Page 29 of Love Potion

I smile as I sit down, and Bane sits across from me, lifting the cloche lid to reveal a delicious looking bowl of pasta.

“It’s tonight’s special and Wren killed it,” Bane says. “It’s so good.”

“Yum.”

I unwrap my utensils as my stomach growls. Bane does the same, scooting closer so we can share.

“I hope you’re not too disappointed about tonight,” he says, rubbing his pinky against my hand.

“Not really. There was a guy there who talked to me afterward. He was fifty-six.”

Bane’s face tenses. “Did he hit on you?”

“Oh, no, nothing like that. He was just being friendly.”

“Ah.”

“But he was telling me his libido changed with age.”

Bane nods.

“Mine isn’t age related.”

“No.” He twirls pasta around his fork, offering the bite to me. I take it, chewing slowly as the flavor of tomatoes and something herby explodes on my tongue. “You’re just you, Jerr. Nothing’swrong. You don’t need magnesium. It’s just the way you’re built.”

After I swallow my bite, I sit back in my chair. “But that sucks.”

“Maybe not. You just haven’t found the right person yet. A person who truly understands and can work with it.”

“And how am I supposed to do that? Do I put it in my dating profile?”

Bane smiles, brushing his fingers under my chin. “Be patient. It’ll happen.”

“How are you so sure? I’m in my forties, Bane. If it hasn’t happened by now?—”

“That’s exactly my point. We’re not kids anymore. We’re not dating men who make decisions with their dicks and nothing else. You have a lot to offer.”

I want to believe him, but it’s hard. “I think you’re biased.”

He laughs softly, offering me another bite. “I am biased, but I’m also not lying.”

I take the bite, gazing into sweet brown eyes the color of milk chocolate, and I’m reminded of what Marcus said. Could Bane be the patient man who understands and can work with me the way I am? I wish I could ask, but the idea scares the hell out of me.

“Here you go, guys.” Florian startles me from my thoughts as he appears next to our table. “It’s called Love Potion and it’s the newest signature drink, inspired by you guys.”

My jaw drops as he sets the pretty pink drinks down in front of us. “Inspired by us?”

Florian nods. “Yeah. You both said you like fruity, sweet drinks, and I needed a new special to kick off the school year. I hope you like it.”

He walks off, but I’m still working it out in my head. “Why do you think he made a drink based on both of us?”

Bane shrugs, lifting his glass. “We gave him similar answers for what we like.”

“I guess so.”

Bane takes a sip and his face lights up. “Oh, it’s so good. Try yours.”

I lift my glass and take a tentative sip, but the flavor makes me smile too. “It’s good. Really good.”

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