Page 66 of Sunflower Persona
I’ve never planned a date before—at least one that matters. In the past, taking a woman out was a precursor to taking her home. There was no meaning behind it. Every time was the same: overpriced drinks at a mid-range bar that was just swanky enough to be impressive, followed by no-strings-attached sex. It was a simple formula that worked, but I’m not looking for no strings with Yellow. Fuck, I want her to wrap me in all her strings. What’s been brewing between us isn’t some fling, and it sure as hell isn’t a one-night stand. I don’t know what the future looks like, but I want her to be in it.
“Stop freaking out. We will help you figure it out,” Morgan promises, interrupting my impending spiral.
“What he said,” Nathan adds. “This isn’t a normal awkward first date either. You and Kori already know each other, so this will be a piece of cake.”
“But don’t treat it like you’re hanging out with a friend. Knowing her isn’t an excuse to skimp out on making her feel special. You need to show her you are serious about taking this to the next level, and that this is more than a friends thing.”
“How do I do that?”
“Spoil her. Touch her often and casually. Brush up against her, hold her hand, put an arm around her.” Nathan answers first, but Morgan is quick to offer his two cents as soon as he stops speaking.
Goddamn, it’s like the two of them share the same brain cell sometimes.
“Give her your undivided attention, and use the time to get to know her.”
“Bring her something—probably flowers—and take her out to eat somewhere nice. Show her you are putting effort in.”
“All right, that seems easy enough,” I cut in before Morgan can add to the growing list.
As helpful as they’re trying to be, every addition makes my head spin a little more. Dinner and flowers are something I can handle—touching too—but if I let myself get bogged down in the rest, I won’t be able to give her the attention she deserves. My nerves are going to be fried enough as is.
“Thank you for the input,” I tell my friends, “but I’ve got to get ready for my class. The kids are going to start trickling in any minute.”
“I’ll send you a list of some of my favorite date spots,” Nathan says as I start to walk away.
My phone starts buzzing before I make it to the locker room. My friend works fast. The list is more than a few suggestions, and I don’t recognize half the restaurants on it. Why would I? Eating out isn’t a luxury I can often afford. I click on one of the links he sent and damn near have a heart attack when I see the prices.
Forty-eight dollars for an entrée? It’s highway robbery. Kori is worth it, though. Fuck, she’d be worth something four times this amount.
Fuck it. I’ll put it on my credit card. What’s another hundred dollars of debt when the existing total is more than I’ll ever be able to pay off. Later tonight, I’ll call and make a reservation, and then all I can do is wait impatiently for Sunday to come. With any luck, my nerves won’t eat me alive before then.
Chapter 21
Kori
Gage cleans up good.
Not that he doesn’t look good normally, or that “cleaned up” is much different from his normal “not gym” vibe. His dark-wash jeans are missing the wear and tear I’m used to and hug his toned thighs like a glove. I can appreciate a man who doesn’t skip leg day. He’s exchanged his black T-shirt for a button-up that strains against the barrel of his chest. The only thing that’s the same is the well-worn black leather combat boots. I like them—they add a hint of suitable edginess to the otherwise plain look.
I’m not sure he would be Gage without that glimmer of danger that drew me to him in the first place.
Although he doesn’t look dangerous now, standing stiff in the dorm’s lobby with a bouquet of bright sunflowers in his hand. He tugs at the collar of his shirt like it’s a snake constricting his neck and looks around the room in darting sweeps. His eyes freeze when they see me standing by the desk, watching him like a creep, and the tension that twists his face dissipates, relaxing back into the stony expression I’ve come to realize is his neutral state. He doesn’t smile, not fully, but the corner of his lipstwitches as he takes me in. His eyes, on the other hand, shine. I don’t knowwhatthey are trying to convey, but the heat in them sends a shiver down my spine regardless.
My skirt brushes against my thighs as I bound over to him in a few bouncy steps. He tracks my every movement, and the desire to kiss him is almost unbearable, but I restrain myself. I don’t know how he feels about PDA.
“I got you these.” He shoves the flowers into my hand in lieu of a greeting and tucks his hands into his pockets.
“Thanks. Should I go put them upstairs or…”
“You can leave them in my car if you want. Or go upstairs. Fuck, I didn’t think this through. They probably need water or something.” He rubs the back of his neck as he rambles.
“I love them. Now hold on, I’ll be right back.”
I practically run up the stairs to my room and put the flowers in the first vase-like object I can find. No one has ever bought me flowers before, so I’ve never had a reason to buy an actual vase. Who needs a vase, anyway? They are a conspiracy by Big Glass to boost their profits. Any container that holds water should work just fine to keep some flowers alive. Right?
With the bouquet tucked in the reusable water bottle my mom bought for me that I never actually remember to take to class, I head back down to Gage. He would get a kick out of my choice in container, and probably tell me I need to drink more water—again.
My date hasn’t moved from where I left him and looks even more out of place than before, which is a feat. His awkwardness is endearing. I love that he is willing to put himself in an uncomfortable position for me.
