Page 12 of My Killer Blind Date

‘Let’s get an appetizer too, though – right?’ he says, turning a focused frown on the menu.

‘Sure, that sounds good.’

As much as I’m obsessed with appetizers, as he studies the menu, I study him.

Blond, tousled hair. Gorgeous face – strong jaw, nice nose, etc. – but it’s not the gorgeousness that’s getting me. It’s the feather-light wrinkles at his eyes that show a history of laughter. The intent expression in his gray eyes that promises curiosity. And those full lips surrounded by the gentlest dusting of blond stubble. I can literally imagine how that contrast of soft and rough might feel if we kissed … A full-body shiver travels from my head to my toes. Damn it. The mutiny has reached the epidermis. I swear to God, if he collects ceramic squirrels—

‘You cold?’ he asks, eyes flitting up.

‘A little cold, yeah,’ I say, since I’m not about to admit the real source of the shiver.

‘Well, I don’t have a jacket to offer you – but we could get something hot to share? Warm you up?’

I’m briefly at a loss for words. My cheeks go bright pink.

‘Maybe the polenta with the turkey ragu?’ he suggests, since I seem to be incapable of speech. ‘I’ve had it before. It’s fantastic. And they bring it out piping hot.’

‘Oh – yes – sounds great.’ Food, Margot. We’re talking about food. Get control of yourself!

The server comes over; Liam orders the appetizer, we both order drinks and then he says, ‘And we’ll both have the fish.’

Then, we’re looking at each other and like the little fool that I absolutely am, I’m definitely wishing I’d worn the dress. He’d never have noticed the pilling in this low lighting. Or the little hole.

He smiles. ‘So. Margot. Tell me about yourself. Do you live in the city?’

‘I do,’ I say. ‘Um – you?’

‘I grew up in the suburbs. But the city suits me better. Always something to do, you know?’

‘Yeah, I heard you were at an art gallery event? Are you into art?’

‘Very.’ He grins. ‘I’m a total novice, though. No idea what I’m looking at, really. But excited to learn.’

A man who admits what he doesn’t know and is excited to learn? Total turn on.

‘That’s how you met Arjun, right?’

He grins. It’s a cute asymmetrical grin, his mouth turning up more on one side than it does on the other.

‘Arjun very kindly educated me on limited edition prints.’

‘That’s cool,’ I say, just as the server returns with our drinks. Wait – is this massive margarita mine? It’s about the size of my actual head. Did I just imagine ordering the gin and tonic? Fuck. I was so caught up observing Liam, I must have ordered the wrong drink.

The server slides the monster in front of me. ‘The Double Margarita Kong. And for you, sir, a dirty martini.’

Liam’s drink looks like a dollhouse miniature next to mine.

I’m about to tell our server I didn’t mean to order this when Liam says, ‘Thanks, Alex, appreciate it.’

Wow. He remembered the server’s name. I don’t even remember the server sharing his name. I fully admit that I came into this date expecting to check a box. But maybe I can work with this.

‘Cheers?’ Liam tilts his glass toward mine. ‘To a lovely evening with an intriguing woman.’

We clink and I sip. Mmmm – it’s smoky-sweet, balanced – not what I was expecting at all. And neither are you, I think toward Liam. He hasn’t told a single long-winded story about himself, which I have to admit is refreshing.

He sets his drink down. ‘Do you live alone? With roommates?’

‘With a roommate,’ I say, making a split-second decision not to talk about Zoe’s disappearance on night one. ‘She was – I mean, is an artist.’ Better to keep things in the present tense for now. I don’t want to ruin the vibes that are so unexpectedly excellent.