Page 21 of My Promise To Keep

‘It’s just a small-town inn, a bar with a dancefloor and a jukebox and some rental cabins out back.’

‘You’re young to own a bar. How’d that happen?’

‘I inherited it. My dad left it to my siblings and me, but it’s not their dream, so I’m buying them out slowly, and I run it.’

‘Siblings, huh? What you got?’

I grinned and shook my head — this was so silly.

‘I have a twin sister and a little brother who is bigger than all of us.’

‘Will he kick my butt for dating you?’

There was a seriousness in his tone that forced my gaze to the table as I inhaled.

‘He might try.’ And he really might.

The server brought our wine and told us she’d give us a few minutes to look at the menus.

‘Have you eaten here before?’ I asked, looking down at the vast array of options but not taking any of it in.

‘Yeah, a couple of times.’ I ignored the pang of jealousy at the thought of him bringing other women here. This was not real.

‘You order for us both then. I can’t decide.’

He nodded, then proceeded to order for the both of us.

As the time passed, it got easier to play the game. Leo flirted and charmed his way through the date, encouraging me to open up — the wine may also have helped.

‘Wait, Buffy?’ I laughed, cackled really, ‘How did I not know that?’

‘Because this is our first date, Zoe, how would you?’ He winked, and I smiled. ‘You can’t criticize me. One, Sarah Michelle Gellar is the stuff wet dreams are made of,’ he raised one eyebrow, and I laughed again, ‘and two, it’s your fault. You were so hot for Spike that you had it on all the damn time. I got into it.’

‘Into her.’

‘I wish.’

I cackled again. Why was this so easy? Why was it always so easy with him?

‘Stop distracting me. We’re not supposed to know each other, and you’ve got me reminiscing.’

I smiled and took another sip of wine, knowing I’d already had too many.

‘Okay, I’m sorry. First date. I don’t know you. You don’t know me.’ I shook my shoulders to put myself back in the zone. ‘Go.’

Leo laughed softly and shook his head, then took a sip of his drink, followed by a deep breath.

‘So, Zoe, what is it you’re looking for?’

It took a moment for me to process the question, the sexy half-smile on his face, and the forkful of chocolate cheesecake I just ate.

‘In what respect?’

One corner of his mouth turned up, and, damn, he was sexy. His green eyes sparkled as they bored into mine.

‘From a man, dating.’ Oh god, his voice was so low and slow that it vibrated through me.

‘Um, well, I’ve been single for a while, so I guess I’m just ready to put myself out there.’

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