Page 36 of Falling into Place
She considered him for a moment and the muscles flexing in his jaw as if he was clenching his teeth from stress.
“So let’s change that.”
His expression was a giant question mark.
“Let’s buy your stuff—those jeans for sure, and whatever else you like—and grab dinner. You can practice small talk with me. That way it won’t be so scary on your first date.”
His lips flattened. “I don’t think I said itscaredme.”
“Your face said otherwise.”
“Okay, let’s do it.” He turned to head back to the fitting room, then paused and twisted around again. “At least tell me this: Did you just hide my old jeans, or did you throw them out?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Chapter Nine
Carly
Single in OKC? In a new relationship and looking for somewhere fresh to take your partner? Or just need to put some excitement back into date night with your spouse? Follow local thirtysomething Brooks as he embarks on a dating tour of the OKC metro, showcasing all the best spots to check out from the new and unexpected to some hidden gems to revisit. Make sure to sign up here for updates and follow us on socials for bonus content!
—Excerpt from pop-up on LiveOKC website
Half an hour later, Carly was on a date with Brooks Martin.
It wasn’t a real one, but still. Her inner teenager did a backflip when he slid into the booth across from her and asked for two drink menus to get them started. If only her middle school nemesis Becky Bennett, who once called Carly “a frumpy girl no guy wanted to kiss,” could see her now.
“Wait,” he said, forehead already furrowed. “I can drink on a date, right? Is that a faux pas?”
“Totally acceptable. Not everyone drinks, though, so you might want to feel your date out first. And hopefully it goes without saying that getting sloppy probably isn’t in your best interest, but otherwise I say it can be a nice way to take the edge off an already nerve-racking situation.”
“The last time I got wasted was before I was even legal to drink, so I think we’re good.”
“College really changed you, huh?” she observed.
“Yeah, I finally got my head on straight.” He picked up a roll of napkin-wrapped silverware and twisted it between his fingers. “Anyway, I’m ready to learn. Teach me your ways, Wise One.”
Carly laughed. “I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I’ve been on my share of dates and go out quite a bit with Sasha, where I’m bound to meet new people. I usually start off with things like where they’re from, what they do for a living, or if they’ve done anything new and exciting around town lately.”
He nodded. “Okay, yeah. That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“It’s not, but it still takes practice,” she said. “Wanna try?”
“Now?”
“That’s what we’re here for, right? Pretend you don’t know me and we’re on a first date.”
“I thought I didn’t have to do an entire dinner on a first date.”
She wouldn’t be deterred by stalling tactics. “You let me pick and this is what I wanted. Because you’re a gentleman you didn’t argue.”
A smile tipped the corner of his mouth.
“We don’t know each other, but I just sat down and you’re struck by my impossible beauty and impeccable fashion sense, and you want nothing more than to impress the hell out of me.” She made a show of getting comfortable and held out her hand. “Hi, Brooks? I’m Carly.”
He stared at her hand for a beat before he sighed heavily. He shook it. “Hi, um. Carly. It’s nice to meet you.”
She placed her hand in her lap and just smiled at him.
