Page 128 of Sapphire Sunset

“Throw stuff at other cars?” Connor asked.

“No.Talk. Better than that, talk without having tolook the other person in the eye. That’s how you get some of the bestaccidental disclosures. You know, when the other guy slips and says somethingthat tells you right off the bat it’s not a match. And then you know not to wastemoney or time on dessert.”

“Now who’s bringing the romance? What if I let you returnthe roses? Will that clear up some money for our dinner fund? I kind of had myheart set on a brownie sundae.”

“Just kidding. I always pay for dessert.”

“Awesome. I’m getting ice creamanda traffic jam?”Connor clapped his hands together several times in a row. “I hope our nextstop’s a wedding chapel.”

“Marriage? It’s a first date.”

“With traffic. The best kind.”

Connor knew he was acting like a six-year-old in the throesof a sugar rush. But that’s kind of how he felt. He was alone with Logan, farfrom the hotel, with no clear idea of where they were headed and no expectationthat he plan it. Or rescue it from scandal and ruin. And the best part, hisuncle was no longer a shadowy threat out in the world.

When Logan smiled and moved their linked hands to his lap,the sugar-high feeling got higher, and he could feel his cheeks hurting fromhis smile.

They were descending a long on-ramp that curved high abovethe freeway and would soon deposit them into the river of stalled cars that madeup the northbound lanes of the 405 Freeway.

“Perfect,” Connor cried. “Traffic!”

“See?Toldja.”

“And just in time. Because I have questions.”

“Do you?” Logan asked.

“Yeah, this is the conversation part, right?”

“Sure, but I’m not sure an interview format is what I had inmind,” Logan said.

“Oh, I am. What was your worst date ever?”

“Really? We’re going to talk about other men on our firstdate?” Logan asked.

“We’re going to talk about men who didn’t get to first base.I mean, I want yourworstfirst date.”

Logan made the kind of face you make when you forget tobring a gift to the birthday party.

“Oh, is that face your way of telling me you’ve slept withmost of the guys you’ve had bad dates with?” Connor asked.

“Sometimes that’s what made them so bad.” Logan grimaced.

“Uh huh. So my uncle was right?” Connor said.

“About what?” Logan asked.

“You’re a hit it and quit itkindaguy?”

“Used to be. And see, I warned you. Not a good topic for afirst date.”

Logan was right, and Connor suddenly felt a strange blend ofanimosity and desire at once—a charge from the fact that the guy next to himwas so desirable that most of his first dates wanted to get sweaty with him,but this desire was sparked with fear, the fear that a guy as hot as Logan Murdochcouldn’t be pinned down for longer than a few weeks because another offer wouldalways come along.

“Hey, you keep up the pouting and I’m going to pull this truckover and give that cute little ass a spanking,” Logan said.

“Bet you love yourself some Grindr,” Connor said, even as hetold himself not to say it.

“I take it you don’t?”

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