Page 127 of Counter Bet

I lean my head against the headrest. “You should be proud. It’s a nice car.”

Diplomatic answer. It doesn’t feel right to point out that I’ve been around expensive cars my whole life.

Landon checks the mirrors. “So, tell me about yourself. What did you do in high school?”

Please, any question but that.

I tug down the hem of my dress to cover more of my bare thighs. “There’s not a lot to tell. I have a little sister, as you already know. I’ve always loved to paint and was a cheerleader in high school.”

Landon looks me over before focusing his attention back on the road, a smile hovering on his lips. “A cheerleader? I can see it. Let me guess—you dated the quarterback?” He glances at me when I don’t reply and winces. “You did…”

I cringe. “It’s cliché, isn’t it?”

Landon sucks his lips between his teeth to suppress a laugh. “Maybe a little. I’m no better. I played lacrosse in high school. We didn’t have cheerleaders like the football team,”—he looks at me pointedly—“but I did date a lot.”

“A lot?” I chuckle, and it soon turns into a full-on belly laugh when he cringes.

“That didn’t come out right.”

Amused, I pat him on the shoulder as he rubs the back of his neck. “It’s okay. I don’t judge.”

“What made you apply for college over in this part of the country?”

So many questions.

I stare out of the passenger window at the streetlights passing by in a blur. “I needed a change.”

I feel his eyes on me, but he makes no further comment, and we soon pull into the parking lot. The restaurant looks quaint from the outside, with fairy lights lining the roof, reminding me of Christmas back home and a beautiful view of the beach behind it.

Landon opens the door to the restaurant and guides me through with a hand on my lower back. The mouthwatering smell hits me first. Pizza. Bolognese. Lasagna. It’s a small restaurant with a homely feel to it, rather than lavish.

I run my eyes over pictures of Italy decorating the walls as we weave between candlelit tables. The air is alive with Italian music and the hum of muted conversation.

We find a table toward the back, situated next to a window overlooking the beach.

It’s perfect.

I watch the waves lap at the beach with a content smile on my lips.

“You like the view?” Landon asks, placing the menu back down.

“It’s beautiful.”

His eyes warm my skin. I try not to fidget under the intensity of it.

His throat bobs. He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his big one. “You look stunning tonight.”

My skin erupts in goosebumps when he begins tracing his fingers over my wrist. I stare into his intense green eyes, wondering what his hand would feel like touching other parts of my body.

My cheeks warm at the thought.

“Welcome to Alfredos. Are you ready to order?”

My spine stiffens.

That voice.

I squeeze my eyes shut. My hand trembles in Landon’s warm palm.

---