Page 32 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
“Everything sounds pretty good,” he says, which generally is code for ‘order whatever you want.’
Another point in his favor, not that I’m material enough to care what a guy makes. I can take care of myself financially. But I do appreciate someone who sees a date as an opportunity and not a line on a budget report.
“Everything is delicious,” I say. “I’ve tried everything on the menu, so I’m happy to make recommendations if you need them. I’ll probably go with the chicken parmesan tonight.”
Our server, Sarah, arrives before Brennan can respond to my comment about recommendations, and she gives my date a quick once over before smiling professionally at the pair of us. Hmm, she doesn’t seem impressed by Brennan’s outward appearance. Interesting. “Welcome to La Bella. My name is Sarah. Can I get started on some drinks for you guys? Would you care for a wine list?”
Brennan glances at me as if trying to decide his response based on my expression. “A wine list would be great.”
Hmm, lost himself a point with that one. It’s okay, though. Just because I don’t drink, it doesn’t mean he can’t. I’ll have to pay attention to how much he drinks and if his demeanor starts to change.
Brennan chooses a red wine after giving me another searching glance, and he lets me order my own food rather than telling Sarah my order for me.
“So,” he says as soon as we’re alone. “Micah. You must come here often.”
“It’s my favorite restaurant.”
“Do you live nearby?”
I know the question is innocent, but I made the mistake once of letting a date pick me up, and he wouldn’t leave me alone for weeks after that. He would show up with flowers or wait outside my door to ask me out again, and I started running out of excuses to turn him down gently. He was a nice enough guy, but there was no chemistry. Eventually, I had to ask my brother Chad to convince him to move on.
I don’t know what Chad said to him, but he disappeared after that and never returned.
A few guys have tried to figure out my address by asking nonstop questions, so now I do everything I can to keep them from finding me if I don’t want them to.
“I come here because everyone is so friendly,” I say without answering his question.
He doesn’t seem to mind. He matches my smile with his own easy grin and settles at the back of his chair. “I’m glad you suggested it. And I’m glad I didn’t scare you off with my stupid line at the park. I was just so eager to talk to you that I wasn’t thinking straight.”
Aww, he knows he came on a bit strong. His apology makes me smile wider and tack on a few more points. “Tell me about yourself, Brennan.”
By the time we finish dinner, I’ve learned Brennan is twenty-four and is currently in between jobs, but he has had some promising interviews with a couple of tech companies, so he’s feeling hopeful. He rents an apartment on the other side of town from me and lives with a roommate who’s an accountant. They have a goldfish they named Barry, though Brennan is convinced the fish has been dead for a couple of days, but his roommate thinks otherwise and refuses to flush it. He’s funny and smart, and he doesn’t drink much of his wine even though he says it pairs really well with the salmon he ordered. He even makes an effort to ask me questions rather than strictly talking about himself.
All in all, it’s a pretty decent date, and I’ve smiled more than I have on a date in a while. But does that mean we’ll go out again? I’m not sure yet.
I decline dessert now that I know he’s living off of savings while he finds a job. His pout of disappointment would be cute if it wasn’t overdone, but at least I know he’s interested as he pays the check and walks me out.
“I had a great time tonight, Micah. You are a beautiful woman, and I could listen to you talk about planning parties all day. Could…” Ducking his head, he takes a deep breath before pushing forward. “Could I kiss you goodnight?”
On a first date? He’s not the first one to take that leap—he’s one of the few who have asked permission first—but he might be the first one to look truly nervous about it.
Maybe that’s why I say yes. Or maybe because I get more desperate with each failed date. Either way, Brennan moves in and plants one on me.
And I feel nothing.
Not even a little thrill of excitement or a flutter of butterflies. Disappointment floods through me even as Brennan grins and walks away in triumph, not realizing he never asked for my number so he can plan another date.
I’m not going to call him back to give it to him. Why do they always forget that part? Now I’m going to have to deal with another bouquet of flowers—at least I love flowers—and pretend to lose the card with his phone number on it.
And Fischer is going to give me that look of judgment that he’s been giving me whenever he sees a new bouquet. I don’t know why I care what he thinks, but I do.
Sighing, I slip back into the restaurant because Kinley is going to want an update about my most recent failed date. As long as she has some cheesecake waiting for me, the night will end on a positive note.
Even if my heart has cracked a little bit more. Maybe someday I’ll find someone who ignites that spark inside of me I’m so desperate to find, but the longer I go and the more people I meet, the harder it is to keep that hope burning bright.
Chapter Ten
Micah
