Page 61 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

She turns to face me, walking backward. “Do share.”

“First, she asked me if I was going to propose because they have a section dedicated for proposals. And that I’d get a twenty-percent discount if I did.”

Eve stops dead in her tracks, and I almost crash into her. “What’s wrong?”

“Why didn’t you get down on one knee?”

My heart stops beating.

“You could have saved yourself twenty percent?”

And my heart starts again. “Do you want to go back?” I hike my thumb behind us. “I don’t have a ring, but maybe I can fashion one together. There’s the hardware store next door.”

She spins back around and leans against me. “Maybe next time. The spontaneity is over now.”

When we reach my truck, I open her door. She climbs in, and I pass her the bag. Before closing it, I lean in. “I know you had your heart set on fast food, but I hope you enjoyed the date.”

Her cold fingertips caress my cheeks. “Best. Date. Ever.” She leans in and kisses me. She pulls away a fraction. Her lips move against mine as she says, “There’s always the drive-thru.”

I laugh. “I knew you wanted a hamburger.”

“Someone forgot to check if the date included food or not.”

I shrug. “You got me. Let’s go get you a hamburger.”

“Can we make it a cheeseburger?”

“Sure.” I close the door and a muffled “And fries!” sounds from inside my truck.

On the drive back to Jake’s we dig into our fast food. I purposely take the long way so I can have a few extra minutes with Eve. When we return to the house, I throw away our garbage and flop down on the couch, taking the middle cushion. Eve takes the spot next to me. With her back against the armrest, she throws her legs across my lap.

“So, what did you think of the app?”

I run my hands over her smooth bare legs. “I think this is a really great idea.”

“Me too. We have so many hookup apps. It’s nice that there’s something for when you need a legitimate date for a one-off event.”

“I think this will do really well.”

“I think so too.”

“Have you tried any of those hookup apps?”

She shakes her head. “No. I never had a reason to try them. For the most part, I always had a boyfriend. Even between my previous ex and Pax, I would go out on sporadic dates. Some lasted longer than others. What about you?”

“Late-night booty calls through an app… I didn’t need them.”

She sits up, laughing. “Of course you didn’t.”

“And I wasn’t sleeping with anyone who talked to me either if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“And Rachel?” She lifts a brow.

“I never slept with Rachel. On many occasions, she tried, but I was never interested.” I inch my hand under the hem of her dress and up her thigh. “Now, I have you.”

She throws her head back in laughter. “Nice save. Either way, your past is your past. No judgment. But I’m excited to be part of your present.” Her fingers play with a crease in her cotton dress. “Speaking of the future,” she scoots closer to me, her eyes fixed on her lap, “There’s something I need?—”

Rustling from the back door sounds through the house. Eve scampers off my lap, kicking me in the thigh in the process. I flinch and rub the spot. She cringes and mouths “sorry” before sitting on the opposite end of the couch, crossing her leg away from me. I jump up and scoot to the other side, leaning away from her.

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