Page 47 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
“No.I’m bloated and tired.”
I bark out a laugh.That was honesty I definitely didn’t anticipate.I admit to being a touch disappointed, but I try to shove that feeling aside.
Max smiles faintly at my amusement.“You think about it.Text me this week.I’ll give you my number—”
“I’ll go out with you,” I say.“Next Saturday, if that works?”
“It does.”His smile broadens, and I can’t help feeling pleased that I was the cause of it.
“But I have one condition.Our parentscannotknow about this.Not until we’re beyond a few dates, okay?If they ask, just say you’re not sure what’s happening.I want to do this without family pressure.”
He nods.“That’s fair.”
I take out my phone, and he dictates his number.
“Don’t forget this.”He hands me the shark umbrella.
I stow it in my purse, then lean forward to kiss him on the lips.It’s different from our first kiss, by that small lake up north, the kiss that made me excited for our single night together.I know him better now, and there’s a deeper sort of desire in this kiss, in the way his mouth coaxes a moan out of me.It feels like something has shifted between us.He tastes of strawberries and, somehow, of possibilities.
When he pulls back and brushes a lock of hair back from my face, it takes me a moment to remember where I am.
“Good night,” he says.“See you soon.”
I feel a little giddy as I exit the vehicle.I wave at him once I’m inside the lobby, and he lifts a hand before driving away.
I’m still smiling when I reach my apartment.
Me:Is Saturday still good for you?
Max:Yes.Would you like to come over for dinner?I can cook us something.Or I can take you out?
He sent that message last night.I should reply, but I still haven’t decided what I’d prefer.I read his text over and over as I bite into my sandwich.
“Hey.”Iris joins me in the break room.“What’s up?”
“For a first date, do you think I should go to his place and let him cook for me, or go out to a restaurant?”
“You’re going on a date?”she asks incredulously.
“Sure, why not?”
“Because you never do this.You haven’t been on a date in the entire time I’ve known you.Who is it?”
“Just some guy I met at the wedding on Saturday.”
I don’t tell her it’s Max.It feels awkward to admit that.If, by some miracle, this works out, I’ll tell her, but not yet.
“Go to the restaurant,” she says.“Meet him there, rather than having him pick you up.Safety first.”
“I trust him.I know him…better than you think.”
“I thought you just met him?”
“That wasn’t the first time.”
She gives me a quizzical look, but I ignore it and stare at my phone.I’m leaning toward going to Max’s apartment.I’m curious to see it, and it’ll also be convenient for sex.Plus, there’s something irresistible about a guy cooking for me—it’s been a long time since that happened.
Me:Your place
