Page 32 of The Wingman

“Darcy, this is what people do when they take someone out on Valentine’s Day.”

“I don’t think they do.” I estimate a price. Add 20 percent for Valentine’s Day. Multiply by eight. “They definitely don’t dothis.”

He shrugs. “This is what you deserve, and I wanted to make it special for you.”

My heart flip-flops in my chest. “It alreadyis.”

“It’s a first for me, too,” he admits with a boyish, rueful smile. “I’ve never bought someone flowers.”

I like that too much. “I’m honored.”

We smile at each other, and his scent washes over me. God, he smells good. Warm and masculine, clean and fresh from his shower. Arousal twinges between my legs.

It’s the week of my cycle where I’m supremely horny, and it’s the hormones clouding my thoughts, I tell myself. I’m not going to get turned on by the way my best friend smells.

I’m not going to do something stupid and ruin everything.

I arch an eyebrow at him. “I’m starting to question your judgment when it comes to dating, though.”

He laughs a little, but he steps into my space. I freeze as he reaches up to touch my earrings, inspecting them. The way he focuses on them, frowns and narrows his eyes, makes my breath hitch. Or maybe it’s the brush of his fingers against my neck as he untangles my hair from them.

He steps back abruptly.

“Pretty,” he says, giving me a quick, tight smile, and I don’t know whether he’s talking about the earrings or me.

The earrings. Probably the earrings.

“Shall we go?” I sound breathless.

He nods, eyes still on me, and my heart does a funny, excited flip.

A warning bell rings in my head, and I wonder if this date was a bad idea.

CHAPTER 15

DARCY

“This restaurant feels like a fairy garden,”I tell Hayden, leaning in and scanning the space.

It’s one of the most popular restaurants in Vancouver, with tropical flowers and lush greenery spilling from the ceilings, cozy fireplaces, and warm, romantic lighting splashing a golden glow across the room. In the corner, a band plays ambient music for the sea of tables for two.

Hayden gives me a quick smile. “Glad you like it.”

There’s a strong couple energy in here, I notice. A lot of hand-holding, a lot of googly heart eyes, and a few people sitting on the same side of the booth.

One couple is actually feeding each other.

I snort, glancing over at Hayden to get his reaction, but his gaze is on the wine list. Under the table, his knee bounces a fast rhythm. I frown at him.

“Are you okay?”

He jerks his gaze up. “Yeah? Why?”

Reflexively, I set my hand on his knee. I skim my hand over the smooth fabric to calm him, but his whole body jolts, and he knocks his water glass over, soaking the white tablecloth.

“Shit.” He scrambles for his napkin to mop it up. “Sorry.”

I stare at him in amused confusion. I’ve never seen him like this. “What isupwith you tonight? You’re supposed to be the cool, confident one. I’m the awkward dork.”

---