Page 40 of Body Shot

“Thursday’s good.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

I give him my address, wondering if I’m revealing personal information to a potential serial killer. I don’t really know this guy, and I’m not too experienced with dating.

On Thursday night, I’m getting ready with Carrie on speakerphone giving me advice.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me going out with him?” I ask as I put on my top.

“Of course!

“I was afraid maybe you were hoping he would call you.”

It’s weird that either guy called me instead of Carrie. She’s gorgeous—tall, blond, blue-eyed, with full lips and killer cheekbones. Guys never look at me when she’s around. So in a way, it’s flattering that Will called and I should at least go for a drink with him.

When he arrives a few minutes before seven, I answer the door, dressed in jeans and ballet flats with a flowy pink tank top.

Will smiles and says, “Hi.”

“Hi. I’m all set.” I don’t invite him in and lock the door. “You didn’t have to pick me up. We could have met somewhere.”

“I live in Bay Ho. So it’s not far.”

“Oh good.”

He opens the passenger door to his car, not a Jag like Beck’s. I shouldn’t even compare the two. A car doesn’t tell you everything about the owner. Beck’s Jag probably means he’s not good with money or trying to compensate for something.

Nah. I already know that’s not the case.

Will gently touches the small of my back to guide me to the car.

We make small talk about the weather as he drives. When he puts on his turn signal and pulls into the small lot behind Conquistadors, I straighten in my seat. “Um . . . are we going to Conquistadors again?”

“Yeah.” He glances at me. “That okay? It’s close and it seemed like a nice place. Also they gave out coupons for free appetizers.”

Nice to know I rate a free appetizer.

I pull in a deep breath. What am I supposed to say? “Sure, that’s fine.”

Maybe I won’t see Beck. He can’t be thereallthe time. And what if he is? I haven’t heard from him since he left Sunday, and that’s just fine with me.

Will politely opens the door for me. He’s gaining more “nice” points.

“We’re just going into the bar,” he tells the hostess and she smiles and waves us in.

We pause inside the bar to survey seating options. Most of the stools at the bar are open, but there are some tables too. All of them close to the bar. Ah well.

Without waiting for Will’s opinion, I head to the table farthest from the bar and pull out a chair. Will follows and takes the chair adjacent to me, rather than directly across the table, and turns it so he’s half facing me.

I grab the drinks menu and try to avoid looking around for Beck while staring at it.

A pretty waitress approaches and sets napkins near us. “Hi there. I’m Crystal. How are you guys doing tonight?”

“Great,” Will says.

“Do you want to look at food menus?” the waitress asks, and Will gives me a questioning look.

“No, I’m good,” I reply quickly

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