Page 30 of Not Dating Material

“Then things are about to get awkward because that’s exactly what I have. Plus, an activity for later.”

“Activity?” I perk up, suddenly excited and nervous about the thought of him bringing condoms and lube on the date. “Bit presumptuous, but I can roll with it.”

“What?”

“I mean, I normally don’t put out on a first date—”

I’m cut off by Seven’s choking. “We said no sex stuff, remember? Now, get your head out of the dirty gutter and start stuffing your face.”

He works quickly to pull out a huge variety of containers that he places between us and then tops up two glasses with wine. Wine isn’t high on my list of likes, but it’s alcohol, and I can use it at this point. I don’t drink to get drunk anymore, but I like building up a happy buzz.

Seven stretches out across from me, his shoes bumping mine for a second before he pops open the first container. I help him, and I swear to Jesus, the man has thought of everything. Olives and sun-dried tomatoes, a million and one cheeses, crackers, cured meats, and sushi. Just about every berry I can think of, threaded lovingly onto sticks, whipped cream, chocolate, and an assortment of nuts.

“How many people are you expecting on this date?” I ask, peering at all the food.

“I eat a lot. I also didn’t know what you ate aside from cereal, so I brought a bit of everything.” Then he shakes the last container, and when he pops off the lid—

“Lucky Charms!”

He sets the container down in front of me. “Are you nine? How do you eat those?”

“Sweet tooth.”

“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.”

I pick one up, and when I look over at him, he’s watching me. Those sincere eyes and his soft smile are making this whole pretend-to-date thing so much easier. I throw a Lucky Charm up and catch it in my mouth.

“Nobody likes a show-off,” Seven says.

I grin at him as I chew. “Admit it. You were impressed.”

“Eh, I can think of better uses for my mouth.”

Well, hello. I flutter my eyelashes at him. “And for mine?”

Seven’s gaze drops to my lips, and I use the moment to grab another charm, hold it to my mouth, and scoop it up sexily with my tongue.

Only instead of licking it into my mouth, the charm drops, and a line of drool follows it.

“Oh my god” gets caught in my throat as I slap a hand over my mouth.

Seven loses his shit laughing. “That—whatever that was—needs to go top of your list of things to never happen again.”

“I was trying to be sexy!”

“No. Hard no.” He’s holding his stomach now. “Molly, from the bottom of my heart, that was straight-up weird.”

I pout. “Glad you’re not being a dick about it.”

He’s still clearly struggling to keep a straight face when he reaches over and cups my cheeks. The poutiness immediately disappears at the feel of his big palms cradling me, and suddenly, Seven could say whatever he liked to me, and I wouldn’t care.

His lips twitch, like he’s fighting the amusement. “This is what happens when you try too hard. You’re allowed to relax. I’m not running off.”

“Really?”

“Well, maybe if you spit everywhere again, I will.” Then he loses control and falls back, shaking with laughter again.

I decide to take the high road. “Not my fault you’re immature.”

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