Page 4 of Time Bomb

“Goodnight, Baxter.” I choose to ignore his ignorance and just end it here and now.

“Wait a minute. I bought dinner.” So, he’s one of those.

“And?” I raise a brow at him.

“Well, I think you owe me more than a simple goodnight.” I see the storm brewing in his eyes and decide I’m done being nice.

“I’m not a whore, Baxter. If you wanted food and a fuck, you should have gone to the red-light district. I don’t put out because you bought me a meal. Now, goodnight. I hope to never see you again.” Shoving him aside, I swiftly enter my car, slam the door shut, and lock it as he curses up a blue streak outside.

Drawing more attention to myself than I like, I start the engine and merge into traffic. I have zero desire to deal with any more men, and I’ll need to put my foot down with Laken.

I love her. I love that she’s in such a good place and wants that for me as well, but not at the expense of my dignity. If love is in the cards for me, then I’ll find it on my own.

Blind Date #3 – I didn’t put my foot down. Sue me!

I told Laken no more. Practically begged her to cancel the rest, but she promised that Hale picked these guys, and he knew them personally. She’s vowing I’ll find my forever with at least one of my two last dates.

I’m having a mid-afternoon lunch with a firefighter on the boardwalk near my café. Which brings me a bit of comfort because it’s always busy here, and after my last date, I still can’t shake off the unease.

Dressed in my favorite baby-blue romper with thick straps, adorable heart-shaped pockets, and my hair knotted on top of my head with a bandana wrapped around, I’ve at least tried to look cute. Even my slip-on Converse match. I kept my makeup light with just some mascara, blush, and my favorite bubble gum lip gloss.

“Ophelia?” Turning around at the masculine voice, I grin when I see Torque Decker, Hale’s younger brother.

“Of course it would be you.” I kiss his cheek as he bends down to do the same.

“You didn’t know it was going to be me?” I shake my head. And now I know why. I’d have said no. There’s no way I would chance awkwardness with Laken and Hale when things go bad through some event or another because there’s no way this fine specimen of a man would want anything to do with a girl like me.

“Neither of them said a word.” A dimple appears when his smile widens, and if not for the fact that it’s already blazing hot, I’d swear I’m blushing.

“Are you disappointed?” His head cocks as he gently cups my elbow, moving me to the side so we’re out of the way.

“Worried is the better word for it.” I won’t lie to the man. I can’t stand the idea of having to dodge my best friends because things don’t work out for Torque and me.

He still hasn’t let go of my elbow. “Why?”

A horn honks in the distance, causing me to look back. “Truthfully, I don’t want to mess anything up for them. You’re blood; I’m just a friend. I’d be the one avoiding contact because it’s easier.”

“So you already assume things are going to suck?” His brow furrows and I have the urge to run my thumb along the pucker to smooth it out. Torque takes a step back as he lets me go, shoving his hands in the pockets of his shorts. His white t-shirt pulls tight across his broad shoulders.

Biting my lip, I release a sigh. See, I’m already screwing things up, and I have no idea how to recover. I’m deeply attracted to Torque, there’s no doubt about it, but I’m as plain as they come.

“No,” I finally respond. “I don’t. I just have a tendency to shove my foot in my mouth before realizing what I’ve done, and then things just happen to…end.” Crossing my arms, I look away from his penetrating gaze.

“As it so happens, I’m an expert in dealing with foot-in-mouth situations. I work in a firehouse, after all.” My eyes fly back to find that he’s amused, a charming grin forming across his lips.

I can’t help but laugh, the tension in my shoulders easing some. Relief settles in the region of my stomach, and I return his amusement. “Fair enough. So did you have a plan for this date, or are we just winging it?”

“Do you have a preference?” With a hand on my back, he guides me to walk with him. I love summer, and being outside on a perfect day like today is exactly what I need. Torque being with me is undoubtedly a perk.

“I don’t. The last two dates were planned and went terribly.” His silence has me glancing up at him through my lashes. He looks…feral, and it takes me back. “What? What’s that look?” It’s gone as quickly as it came.

“Last two dates?”

They didn’t tell him. Great. “Uhm, yeah, Laken and Hale are in this wedded bliss stage where they want everyone as happy as they are. Since Laken and I spend so much time together, I’m often her target.” I chuckle a little because it’s kind of cute but mostly annoying.

“And so she’s got you dating?” He doesn’t sound pleased.

I blow out a breath, and his intensity right now is sizzling hot. “Well…yes. They were disasters.”

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