Page 31 of More Than a Spark

“Hello.” His cheeks reddened and he dipped his head.

I grabbed his hand and strolled next to him to the walkway, the tall palm trees rising up between the squarish buildings of the outdoor mall. It was hot as hell outside, but I didn’t care. I was with Milo, and we were going on our first date.

As we approached the glass doors of the rounded, clay-colored building, I paused. It didn’t feel weird holding hands with him in public. I hadn’t noticed anyone looking at us funny. Not like I’d expect it around here, but you never knew. I opened the door and waved Milo inside. “After you.”

“Thank you.” He ducked inside and stopped at a black hostess stand.

I scanned the restaurant, the big, round industrial pendant lamps hanging from the ceiling and the dark wooden tables littering the concrete floor. Where should we sit? I stepped to the hostess. “Do you have a table that’s a little more private?”

She flicked her gaze from me to Milo and back again. “Sure, follow me.” She led us to a booth tucked back into a corner. “How’s this?”

“Perfect.” I slid into one side of the booth, then patted the black vinyl cushion next to me. “Sit next to me?”

“Yeah.” With a shy smile, Milo glided in beside me.

The hostess set our menus on the table. “Your server will be with you shortly.” She walked off.

Milo picked up his menu. “So.”

“So.” I bumped his shoulder. “What are we drinking tonight?” I perused my menu. Maybe a drink would help us both calm down a little bit.

He tapped his lips. “I’m getting a margarita.”

I busted out a laugh, Tate’s words echoing in my mind,maybe margaritas make you queer.

Knitting his brows, Milo cut his gaze to mine. “What, why is that so funny?”

“Oh…” I blew out a breath. There was so much to tell Milo now. “So, this guy I hooked up with?—”

“Tate?” Milo twisted his lips. “Did you like him?”

“I guess so.” I set my menu down. “But not like this.” I pointed between us. “Not nearly as much as I like you.” My chest bloomed with warmth.

“Good.” Milo shimmied in his seat. “Go on.”

“The night we hooked up, we were drinking margaritas. We had a conversation about it before I moved down here, and he made a joke about margaritas making me queer and...” My eyes widened. Shit, Tate had foretold this whole thing. How had I not realized it? “Tate uh, he warned me about hooking up with you.”

“Warned you?” Milo cocked his head and placed his hand on my thigh. “Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know if it was a warning, really, but he wanted me to tell you I was queer in case…well, before something happened between us.” I covered his hand with my own on my thigh. “I think he thought we might get drunk together and I would try something without telling you first.”

“Well, that didn’t happen, now, did it?” He gave me a warm grin. “I wouldn’t have minded it.” He hooked a brow. “I’d have been surprised as fuck, but we’d have figured it out. We’re good like that. I mean, look at us now?”

“Yeah, look at us now.” I lifted my chin, my gaze snagging a female server walking toward us.

We ordered our margaritas, and I ordered the fish and chips while Milo ordered the mac and cheese, then the server left.

“Let’s share our food. I want to try some of your mac and cheese.” I folded my hands on the table. This would be fun, like a proper date.

“Sure.” Milo unwrapped his napkin from his silverware, then set it in his lap. “Tell me more about this Tate.”

“I’m not sure what else there is to tell.” I studied him. He wasn’t worried about Tate, was he? “We became friends at the station. We started out on the same team, then he switched up his shift and we stayed friends.” I looked out across the restaurant. What would Milo want to know?

“But how did you figure out you were attracted to him that way?” Milo faced me, turning slightly in the booth.

The server set our drinks down and left.

I stirred my margarita with the straw, thinking. “I don’t know. He’s a good looking guy, I mean even a straight man would notice that about him.” I gauged Milo’s reaction. I didn’t want to say something stupid.

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