Page 73 of Reputation
When he didn’t answer, she swallowed, moving to step past him.She stopped at his side, making him turn his head to look at her.Her eyes traveled down his face to his lips.She blinked, a bitter part of her soul rising with the residue of her lipstick on his mouth.It made her feel like it was her claim on him.
Eavie reached up, her thumb swiping against his full lower lip.Anger and jealousy that he was here with someone else had her speaking before she could stop herself.“You should probably clean that off.It’s not obnoxious enough to behershade,” she said bitterly.
Dropping her hand, Eavie stepped past, pulling the door open.With discontent, she left without saying anything more.She went into the ladies’ room, shutting herself in a stall.She sat down heavily on the toilet, hands covering her eyes.She squeezed them shut, refusing to let her tears of frustration, of disappointment and longing, slip free.
Sitting up, she shook out her hands as if she could shake off the whole incident.She was still on a date and needed to get back.She should be livid at what he’d done, but she couldn’t bring herself to be mad at him.He’d looked so earnest as he’d apologized that all she felt was sorry—for their situation and because she couldn’t make him feel better.
Grabbing a piece of toilet paper, she made her way to the vanity, dabbing at the corner of her eyes to make sure no tears had escaped and marked a path through her mascara.She quickly touched up her lipstick, rolled her shoulders back, and put her game face on.
Jax or not, Austin was a nice guy, and he didn’t deserve to get caught up in any of this, didn’t deserve to be treated like this.She was determined to finish her date the way she started it.She could obsess over what had just happened later, but right now, she was going to continue to keep an open mind about her date.
She knew it seemed silly, but no matter what, things with Jax were just too complicated and she needed to move past it.
Returning to the table a few moments later, she saw their dessert had been brought.She gave Austin a warm smile, hoping he wouldn’t see anything amiss.Ignoring the knowledge that Jax was sitting somewhere in the same restaurant, she took a bite of her chocolate and raspberry cheesecake as Austin poured the last of the wine into each of their glasses, which she sipped on as she listened to him tell her a story of a night out in London from a few weeks ago.
“Suffice to say, I may spend a lot of time in London, but I can’t drink like the Brits can,” he said with a chuckle.
Eavie laughed.“So, when do you leave for your next trip?”she asked when there was a lull in their conversation.
“I have one planned for next week, but I would love to see you again when I get back.”
“I would like that,” she said.“Just call me when you get back, and we’ll plan something.”
He nodded and said, “I will.”
After Austin settled the bill with the server, he stood and offered her his hand.She took it as she stood and turned toward the entrance.
As they made their way between the rows of tables, Austin laid his hand on her lower back, and she felt a light, warm current spread over her skin.She didn’t get a chance to enjoy it though, since it was quickly replaced by the tiny sparks that snaked over her skin whenever Jax looked at her.
Drawing in a sharp breath, she glanced to her right and spotted Jax tucked into a booth in the back corner, his date nestled close to his side.While his arm was slung along the back of the booth, he wasn’t looking at the blonde beside him.Instead, he stared directly at Eavie, their eyes connecting the second she turned her head.
She gave him a small, polite nod before turning back around.
After exiting the front doors, they stopped on the sidewalk.“Can I give you a ride home?”Austin asked, handing his ticket to the valet.
“No, thank you,” she said.Again, she didn’t let men drive her home on a first date.While dinner had been pleasant and he seemed like a good guy, it was self-defense 101.“I’ll just take a ride share.”
He nodded.“Let me call you one, at least.”
She smiled.“That’s okay,” she said.
It was very kind of him to offer, but if he did that, he would have her address.These were the things single women had to consider to keep themselves safe.
When he gave her a confused look, she simply said, “It’s too early for you to have my address.”
He nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes.He had a sister, so she hoped he respected her need for security.He turned to the valet and asked him to call her a cab.
A few minutes later, both her cab and his car pulled up to the curb.“I’ll text you tomorrow,” he said, opening the back passenger door.
“Okay,” she said, stopping just shy of the curb.
They stood looking at each other for a heartbeat, standing only a foot apart.Just when Eavie was about to step off the curb, he leaned in slowly.She knew he wanted to kiss her, but he was giving her time to turn her cheek or deny him altogether.Instead, she moved the rest of the way to meet him, their lips connecting.
He kissed her lightly, staying only a few heartbeats, but it was enough for her to feel…nothing.There were no crazy sparks of electricity, and she didn’t feel intense desire pulse through her.
Disappointed, she pulled back.“Thanks again for tonight.I’ll talk to you soon,” she said before sliding into the back seat.He closed the door for her, but instead of watching him as the cab pulled away, Eavie found her eyes drawn to the second floor windows of the restaurant, her mind on the one man she actually wanted.
Chapter Twenty Eight
