Page 26 of Eat Slay Love

His voice dipped with wickedness.

I swallowed.

His gaze darkened. "And Iwaswaiting."

My breath caught.

He raised a brow. "So now. . .I imagine that your boyfriend is a surgeon of some sorts with a career-heightening schedule for tonight."

A surprised chuckle escaped me. "What?"

He studied me. "Is that why your boyfriend didn’t show?”

“No.”

“Not a surgeon?”

“Absolutely not.”

"Then, a highly decorated detective who just minutes before leaving for dinner, just found a pertinent clue for a case involving a deadly serial killer. He wanted to come, but he had to sacrifice this moment for the greater good."

I laughed—loud, unrestrained.

A couple ahead of us glanced over their shoulders.

I quieted, turned toward him, and whispered. "I don’t have a boyfriend."

He actually parted his lips in shock.

Then, he gave me a slow blink. The kind of blink that looked like a system reboot of some sorts.

His voice came out quieter, but somehow heavier. "No boyfriend?”

“None.” I shrugged. "Tonight. . .I am takingmyselfout on a date."

A slow smirk spread across his lips. "Aww."

I narrowed my eyes. "What?"

"How very American."

I scoffed. "Are you mocking America?"

"Unfortunately, mocking America is a fun hobby of mine."

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling.

He tilted his head slightly. "Takingyourselfout?"

"Yes."

"That’s very nice." A beat passed. Then, a shift in his tone happened, and so goddamn smoothly he licked his lips and said, "However, tonight, I propose a plan."

"O-kay?"

"Take yourself outanothertime."

I blinked.

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