Page 9 of Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Obviously, he didn’t think my jokes were funny—it wasn’t the first time I’d said the wrong thing, and I doubted it’d be the last. At least I knew to not add any more to the golfing conversation. I needed someone I could at least joke with, though, or there was no point in putting effort into going out.Sorry, Mom, but looks like it’s not gonna be a love match.
Nick tossed his napkin onto his plate and pulled one of those flossers out of his pocket—the plastic, Y-shaped thing you thread floss through. I watched in horror as he proceeded to take care of business.
So I ask you, what’s worse? A little something between the teeth or flossing at the table? I’m casting my vote for the table. If you must use the floss that’s been in your pocket gathering lint, take it to the bathroom and go to town. Because digging meat out of your teeth is just something I don’t want to see.
“Shall we go, then?” he asked a teeth cleaning later.
I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
The ride home was filled with talk of golf and instrumental music. Being around this guy made me feel tired and boring and blah. When we pulled up to my building, I fought the urge to run for it. “Thanks for dinner.”
“So…” He leaned toward me.
No way he expects a kiss.
On the bright side, at least I know his teeth have been flossed recently.
“I’ve got a huge presentation first thing tomorrow morning, so good night.” I grabbed the door handle and exited the car. I purposely didn’t use the “see you later” line, because I was hoping there wouldn’t be a later. I’d had more than enough.
Chapter Three
I’d lied to Nick last night. I didn’t have a presentation this morning. Actually, I was working from home because I had to meet Stephanie later to get my bridesmaid dress altered. Since it’d always been on the tighter side, I decided to go run off last night’s dinner.
I gathered my hair into a messy bun, grabbed a bottle of water, turned on my iPod, and headed downstairs to work out.
The exercise room was pretty empty, so I didn’t have to wait around for a treadmill. As I ran, I went over my projects in my head. I mentally rearranged the furniture in Mrs. Crabtree’s living room, mixed color schemes, and played with the few items she’d purchased at a gallery in California.
Three miles later, I wiped my face with a towel and took a big swig from my water bottle. I stepped off the treadmill, thinking about all I had to do that day. And came face-to-face with Jake.
“I thought that was you,” he said.
I tugged the earphones out of my ears and blinked, hardly able to believe my eyes. He was wearing long mesh shorts and a T-shirt that stretched tight across his well-defined chest.
Last night after my date, when I’d had trouble falling asleep, I’d thought of all the things I should say to him the next time we ran into each other. But they’d abandoned me somewhere around the time I’d checked out his pecs.
“W-what are you doing here?”Smooth, Darby. Real smooth.
“Same thing as you,” he said. “Going for a run.”
I really wished I wasn’t so sweaty. My face was probably all red, too. “But… You don’t live here? In this building?”
One corner of Jake’s mouth twisted up. “It would be kind of strange for me to go running here if I didn’t live here.”
Heat filled my cheeks and I took another swig from my water bottle. Time for the apology. Then maybe I could stop feeling so guilty and get this guy off my mind. “Look, I’m sorry about the misunderstanding at the restaurant. I just thought you were one of those guys who tells everyone he owns the restaurant or runs the company or whatever to seem impressive. I thought that since I knew everyone, you were lying to try to impress me.”
There. I’d apologized. Now I could move past this guy and get back to my normal life.
“Iwastrying to impress you, but not with my job.” He tucked his thumbs into the pockets of his shorts and shrugged. “I guess I need to work on my skills, because obviously my natural rugged charm wasn’t enough.” He flashed me a smile to punctuate his statement and I tried—and failed—not to let it melt me the tiniest bit.
“Oh, you were plenty charming. Just not enough to make up for being a liar. Which for all I know, you’re not, so again, sorry.”
“Do you always assume the worst in people?”
I crossed my arms. “Yes. That way I’m never disappointed. It saves a lot of time and trouble.”
His eyebrows shot up and his smile faded. It only lasted a moment; then the smile returned. “I guess there’s only one thing to do about that. Let’s go to dinner, and I’ll prove to you I’m not a liar.”
Is he seriously asking me out right now, while I’m all sweaty and makeup-free?My gaze accidentally drifted to his toned chest and arms. My pulse quickened and the temperature in the room climbed even higher. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted.
