Page 10 of Falling for You

“Now what kind of man would I be if I took away dessert? I’ll meet you there, sound good?”

“I thought you were working? You said you’re a bartender here, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m done for the night.”

I nod once, still unsure what I’m planning to tell my overbearing friends.As they should, they’ll want to know every single detail.

I feel his eyes on me as I leave the office and I can’t help the goofy smile spread across my face by the time I’ve reached the table where my friends are sitting.

“Sorry, ladies, I’ve gotta go see about a guy.”

They all groan but Ari’s the one who speaks up. “You’ve gotta be shitting me right now. You just gave us a line fromGood Will Hunting!”

“And?”

“And the cheesy one, too! Besides – what the hell?”

“He invited you guys.”

Choruses of “Ewww!” and “What a perv!” are shouted as they look to the door, as if he’s standing there awaiting his… fivesome? Is that what it would be?

I burst out laughing. “No! Not that kind of thing. We’re going for dessert at Balance.”

“I’m so confused,” my friend Elizabeth whispers.

“I really don’t get it either,” I admit, “but dessert sounds amazing and I’m tired of everything happening to me. It’s time I take control of my own life and do something for myself.”

“So…” Elizabeth starts, looking at our friends, then back to me, “do you want us to come with you?”

I shrug as if I could care less, even though I really don’t want them joining us. “It’s up to you guys.”

Ari stares at me. She and I have been best friends since I moved to Liberty a few years ago and started working at her salon. She’s been my biggest supporter when it comes to me opening my own salon, even though I would be her competition. The one that will never be. “I think we’ll wait to hear the details tomorrow,” she eventually says.

I grin and she winks.

Gathering my things, I give hugs and say my goodbyes to everyone before making my way to my car.

Time to get my life on track.

Starting with dessert.

Chapter Three

Rex

What the fuckam I doing? Seriously, what thefuckam I doing? I’m having dessert with a beautiful woman who has had a super shitty day, that’s what I’m doing. That’sallI’m doing.

Maybe if I keep telling myself that, I’ll actually believe it.

Because I already know that I’m lying to myself.

It’s not as if I never have more than only sex with women. It’s just rare. Dinner usually leads to expectations of more — and I don’t do more.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Chloe stood me up. Especially after she goes to her friends and tells them where she’s going. And if she does show up, the chances of her being alone are pretty slim.

That thought leads to me wondering why I care so much and really want her showing up alone.

I’m already seated at a table, the late hour of the evening allows for a quieter restaurant, even for a Saturday night. My server refills my water and gives me a sympathetic look. No doubt she thinks I’m getting stood up given the fact that I’ve been here for twenty minutes by myself, insisting that I’m not going to be dining alone.

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