Page 40 of Clichés & Curses

And that was strike three.

I couldn’t help but internally let out a sigh.

I like to think of myself as being open to the idea of love by going on dates, but sadly my luck with them had always been poor. It wasn’t that the date was bad or anything, I would even go on to say that I never really had a bad date before. The bad luck stemmed from me not hitting it off with the person I was on the date with.

I knew that going on dates—specifically the first date—was to get to know someone, but I always had this list of strikes going off in the back of my mind, whenever I found something we were incompatible about. My personal rule was this: I wouldn’t go on a second date if there had been three strikes on the first date, which meant I had only gone on first dates all my life.

Unfortunately, Aiden would also be added to my list of guys I went out with, who only made it as far as the first date.

We continued eating our meal, occasionally bringing up random questions to ask the other person.

‘Sooo,’ Aiden trailed off, once he finished his mashed potatoes.

‘Soo,’ I repeated.

‘This was fun.’

‘It was.’ I nodded.

‘Though I’m sensing abutin there somewhere.’

I gave him a forced smile. ‘I had a great timebut—’

Aiden let out a slight wince once he heard that forsaken word.

‘I did have a great time and you’re a nice guy, but I don’t think things are going to work out between us,’ I finally said.

He just gave me a forced nod, his lips sealed tight.

‘But thank you for taking me out tonight. I appreciate it after the week that we had.’

‘You’re welcome,’ Aiden said, a small smile on his face. ‘We’re still friends though, right?’

‘Definitely.’ I gave him a smile in return.

‘I guess that’s pretty much the end of our date for tonight. Let me just get the check and then I’ll drive you home.’ He got out of his seat and went to the cashier to pay for the meal.

While he was gone, I couldn’t help but glance at the bar across the street. There was an urge in me that seemed like it wanted me to go and check it out, and I was just not ready for the night to be over. I wasn’t twenty-one yet, so I wasn’t sure if I would be allowed inside if they decided to ask for my ID at the entrance.

Aiden came back minutes later. ‘Let’s go.’

‘I think I’ll just stay here for a bit,’ I blurted out, unsure of why I said it.

His eyebrows narrowed in confusion. ‘Are you sure?’

‘I’m sure,’ I confirmed, finally making up my mind. I thought about telling him the truth about wanting to check out the bar across the street, but I didn’t want him to feel like he had to agree because of me, especially since he said karaoke bars weren’t really his thing.

‘I think Nina might want to come and check this place out.’ I mean I wastechnicallytelling the truth. I was pretty sure Nina would have loved to see this diner, but it just won’t be tonight.

From the look on his face, Aiden still looked unsure about leaving me behind.

‘I’ll be fine,’ I reassured him. ‘I’ll see you when I see you.’

Seeming satisfied with my reply, he gave me a hug and waved me goodbye before he went his way.

I let out a sigh as I watched him head for his car.

‘Date didn’t go so well?’ I heard someone say. I looked to see who it was and found it was Tracy, the waitress.

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