Page 26 of The Heart Shot
“Is that a concern you have?”
His lips twitched. “Can’t say it is.”
A beat passed before I burst out laughing, and he sat back, arms crossed, clearly pleased with his ability to make me laugh. Then Jameson leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table, expression turning serious. “So, I wanted to ask you something.”
I gulped down my coffee, trying not to choke as it burned its way down my throat.
“Mmhmm,” I hummed. The hot drink and my nerves were tied for first place on which was the cause of the acid swirling in my stomach.
He put his hands up, placating. “Just hear me out before you say anything, all right?”
Uh-oh. That can’t be good.
“I would like to take you out on a date. Well,threedates, if you’ll let me.” His eyes went round, cutting straight to my heart like a pair of big puppy-dog eyes. “Maya didn’t elaborate, but she told me you never date. I don’t know why, and you don’t have to tell me unless you want to, but I’d love to take you out if you’ll give me a chance.”
Threedates? That was worse than one. I glanced at the door out of the corner of my eye. Could I make a run for it?
I sighed through my nose. Why was I being so ridiculous about this? Going on a date with Jameson would only show him that we’re no good for each other. He’d see all the things Ben had hated about me and run for the hills.
When I didn’t immediately say anything, his eyes lit with something akin to hope.
“Go on three dates with me and, if there’s nothing between us, if you don’t want to continue, then we’ll part ways, no harm done.” His fingers twitched on the table as if he were resisting the urge to touch my hand.
Three dates. With Jameson.
I needed to say no.This was a terrible idea.
Maya, why did you do this to me?
I tried to open my mouth to decline, but my lips were glued together as a little, dangerous thought slithered in my head. Would it really be so bad? I knew that Maya had my best interests in mind, and wouldn’t set me up with a guy who would be bad for me. And honestly, it wouldn’t take much to be better than my ex.
Three dates, having some fun, and not being alone for oncemightbe okay. Maybe we’d find out the chemistry between us was nothing more than that. Maybe Jameson was dreadfully boring.
The idea was growing on me, though I loathed to admit it.
Smart Elsie immediately started naming stipulations in my head, sensing my answer wasn’t a definitive no.
If you do this, you have to keep your walls up, Elsie. Keep him at a distance at all times. Be like a stone—like concrete—completely unaffected by his charms.
I wanted to roll my eyes at that inner voice begging me not to do this. Next, Smitten Elsie joined the party in my mind.
Would it really be so bad, Elsie? You’ve been alone for so long. What’s the harm in having some fun with a man for once?
Rubbing at my temple, I banished their argument from my mind, risking another glance at Jameson. It would be nice to get Maya off my back about dating, and the people pleaser in me didn’t want to disappoint my best friend.AndSmitten Elsie was right—I had been alone for so long. Though I liked to think I was better off that way, Iwastired of being lonely.
Could I do this? Could I go on a few dates with this ridiculously attractive man and keep my heart closed off? Could I say yes but still protect myself?
Somewhere in asking myself those questions, my mouth made the decision for me.
“Okay,” I conceded. “Three dates. That’s it.”
Jameson’s face lit up like Times Square; the sheer joy in his perfect, white smile had my own lips curving up.
“When do we start?” I asked, taking another sip of my coffee.
“How about tonight?”
This time I did choke, spewing latte all over Jameson.
