Page 38 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
"Mhmm, like in a ring," I explained, trying to avoid his blue eyes.
"Hmm, I can't picture it," he mused as he took a drink from his glass. I hadn't touched my wine except to taste it, and confirm I still hate it. He didn't take his eyes off me the entire time. So I think he caught how offended I was by his words. I'm definitely a fighter and I thought I gave off an intimidating aura, but I guess not.
"What about you?" I asked him.
"I like to watch sports at the stadium. I love watching scary movies. Also, I like to spend time with my friends playing football or soccer. You know I actually have a baseball scholarship?" He raised his brows at me like I should be impressed, which I was.
"That's awesome. I want to see you play one day."
"I would like that." He smiled back.
Our plates were brought out, and I wondered where the rest of the food had gone. The portion was likely to feed a small child, moreover an adult. I couldn't believe how expensive the food was for so little of it. I picked up my fork, wondering what exactly it was Leo had ordered us. The meat was very tender, cutting like butter against the knife. It looked good, but tasted a little too gamey for me. I ate it all, not because I was hungry, but because I would not have Leo waste any money.
Leo paid for the overpriced food, making me feel guilty, but he didn't think of it at all. He left a nice tip, which gave him a plus in my book. He grabbed my hand, leading us out of the restaurant and towards a busy strip mall across the street. I hate going shopping. I never did much shopping as a kid or a teen. Now, as an adult, it's the last thing I want to go out and do. I mainly order clothes online because I hate feeling like other people are watching what I pick to wear.
"What are we doing now?" I asked him.
"Thought we could look around and see if there was anything you liked," he offered.
"I hope you're not planning on buying me anything else. The meal was very expensive, Leo!" I scolded him and his poor use of money.
"Liv, you don't have to worry about it. Money isn't an object I have to worry about," he assured me, making me feel slightly disgusted with him for a moment.
"Tell me you didn't just say that." I stopped walking, forcing him to take a step back so he wouldn't pull me forward.
"What?" He seemed genuinely confused.
"Just because you have a lot of it doesn't mean you need to spend so much of it. For example, our food just now, aren't you still hungry?" I asked, hearing his stomach rumble.
"Maybe a little, but I am fine." He shrugged.
"That was way too much money for too little food. I am not trying to be ungrateful, but I also don't like to spend too much money." I sighed, feeling this date wasn't going the best.
"I understand, Liv. I am sorry I made you feel uncomfortable," he squeezed my hand as he spoke. He meant it, but honestly, Leo didn't know me well at all.
He still has this nice, sweet and innocent image of me in his head, which is very inaccurate. I feel like it's the version of me he wants, this non-existent one. Leo is sweet, and he's been through a lot with his dad. I know I can lean on him, but honestly, I don't know if he understands me well enough. This date has proved it to me.
"How about you pick where we go next? Obviously, I'm not doing the best job," Leo laughed nervously as he scratched at the back of his head. I looked around, trying to think of where to go, when I saw it in the distance. The dim lighting inside with the neon sign overhead called to me.Jimmy John's Arcade.
"Let's go there." I smiled up at him as excitement rolled through me for the first time. Leo smiled back at me as he noticed where I pointed.
"Are you sure that's where you wanna go? I won't go easy on you," he teased, making me laugh.
"I'm sure."
To make my point, I pulled him by his hand towards the arcade with a giggle. The familiar scent of sweat, Windex, and whatever was spilled onto the dark blue carpet, soaked up by the padding underneath for all eternity, hit me as I entered. I took a deep breath, transporting myself back to when I was a teenager and would go to the arcade Friday nights with my only friend, Ian. I had been determined to beat the high score on Pacman.
Leo and I played many 2 player games, from street fighter to racing games. Leo wasn't kidding when he said he wouldn't take it easy on me. He was good at these games, making me question how often he'd been to an arcade. I didn’t lose every time, but Leo definitely had more victories than me. I laughed at his comments and the way he tries to block my view to win a few times.
"Cheater!" I pushed him playfully. "I could have won if you hadn't covered my eyes."
I laughed as I complained. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling. I looked at my phone, realizing we'd been here for almost two hours now. I had wanted to get back to mom before two o’clock but now it was three. I looked at Leo with my smile fading.
"I need to get back to my mom," I sadly admitted.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, Liv. I know it's important you spend as much time with her. Let's go. I'll take you to the hospital right now."
He walked so quickly I practically had to sprint to keep up. I appreciated that he wanted to get me back to mom so fast. Leo was a sweet and caring guy, and although the date had not gone well at first, it ended wonderfully. The arcade was what we needed to let loose and enjoy each other's company.
