Page 37 of One Pucking Chance

Anna holds the paper receipt stapled to the side of one of the bags. “Um, Jaden… this isn’t our food.”

“What?” I step toward her.

“It’s an order for Charlene.” She looks at me, her lips pressed in a line.

I look at the receipt on another bag. “This one is for Alexa.”

She walks around the bar and takes the receipt for the third bag. “This one is for Cassie. Oh my gosh. They gave us other people’s orders.”

I grab the receipt from the fourth bag and am relieved when I see my name. “Well, at least, you’ll get your calamari because this one is mine. I knew this was too much food. I asked that server twice if all four of these bags were mine. She said they were.”

“That’s so Bethy.” Anna shakes her head with a smile. “Well, should we take them back?”

“No. I guarantee they’ve already remade the orders. Plus, all the food would be cold by the time we drove everything back, including your calamari.”

“But I don’t want Bethy to get in trouble.”

“If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll call and tell them it was my fault and offer to pay for the extra food and give glowing reviews of Bethy’s service, though if I’m being honest, I think she might be in the wrong line of work.”

“No, that’s just part of her charm.”

“If you say so.” I pull my phone out of my back pocket. “Feel free to start dishing up. The remote is on the side table by the couch. Let me make this call real quick. I’m worried about this Bethy chick you love so much.”

“Okay.” She nods, pleased.

A few minutes later, I join Anna on the couch.

“All good?” she asks.

“All good. Bethy lives to serve calamari another day.”

“Good. Thanks for doing that.”

“No problem.” I take a seat on the sofa, plate of food in hand. “How is everything?” I nod toward Anna’s plate.

“Delicious.” She plops a calamari ring in her mouth. “What do you think aboutModern Family?”

I look at the TV. “I’ve never seen it.”

“It’s such a feel-good show,” she says. “My dad was a guest star on season one, and I got to hang out on set. Everyone was so nice. It’s just one of those shows that makes you happy when you watch it. It’s funny, and it always has a great message.”

“Sure. Works for me.” I take a bite of my lasagna.

It’s surprising how comfortable I feel with Anna already. Two weeks ago, she wasn’t even real to me, just merely an obsession. Now we’re hanging out in my living room, laughing at a sitcom and eating pasta. Even with the orchestrated kiss earlier, this is the most real I’ve ever felt on a date.

Let’s face it, dating has always been a precursor to the desired event. Both my date and I have always been clear on where or how the night would end. I’ve never truly wanted to get to know a woman I’ve been with until now. I’ve never hoped for more until now. Anna has changed my brain chemistry completely. With her, I feel… different. I want things I’ve never wanted before. Even when staged, my time with Anna is better than any moment I’ve ever spent with another woman.

I see it. I feel it. And as much as we say it is—our connection isn’t fake. I have to believe that someday—hopefully soon—Anna will see it, too.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

ANNALISE

Irealize I might be lonely. If I’m honest, the night should’ve ended after the photos from the tipped-off paparazzi were taken. There’s no reason to be here. The point of the dates is to keep up with the facade that we’re together. We did that.

Snuggled up on the sofa with Jaden isn’t propelling any story. There are no witnesses or photographic evidence. It’s just us. I’m not even sure how I ended up in this position. My back against Jaden’s front, our legs stretched out across the sofa. His arms are wrapped around my middle. We’ve talked about our lives, laughed at the show, and have remained in silence tangled up in one another’s arms.

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