Happy reading!
10
He's looking so deeply into my eyes; I can't look away. In the dim lighting, they look forest green, the brown at the irises a warm amber. They're mesmerizing. "Did I scare you?" He asks after a moment when I haven't reacted.
I shake my head. He stunned me, but I'm not scared. Why am I not scared? "No, just overwhelmed."
"I didn't mean to come on too strong…" He's going to say more, but I cut off before he can.
"I liked what you said." I've never had a potential romantic partner state their intention so clearly before, and I like that he does. In the past, most of the guys I'd gone for used dating like their own personal chess board, more focused on the game than getting to know me. The number of guys that I'd gone on one date with that told me they saw it going somewhere, only to ghost me was a long list. It had gotten tiring, which had played a part in why I hadn't dated recently. I just wanted someone that would tell me what they wanted, outright and as clearly as I did.
"I meant it, Bella. The more time I spend with you, the more time I want."
I swallow the emotion in my throat, admitting out loud something that might damn me in the long run, but I don't even care. "I feel the same way." There was a magnetism about him that I gravitated toward. The more of him I got, the more I craved.
"We're on the same page, then." The light turns green, and we continue to the restaurant, the entire time my hand is in his.
Once we get to Baron's we're seated at a table in a quiet corner in the back of the restaurant. It's a busy night, so the bar area is loud, but where the table we're at feels secluded, no other people are near us, making it feel like we have the place to ourselves.
"What's your go to order here?" Edward asks once the hostess walks away, not bothering to open his menu.
I think for a second. "I love their she-crab soup. I would say is my most ordered thing from the menu. I also order their Peanut City Sticky Burger a lot, too. Now," I say when he looks at me a little weird. "I know it sounds weird, but a burger with peanut butter is actually good."
He makes a face, but doesn't look disgusted, just thoughtful. "I guess I can't say anything. Pickles and peanut butter were a favorite snack of mine growing up that I occasionally still indulge in."
"I can't say that I've ever put peanut on pickles, but I also can't think of anything that peanut can't make better."
He laughs, "True."
The server comes by to take our order, cutting our conversation short. As the night goes on, I'm taken aback by how easy talking to him is. I feel completely comfortable in his presence, like there isn't anything that I couldn't talk to him about. A feeling of rightness settles over me as I realize that this thing with him could go somewhere.
"How did you decide to go into marketing?" I ask as we dig into the cheesecake we ordered for dessert, taking a bite.
He chews and swallows, "I originally went to school for business for lack of anything better at the time. My sophomore year, I took a marketing class and decided that it was a good fit for me. I've always been a people person, which comes in handy." He takes another bite. "I met Jane at my first job out of college. We both disliked the company we were working for and decided to take a chance to see if we could do something better. Five years later, here we are."
"She seemed nice when I met her at your office."
"She is. She's one of the best people I've ever known."
"That's how I feel about Angela. She's just so genuine and kind. At this point, I don't think I could run my business without her. She's so good at what she does."
"Loving the people you work with makes everything better."
"Yes, it does." Our eyes meet and I smile softly at him. "I've had fun tonight."
He smiles back, almost bashful. "So, have I. I'd like…" my phone ringing cuts him off.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't answer my phone while on a date, but the ringtone that comes from my phone makes my stomach drop, because it's Kate's.
"I'm sorry. I have to get this."
"Of course." He looks at me with concern as I take my phone out of my bag.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Bella, it's Kate. I'm sorry to bother you," the next words out of her mouth make my blood run cold, "but it's your mom."
See you next time!