Page 27 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

“Yes, and you too.” Maya managed an audible response, she hoped.

“Shall we grab a table?” Pierce lifted the drinks from the bar and followed Maya to a table for two.

They gabbled some small talk for a bit, then as the wine relaxed her, Maya couldn’t help but blurt out, “You don’t know how relieved I am. You look so much better in the flesh. Your photos don’t do you justice.”

“I could say the same about you.” He smiled. He had an incredible smile, and blue-grey eyes she could get lost in. Wow, she fancied this man. She’d worried that after all the flirty text messages, it would fall flat when she saw him, but if anything, the opposite was true. She was excited, to the point where her back tingled and heat pooled in her lower abdomen. She could feel her cheeks blushing.

They talked more about themselves, discussing work, life and how they were finding online dating.

“I have a confession to make,” Pierce said, putting his pint down. He leaned closer to Maya as he spoke, his elbows on the table. “I’m not the age I stated on my profile.”

“How old are you then?” Maya frowned, scrutinising his face carefully.

“I’m thirty-nine, not thirty-six.”

“Oh. Why lie?”

“I was finding a lot of ‘older’ women were contacting me that I wasn’t attracted to, and some younger ones wouldn’t give me the time of day.”

“Really?”

“Yes, so a friend suggested I tweak my age.”

“And it worked?”

“Yes, it did.”

Maya couldn’t help thinking that if they hit it off, their relationship had started on a lie.But it was only the first date.

They were getting along so well that when Maya’s stomach grumbled for dinner, Pierce agreed they should order something from the bar.

After eating, a sofa became free, so they moved over to it when Pierce went to get more drinks. It was well worn but comfortable, but they seemed to have moved closer to one another, their knees touching. Before she knew it, Pierce was kissing her — gently on the lips, then his tongue found hers. He was an impressive kisser, and was stroking his thumb along her arm. Maya became lost in the sensation.

The bell rang for last orders. She couldn’t believe how long they’d spent in each other’s company with no awkwardness. The two of them had really clicked.

“So… Did you want to do this again?” Maya really didn’t want the night to end.

“Yes, I would,” Pierce said. He glanced at his watch. “I think I should order you a taxi.” He made a call, and the taxi company said ten minutes, so they had time to finish their conversation. Pierce stood up, helped Maya on with her jacket, and followed her out of the pub, where a taxi was waiting.

“What about you?” Maya asked as she climbed in.

“I’ll walk. Text me when you get home.”

“I will.”

As Maya relaxed into the back seat of the taxi, she couldn’t believe how wonderful her date with Pierce had been. She bubbled with excitement. Could this be the start of something new?

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