Page 39 of Clean Out of Luck

Aria is a small Italian restaurant close to The Serendipity. It could have been biking distance, but jumping in the car with Wade was much faster and I didn’t want to be late. It won’t be a big deal to walk home afterward, though.

I’ve only been to this restaurant once before and really enjoyed it. It shows good taste on Peyton’s part that he chose it for our first date.

Instrumental music is playing softly in the background. Everyone is talking in regular tones, not like a bar and grill where you have to shout to be heard. The tables are covered in sparkling white tablecloths.

I feel underdressed sitting here in my sundress—like maybe I should have worn something more formal to fit with the restaurant’s style.

Peyton smiles nervously at me. He’s Lilly’s cousin whom she mentioned the other night on the rooftop. A couple of days later, she arranged a date, and he chose Aria.

“Hi,” he says in a shaky voice.

“Hi.” I smile back. He’s cute. Not the kind of looks you notice right away, but that might have more to do with his unassuming presence. A cute face and dimples when he smiles shyly.

“Thanks for coming to dinner with me,” he says as he slowly pushes the breadbasket across the table toward me. “Lilly said you’re very busy and I was lucky you have time to come out with me.”

I laugh at that. “Lilly likes to tease.”

Peyton smiles at that. “Yes, she does. In fact, she’ll probably be calling you after this date. She told me she would—to make sure you had a good time.”

As far as dates go, this one ends up being pleasant. He’s nice, and I feel comfortable with him.

So comfortable, in fact, that I let my mind wander just a little too much. I spend far too much time thinking about Wade and the events that led me here. All ten minutes of them. Which means I get to replay them over and over.

I squeeze my eyes shut as I remember holding his hand in the car and the way I clutched it in mine.Gah. Talk about embarrassing! He was trying to be reassuring, and I was busy hanging onto it like it was the last time I’d get to hold a man’s hand.

“Are you okay?” Peyton asks.

I snap my eyes open. “Yes! Of course. Just my eyes…” I trail off because I have no idea what my excuse is.

He nods in understanding. “Sometimes at the end of the day, my eyes bother me too. Maybe we should both get appointments for the eye doctor soon,” he teases.

He’s so sweet and understanding. Iwantthere to be a connection between us. I want to feel some attraction with this guy.

Instead, my stinkin’ brain is focusing on the man who drove me here.

We finish our date, and I walk out of the building next to Peyton. He stops on the sidewalk next to a black car. He glances down at his phone. “Lilly already texted to ask if you’re having fun.”

I laugh at that. “She’s probably more worried aboutyouhaving a good time. She knows I’m a boring date.”

He shakes his head. “No, definitely not.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “I guess this is good night, then?”

Goodbyes are always awkward. Do I shake his hand? Say thanks for the date? Kiss his cheek? Give him a hug?

I haven’t kissed anyone goodnight in a long time. Forget goodnight kisses; I haven’t kissed anyone at all in a long time.

Which is sad. I’m twenty-five. This should be the prime kissing time of my life. Instead, I’m someone who’s never been in a relationship that’s lasted longer than seven weeks and hasn’t kissed anyone in almost a year.

Peyton leans toward me. “Would…” He swallows audibly. “Would it be okay to kiss you goodnight?”

He’s so sweet and respectful, asking before making a move. I smile at him. “Yes, of course.”

Of course?Did that sound weird? It probably did.

Peyton smiles and takes a hesitant step toward me. I keep my hands at my sides as he reaches for me.

He closes his eyes and puckers his lips leaning toward me. I tip my head so that he’ll actually find my lips, but before we make contact, a car engine revs and a horn honks.

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