Page 9 of Falling for You

“Good method of transportation these days.”

“Yes, I agree. The horse’s name is Frank, by the way.”

He nods as if talking about taking a horse and buggy to a bar is perfectly normal. “Perfect name for a horse.”

“I think so.”

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Wow. I was just being sarcastic. Didn’t think you’d mistake me for being drunk. I was only able to get in a couple sips before some whacko stole me away from my friends and hauled me into a strange room.”

“I wasn’t thinking you were drunk. I’m not a moron — I understand smart ass when I hear it. I was just asking because I wasn’t sure if you had a way out of here or if you rode with your friends.”

“I drove alone.”

“I have the perfect cure for a shitty day.”

I cock an eyebrow. “I thought you said you wouldn’t give me a line.”

“Ha! No. Notthat. Something almost as good, though.”

“I’m not sure,” I hesitate.

“Your friends are welcome to join us. Or you can tell them where we’re heading if that would make you more comfortable.”

I look out the door and back to him. “Where is it?”

“Balance. Have you heard of it?”

“The restaurant? Yes.”

He sticks his hands in his pockets and looks adorable. Shy, almost. “Been there for dessert?”

“I’ve never been there, ever.”

“Then it’s time to change that. Meet me there? Either just you or your group of friends.”

If I invite them, they’ll interrogate him. If I tell them I’m leaving, they’ll know something’s up.

“You know what?” he suddenly says, taking a few steps back from me.

“What?”

“Don’t worry about it. It was stupid of me to ask. We don’t know each other and I can tell I’m making you uncomfortable. That wasn’t my intention — to come off so strong, I mean. I don’t even know why I asked,” he mutters, looking uncomfortable himself.

“No,” I rush to correct him. “You… you didn’t make me uncomfortable. Just shocked me, I guess. I wasn’t expecting any of this.”

He smirks a cute little half smile. “Well, considering that your day has been full of surprises…”

“So true.”

Maybe this is a sign of some sort. After such a crappy day, I need to be willing to open up my mind and do something out of the ordinary for me. What’s the harm in going to have dessert with an extremely handsome man, anyway?

“I’ll let you get back to your friends,” he says, looking away.

“You taking back your offer of dessert? That’s not a nice thing to do to a woman who’s had such bad day, you know.”

Gone is the half smile, replaced with a full one. And damn if it isn’t sexy.

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