Page 71 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
“But what do I do?” I slump on my stool, dropping my head onto her lap. “He said he doesn’t date coworkers. Literally one of the first things he said to me. And I don’t think Fischer is the kind of guy who changes his mind easily.”
As I sit up, it’s clear I’ve stumped her, though she has a determined glint in her eyes as if she’s planning something. I don’t like it. “Maybe you’ll just have to convince him to change his mind, then,” she says.
The door to the restaurant opens, and I get to my feet in case it’s my date. But as soon as I get a good look at the guy, my heart goes wild.
“Welcome to La Bella!” Kinley says brightly. “How many—ow!” She glares at me, but I don’t lessen my grip on her arm.
“Fischer,” I croak.
Kinley gasps.
Fischer glances between us, then looks into the restaurant as if looking for someone else. “Uh, hi,” he says. “Sorry. I thought you would be… The restaurant sounded good and I don’t have any food at home, so I was going to grab some takeout.” He says this to me, even though Kinley is unabashedly gaping at him. “Uh, do you have any recommendations?”
“Micah’s date is late,” Kinley blurts out.
I elbow her ribs, but now she’s grinning.
Fischer glances down at his watch. “It’s seven thirty,” he says, as if I haven’t been counting the minutes.
“I don’t think Pizza Guy is coming,” Kinley says. “Why don’t you join Micah so she doesn’t have to eat alone?”
“Kinz,” I hiss. “He doesn’t want to stay in a crowded restaurant.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course he does.”
Fischer’s eyes dart between us, like he’s trying to understand exactly what our relationship is. His gaze settles on me, warming me to my core. “If you don’t mind…”
“She doesn’t mind!” Quick as a flash, Kinley grabs a menu at the same time she takes my hand, dragging me forward. “I’ve got a table reserved for you.”
Even without looking back, I know Fischer follows us into the restaurant. I don’t usually get embarrassed easily, but I so wish I could melt into the floor right now and end this humiliation. I’m going to be having a stern conversation with Kinley as soon as Fischer leaves, that’s for sure. If Fischer wasn’t completely reserved with his laughter, he would absolutely be laughing right now because this situation is ridiculous.
Kinley shows us to my usual dimly lit table, complete with a wink that I know Fischer sees. He doesn’t react, instead taking hold of a chair and gesturing for me to sit.
“Oh,” I say. Probably because I’ve never had a guy pull my chair out for me. “Thanks.”
Kinley shoots me a wide-eyed look before wandering away. If this were an actual date, he would get major points for that one.
When Fischer doesn’t sit after helping me scoot my chair forward, I cock my head at him. “Are you going to sit down?”
He frowns. “Do you want me to?”
I wish that answer was more obvious. “Kinley was right,” I tell him. “I’d rather not eat alone.” I’m just not sure how I feel about this date turning into an unexpected date with Fischer. It has my palms sweating.
Still hesitant, he looks around the restaurant before settling in the chair across from me. “If Pizza Guy shows up, I can leave.”
“Even if he shows up, I don’t especially want to be on a date with a guy who’s more than half an hour late.”
“Maybe he got stuck in traffic.” Fischer takes his napkin and tucks it onto his lap. “Maybe he got called into work because everyone else got sick, and because you don’t give out your phone number, he didn’t have a way to tell you. Maybe he’s lying in a hospital bed after a horrible accident and he broke his jaw and both hands so he can’t ask anyone to come to La Bella and explain the situation.”
I snort a laugh when I can’t hold it in anymore, and I’m already relaxing. Why was I freaking out so much? Just because I may be starting to have feelings for him, it doesn’t make him a different person. “I appreciate that you’re trying to think positive,” I say with a grin, “but your silver linings are a bit dark.”
He releases his half smile, making me want to reach across the table and take his hand. “I am out of practice, but you’re saying I get credit for trying?”
“Exactly.”
Sarah comes to take our orders, and Fischer asks for her recommendation, making her blush as she lists a few of the more popular items. She gives me a thumbs up as she leaves, though I don’t know how I feel about her thinking this is just another one of my dates.
“I have a comment you may not like,” Fischer says once we’re alone again.
