Page 61 of Petals and Plot Twists
That sounds like very important work.
Sophie
I swear, he hasn’t asked me a single question all night long. We have, however, talked about the nutritional content of everything on his plate and discussed how my risk of cardiovascular disease is ten times higher than it would be if I consumed less sugar.
Peter
Sounds like a winner.
Sophie
Sigh. This date can’t be over fast enough.
Peter
Did you drive yourself there?
Sophie
Yes—well, I walked.
Peter
Then leave.
Sophie
But we just finished eating. We haven’t even had dessert.
Peter
You really think that guy is going to eat dessert?
Sophie
Ha. True. But I don’t want to be rude.
Peter
He’s been rude all night long. Cut your losses. Skip dessert and come home. I’ll make you something sweet.
Warmth spreads through my chest at Peter’s offer. I would much rather have dessert with him than dessert with Chad. Rather, dessert at Ariawhile Chad watches.And Peter is right. Chadisbeing rude. Not overtly. But he’s been talking about himself for over an hour.
I don’t have to stay for this.
I hurry back to the table, grabbing our waiter on my way. I hand him my credit card, letting him know I’ll pay for the entire meal, then make my way back to Chad. I don’t sit, instead sliding my chair all the way under the table and standing behind it.
Chad frowns. “What’s wrong?”
“Actually, I just spoke with a friend, and I need to go.”
“Oh,” he says. “I hope everything is okay?”
“More than okay,” I say. “I just have somewhere else I need to be.”
The waiter returns and hands me my card and the receipt. I quickly add a tip and my signature, then smile at Chad one more time. “Thanks for the evening, Chad. Dinner was on me, but I don’t think we should see each other again.”
He leans back in his chair. “It was all the nutrition talk, wasn’t it?”
