Page 44 of Here's to Tomorrow

“Good point.” He sweeps his arm dramatically over the room. “Welcome. This is my home away from mother’s. I know it’s not much, but it’s getting me by until the repairs on the house get done.”

“It’s cute. It fits you.”

He clutches his chest. “Cute? You mean manly. Thatmustbe what you mean. We’re pretending you said manly.”

I laugh. “Yes, manly indeed.”

Suddenly, a medium-sized black Lab comes barreling out of what I assume is the bedroom. The dog lets out one solid bark and stands itself up on my legs, begging to be pet.

“Rocky, down!”

I reach out and ruffle the hair behind the dog’s ears. “It’s okay, Hudson. Rocky’s just curious about the hot chick in your apartment. He’s not used to you bringing home such attractive dates,” I say, shooting Hudson a look, just asking him to tell me differently.

That stupid sexy smirk takes over his face again. “He’s definitely not.”

“Good answer.” I continue to get to know Rocky while Hudson heads into the kitchen.

“You want something to drink, Rae? I have Dr. Pepper, tea, apple juice, beer—no root—and water.”

As weird as I think it is for a grown, single man to have apple juice, I ask for it anyway. “Apple juice is fine.”

“Coming right up,” he says happily.

A minute later, he brings the cup ofjuice into the living room, taking a seat on the couch. I stand up from petting Rocky and sit down next to him.

“Rae, I have a confession to make.”

My face drops.Oh crap, here it comes. He’s married or some shit. I knew it was too good to be true!

“I can’t cook.”

I don’t remember the last time I had such an urge to punch someone, other than Clarissa on her bitchy days. I take a deep breath, exhaling sharply, and do something I don’t often manage to do: I think before I speak.

Now, I’m going to be candid here. Just because I think before I speak does not mean that whatever comes out of my mouth is going to be some profound, eloquent shit. More often than not, it won’t be. That’s not who I am, and I’m mostly okay with that.

“Asshat!” I shriek as thatstupidsexy smirk covers his face again. “You had me worried for a minute. I thought you were going to tell me you were married or something, which would be rude since I totally proposed to you the other night, and since this is adate.”

I can tell he’s trying to hold in the laughter caused by my outburst. “Sorry, no, I’m not married. I think you’d secretly enjoy the sneaking around, though.”

“No way.”

“Anyway, I called some pizzas in at about five ’til. I have pepperoni, sausage, and black olives on one and plain cheese on the other. I wasn’t sure what you like.”

“I hate pizza,” I tell him with a straight face. “No, fuck. I can’t even say that in a joking manner. It feels wrong. Ilovepizza. I could live off it.”

“Thank God. This date was about to be over as quick as it began.”

“Glad I saved it.” I wink. “So, other than us devouring two pizzas—because I fully plan on having at least five pieces to myself—what did you have in mind for tonight?”

“Movie?”

“Ah, keeping it simple and classy. I can dig it. What movie?”

He eyes me warily. “Well, I was hoping to let you pick. That way, if you pick something horrible, I can find an excuse to get you to leave before the pizza arrives so there’s more for me while I drown my sorrows over what could have been.”

“I can see ending this date quickly is a thing for you. You that scared?”

“Nervous is more like it. I mean, what if you suck, Rae?”

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