Page 13 of A Very Grumpy Neighbor

“Tell me you weren’t about to ditch me on our first date,” he growls.

I try to push him away, but it’s no use. “No, of course not,” I lie. “I just forgot something in my car.”

“Little liar,” he grumbles against the shell of my ear.

“Nu-uh.”

“Jade,” he admonishes me.

“Okay, fine, I was leaving,” I admit.

He steps back, and I spin to face him. He frowns at me, and I clear my throat, looking away.

“Listen, I know that this is a blind date, and I’m sure you don’t want to have dinner with me, so?—”

“I do.”

“—it’s better if I—wait, what?”

“I do.”

“You do what?”

“I do want to have dinner with you.”

My mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.

Finally, I croak, “You do?”

He nods, looking annoyed.

I choke on a laugh. “I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true.”

“Okay, well,Idon’t want to have dinner withyou. I’m leaving.”

“Wait!” He grabs my arm before I can get in my car.

“I don’t think that this is a good idea, Meyer. I don’t think you know what you want, and that won’t end well for me. I want someone who’s sure about me—someone who sees a future andwantsit. But you? You can’t even decide if we’re friends.

“I’m sorry,” he grumbles.

“Right. Well, I’m still leaving.”

“I’ll be nice.”

I huff out a laugh. “I’m looking for more thannice.”

“Okay, I can be that, too.”

“Why are you trying all of a sudden?”

He releases my arm and runs his hands through his hair. “I’m not good at this.”

“Dating?”

“Being around other people,” he sighs. “Making friends. Dating. Feelings.”

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