Page 56 of Meant to Be

She hesitated, and I could tell I was making slight progress. But then she shook her head, kissed my cheek, and said, “Not tonight, Joe.”

“Why not? What’s wrong with tonight?”

“Because,” she said. “I didn’t bring any of my stuff….”

“What stuff?”

“Stuff to shower and get ready…my toiletries and makeup.”

“You can use my toiletries. And you don’t need makeup,” I continued. “You’re a natural beauty.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Is that a yes?”

“No. It’s not a yes.”

“C’mon. I can call ahead and ask for a private table. Nobody will see us—”

“Yeah, right,” she said with a laugh. “Like you can just go incognito somewhere.”

“I can sometimes. I did in Paris. Nobody knew I was in Paris.”

“I’m suresomeoneknew.”

“Well, the press didn’t…and the press won’t be at El Teddy’s, either.”

“How do you know?”

“Because it’s a neighborhood joint,” I said, running my fingers through her silky hair. “It’s low-key. Nobody gives a shit. And besides…it’s time.”

“Why?” she said. “Why is it time?”

“Because we’ve been together for almost two months.”

“No, we haven’t.”

“If you count Paris, we have. And you haven’t let me take you out one time here…. All we do is have sex in my apartment.”

“And you’recomplainingabout that?” she said with a laugh. “Isn’t that a dream scenario for most guys?”

“Maybe. For most guys. And maybe for me in the past,” I said, being as honest as I could, as if candor could somehow help my case. “But, Cate…I really like you….” My voice trailed off as I felt a surge of unfamiliar nervousness that only grew when she didn’t reply.

“Say something,” I said in a low voice.

She sighed and said, “I really like you, too. You know that.”

I smiled, feeling like a puppy who had just done a trick and gotten a treat. “How much do you like me?”

“A solid amount.”

“Enough to go drink some margaritas with me? Inpublic?”

She let out a long sigh, pretending to be deep in thought. “Okay. Yes. I like you exactlythatmuch. No more and no less.”

I perked up, hoping there wasn’t a catch. “So, you’ll go?”

“Okay. Fine. I’ll go.”

“As in—right now?”

“Well, we should probably put some clothes on first,” she said.

I laughed. “You think that’s necessary?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Call me crazy, but something tells me that peoplewouldnotice if Joe Kingsley walked into El Teddy’s in his birthday suit.”

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