Page 3 of Time Bomb

“You’re remodeling?” He scoffs like it’s unbelievable.

I place my hand over the wine glass as the waiter stops by to refill it. “Yes, I enjoy the physical labor. It keeps my mind occupied.” I regret the words as soon as I say them.

“I can certainly think of other more enjoyable ways to get physical.” He winks, and internally, I roll my eyes.

Baxter is a pig.

I can’t decide if he’s putting on a show or if he’s truly this disgusting.

Either way, I’m unimpressed.

I’m not one who likes conflict, but I can’t allow him to keep speaking to me so grotesquely. “Look, Baxter, I appreciate that you are a flirt; however, your ‘jokes’ and innuendos are not to my taste. Perhaps we should call it a night.”

He appears shocked that I’m not flattered by his remarks before his face slides into one of passivity. “I’m sorry, Ophelia, it’s a bad habit I’ve been trying to rectify. I’d really like to continue with the night. Maybe we could start over?”

Every instinct in me is saying walk away…red alert…he’s a jerk, but he does look remorseful, and I’ve never been intentionally rude in my life. “Sure, fresh start.”

Taking in a few measured breaths, I attempt to relax as we look over the menu. “Have you eaten here before?” He glances up at me.

Garland’s is a cute hybrid restaurant. Fancy in the back, café in the front. “A few times, with my best friend and her husband.”

“What’s good?” His eyes wander to a passing group of young women, and it’s then I realize this is a waste of my time. But I hold out for now.

“I personally love their chicken ranch salad with skewered shrimp.” It’s my favorite item on their menu, but we’ve never gone wrong with anything here.

“Rabbit food? Pass.” And there’s the attitude again.

Fortunately, my phone beeps before I’m able to respond to his remark. “Excuse me.” I give a polite smile as I open the message from Laken.

Laken: Is it a 911 yet? Do I need to come in guns blazing? Well, Hale would.

I bite my tongue to hide my delight.

Ophelia: It’s a 5-alarm blaze at this point.

Laken: Shoot. I had high hopes for this one.

Ophelia: Where are you finding these guys?

I don’t know how she’s done it, but Laken has managed to find the worst guys I’ve ever met.

“Everything alright?” I glance up at Baxter’s question and give him a reflexive nod before putting my phone away.

“Yes, just my friend checking in on me. She knows I have an early morning tomorrow and wanted to see if I needed help.” The lie falls easily off my tongue.

“I see.” Can this be over now? I shouldn’t have given him the second chance. I need to listen to myself more.

After an hour of eating, making small talk, and avoiding any remotely personal topics, we walk out of the restaurant, where Baxter actually paid. He didn’t hesitate to take the bill from our server and told me immediately to put my wallet away.

I guess he’s not a complete lost cause.

“This is me.” I point to my car as the sun is beginning to fade in the sky.

“I’d like to continue the evening. Maybe go back to your place, open a bottle of wine, get to know one another more.” And there it is.

“I’ll have to pass tonight. I do have to be up quite early.”

“To serve coffee?” he scoffs.

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