Page 23 of Finding Romance
“I mean, I’ve been on a few dates,” I interject, not wanting it to seem like I have lived under a rock or something.
“Do you want dating practice?” Kasen asks me and now I’m really hoping a portal to another dimension will open or an alternate universe. Something? Anything?
“Guys, it’s fine. Really. I should be focusing on Aunt Cornelia,” I insist.
“I can take you out,” Kasen offers. I freeze as I start to stand and then slowly realize I look crazy and finish standing.
“It’s OK. You are so busy. You don’t have to do that,” I state.
“I think Kasen would be a great man to take you out on a date so you can practice,” Al says with a big smile.
“What do you say?” Kasen adds.
I’m clearly not escaping this. “Fine. One practice date,” I say because I just want to get this mortification over with.
“Who’s going on a practice date?” Drew says from behind Kasen. For the love of God! Will this embarrassment ever end?
“We are,” Kasen announces as he uses his free hand to point at me.
Drew looks from Kasen to me. “Girl, Kasen is going to ruin you for real dates, but hey, it’s your dating funeral. Cheerio, lads and lasses,” Drew says with a wave as he walks over to the café.
Kasen groans.
“Well, I’m off for my walk. You kids have fun on your date. I can’t wait to hear all about it,” Al says cheerily.
“I gotta open the register. Feel free to eat here,” Roxy suggests as she leaves me standing in front of Kasen who is holding a tray of drinks and a bag of food.
“Come on, let’s go eat and we can plan this pretend date,” Kasen says as he pushes the door open with his perfectly tight ass.
My face remains red the entire elevator ride upstairs. This is definitely going to kill me. How am I supposed to go on a practice date with this man that I have a crush on? I’m so screwed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kasen
It only takes one minute and twenty-seven seconds, give or take, to determine that Piper really doesn’t know much about dating. She can quite literally count all the dates she’s been on with her fingers and toes.
I swear with each of my questions her face turns a darker shade of pink.
“So, you really haven’t dated much,” I state, a little shocked.
Her face darkens again into an almost red hue. She nods and keeps her eyes on her feet. I reach out and slowly push her face up with my forefinger. Eventually, her eyes meet mine.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed about or embarrassed about, little escape artist. It just seems to be that you’ve managed to escape romance altogether. But we’re going to work on that and find you the romance you deserve,” I assure her. I shouldn’t be around this woman. She’s too damned tempting. But I can’t let some jackass ruin her heart because she is unsure of herself on a date. I can do this. I can help her. And then she’ll leave and I can move on with life knowing I did something good.
“I have a college degree. I’m a full-grown woman and don’t know the first thing about dating. It’s so embarrassing,” she whispers as if someone else will hear her. I drop my finger.
“First, you said you’ve technically been on twelve dates. Three with one guy, two with three others, and one with three others. So, you have dated. But you also said that ten of those dates were in high school with boys you had class with, so children. No offense, but you were all not experienced, so of course they sucked at dating too. And it sounds like the two college dates were with jackasses who only wanted one thing.”
She looks at me confused for a second and then that pink color returns. Damn, she’s innocent. I’d ruin her for sure. Time to turn on the big-brother vibe. I’m always happy to play that card with any of women in the building—since they are the only women I see on the regular.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asks.
“Yes,” I assure her.
She puts her hands on her hips and gives me a sassy look. “What are your credentials?”
I nearly choke on my saliva. “Are you questioning my experience?” I growl.
