way.

Cockshot?

Wait a minute. Max Cockshot? As in…maximumCockshot?

Wow. His parents didn’t do him any favors. I’m scared to ask what his middle name is.

Kelly Cockshot. If this works out, I might have to keep my maiden name.

“I’m not seeing a reservation for Cockshot,” the hostess says. “Hmm, Cockshot, Cockshot, Cockshot.”

Oh my God. It takeseverythinginside me not to burst into laughter every time she says the name, and I can’t help but think what Austin would say about this whole situation.

No! Get him out of your head! You’re out with someone else. You’re moving on.

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