Page 63 of Starting Back
“No problem. You both have a nice night.”
Leo gave us both a nod and headed back to his table. My eyes followed his retreat, the tight Henley shirt over black pants, his broad shoulders slumping in disappointment.
I turned and didn’t realize that Edwin was already at our table. Whether I was into the date or not, getting into a heated discussion with another man wasn’t right, nor was fixating on Leo the entire time—even before I’d seen him.
“Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. This drink is pretty good.” His genuine smile made me feel even worse.
I took a long slurp, the drink not exactly the way Leo had made it at Turtle Bay, but familiar enough to cause a pang in my chest at the taste.
“Ex-boyfriend?” He cocked a brow as he crunched on another chip.
“Something like that.” I grabbed my straw for another long pull. “Did you decide on what to order?”
“How about splitting the appetizer special?” He motioned to the whiteboard behind us. “That way, we could at least taste the food while we’re here and then get the check.”
I nodded, getting what he was offering, and despite the lack of chemistry or interest before the Leo intrusion, I felt nothing but guilt.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been really rude tonight.”
“You haven’t.” He waved a hand. “I like a more organic way of meeting people, so I’ve been on a lot of first dates that have made me wonder why I didn’t delete the damn app in the first place. Not that this was one of them, but I think with a more natural way of meeting, it would be easier, you know?”
“I do.” I heaved a long sigh. “So, listen, now that we know we’re on the same page, we don’t have to rush out of here. I’ve been dreaming of tacos all day. We can have dinner and part ways, with no weirdness or regret. How does that sound?”
He was handsome when he smiled, but I still felt nothing. Dinner wasn’t bad after that, both of us laughing at past tales of disastrous dates and quick escapes. Maybe there were some nice guys out there. I just had to find the motivation and desire to look.
And I had none. I’d known that, but I didn’t get the significance until now.
“This has been one of the strangest dates I’ve ever been on, but I have to say one of the best lately.”
I laughed with Edwin as he walked me to my car after dinner, stilling when he leaned in as if he was about to kiss me. I exhaled when his lips landed on my cheek.
“I wouldn’t mind a dinner with a friend sometimes if you’d be up for it.”
“I would like that,” I said. “Comparing notes with you tonight made me feel much less alone.”
“You know, you don’thaveto be alone. That guy who sent us the drinks was looking our way every time he walked up to the bar, and before I called you, I watched the conversation you were having. You both couldn’t take your eyes off each other. Why waste your time with this?”
I chuckled with him, despite the sour churn in my stomach.
“It’s complicated.”
“Isn’t everything? Safe travels home.”
Edwin waved before he shifted toward his car.
What I felt about Leo was simple. My fear of ruining it or getting too close only to watch him walk away as he moved on to his next destination was what made it complicated.
TWENTY-FOUR
KRISTINA
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Peyton asked my brother around a mouthful of fries.
Jake snuck me a look, a smile pulling at his mouth as he held up his hands.
“I just remember when you insisted that the burgers here were a once-a-month thing because they were too big, and now you’re staring at the double cheeseburger at the next table like you stare at me sometimes.”
