Page 24 of Impacted by Love

You can't do the same thing and expect a different result… change how you handle this one.

"How?" Slamming the toilet lid down after scrubbing it, I try to reel in my quick attitude because this isn't the conversation I want to be having.

Jumping the gun, even without hearing from Onesti on whether or not she was taking me up on my suggestion, I've been cleaning my house. I'm finishing my bathroom, and my flaring nostrils and chest's heavy rise and fall increase my blood pressure.

Date her… outside of your house so you can avoid temptation. You have never given a woman anything other than your anatomy. Give Onesti something different.

Wordlessly, I flush the toilet and exit the bathroom, picking up my phone once I reach my bed. Cleaning my ensuite and bedroom directly indicated what type of time I was on with Onesti. Begrudgingly, I open my text thread with Onesti and do something I'm unsure of but hard-pressed not to ignore.

Me:

I was thinking. How about we grab something to eat instead? I would like to get to know you before we attempt to cross those lines… if we cross them at all.

My guy! Now you're moving smarter, not harder.

Dropping the phone on the bed, I exit my room toward the kitchen, desperate for something to soothe my bruised ego. With my thoughts swirling along with the suggestions from the small voice in my head, I yank the fridge open and grab a bottle of water. Twisting the cap, I tilt the bottle and drink the contents until my throat protests from the cold liquid. Coming up for air, I secure the cap, set the bottle on the island, and return to my bedroom. My gaze is on the phone, causing my steps to move to retrieve it. Seeing Onesti's name causes my heart rate to increase and my hands to shake slightly, but I unlock the phone to read the message awaiting me.

Onesti:

I'd love that. Any place in particular you have in mind?

See, you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Date the woman before you consider sticking your lit?—

"Whoa, I'm willing to listen, but don't be insulting my guy," I warn, cutting off the thought within my mind.

Shaking my head, I reply to Onesti while biting my lip, suddenly anxious about meeting up with her.

Me:

Ladies choice. What are you in the mood to eat, Ms. Onesti?

Onesti:

Pizza. How about Trusty's Pizza Palace?

I'm familiar with the pizza restaurant, and my stomach starts growling on cue upon reading her suggestion. It's a buffet-style pizza spot with many options and several breadsticks and salad choices. The restaurant also has a soda machine where you can mix and match flavors. The owner, Kenan Trust, has a goldmine on his hands with the establishment, where patrons can fill up on delicious and mouthwatering pies six days a week, as they are closed on Sundays.

Me:

Great choice. I don't want to make this awkward initially, so how about we meet there in an hour and a half?

Onesti:

It's a date. See you soon.

Flutters spread across my chest, and my hands begin perspiring, causing my forehead to wrinkle from the uncommon feeling I had after reading Onesti's message. Ignoring my reaction, I return my phone to the bed and head to my closet to find something to wear. A quick shower will be next since I don't want to show up smelling like cleaning products.

* * *

Pulling into a parking spot at the restaurant, I put the gear in park and run my moist palms down my jeans. Moisture is filling my mouth, and my body temperature is slightly elevated now that I have safely made it to my destination.

"Come on, man, chill. This isn't your first rodeo. You're just sharing a meal with a woman. It'll be a piece of cake," I coach myself before taking several cleansing breaths to quiet the pounding within my chest cavity.

Arriving early demonstrates to Onesti how much I value her time and agreeing to break bread with me.

Or it's your way to ensure you can quiet the bubble guts threatening to force an end to this date before it even starts. You might want to get that gas out in here because it wouldn't be sanitary to do it in Onesti's presence.

Closing my eyes, I swallow the moisture in my throat before my nose wrinkles upon smelling the silent backfiring from beneath me. My stomach has been flipping and spinning like a Tilt-A-Whirl since my plans with Onesti became set in stone. I don't know why this woman got me out of sorts, but clenching my mouth, I silently pray for an end to this discomfort in my stomach.

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