“I think I’d like your mom.” She picks up her glass to take a drink.
“You could have a chance to meet her,” I wink.
Her eyes go wide and she almost spits out her coke. “Woah. That’s a little fast.” She picks up the napkin she was ripping to shreds and pats her mouth. “You’re assuming we’ll make it past this date.” Marie comes back with a pizza, even though we haven’t ordered yet. Serena must see the confusion on my face because as soon as Marie leaves, she says, “It’s the only thing I ever order.”
It’s a pretty big pizza for two people, but I’m starving and know I’ll be able to put a sizeable dent in it. “By the way, I don’t have to assume about another date. I know there will be a next one.”
“Someone is full of themselves.” She gets up to talk to Marie and comes back with two plates. “No more talking. It’s time to eat.” She grabs a slice of pizza and sets it on her plate. “Trust me, you’ll want to eat more than talk once you’ve had your first bite.”
I grab a slice and take a bite before it ever hits my plate. I wonder how many types of cheese Marie used because the flavor explodes in my mouth. The pepperoni is crisp, yet soft, and a moan slips from me. Serena giggles, “Told you.”
And just like that, our conversation has come to a standstill. By the time I’m on my third slice, I’m full. But Serena…she eats without a care in the world. As much as I don’t do relationships, this woman was made for me.
Ten
Serena
“Did you like it?” Bentley is scooting back from the table. The chair scraping across the floor. We’re the only ones in the place, and it feels intimate.
“We may have to get an Uber to get us back to the hotel. I don’t think I can move.” He pats his stomach and groans. “My next practice will be brutal because of this.”
Like he’ll have any issue at practice. I, on the other hand, will have to hit up the tiny gym the airport hotel has. “I’m sure it’ll be so painful.”
“Laugh all you want. I rarely eat like this during the season. Mostly it’s grilled food and things I can work off fast.” He waves his hand over the table, “Believe it or not, this food really slows me down.”
“Do you ever eat comfort food? Or, do you typically only eat health nut food?” I can’t imagine having to eat healthy all the time. I have a small stash of snacks all throughout my apartment.
“Sometimes,” he shrugs. “I reserve most of that for the off season, but still only allow myself a small portion. It’s all about balance.”
“The only thing I balance is a glass of wine in one hand and a cookie in the other.”
His mouth opens wide, shocked by my comment. “That doesn’t even sound good.” He looks around the empty room and nods his head toward the door. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Sure.” Part of me wants to stay here, to keep the date going because I want to see if he has any other soft sides. The other part, however, wants to get the hell out of here. That part is smart. Avoid the possibility of feelings and not get sucked in by his charisma. Even though he acted like a complete ass when we got here, he has more to him. I want to know what that is. If we stay here any longer, I’ll be pulled further in. I don’t have a lifestyle suitable for dating anyone not in my field.
Bentley walks to the hostess stand and pulls out his wallet. Marie is talking animatedly to him, arms flying in every direction, and then she laughs harder than I’ve ever heard her laugh. What is it with this guy and older ladies? They seem to eat out of the palm of his hand. It’s weird. But if Marie is warming up to him, that has to mean something. It took her a while to even interact with Hazel, and she’s my best friend.
He doesn’t come back to the table, so I grab my clutch and head toward them. “You two are mighty chummy. What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing,” Marie waves me off. She pulls me into a hug, “Come back and see me the next time you’re in town.” Bringing me closer to her, she whispers in my ear, “Be careful with this one. He could be a keeper and he’s a smooth talker.”
I simply nod and back away from her. Thanks for putting that thought in my head. Any sign of heartbreak, and I’m out. Her comment just sealed the deal on this going any further.
Bentley reaches for my hand, and I debate taking it. I don’t want to give him the wrong impression, but his hand felt spectacular earlier. I can’t remember the last time I held hands with a man. His are the perfect balance of rough and soft. It almost matches his personality. A hard exterior to hide the soft interior he doesn’t want anyone else to see. Too many conflicting feelings. Those emotions don’t stop my hand from sliding into his, though.
“A car should be here to pick us up in just a few,” he says as we walk toward the door. Then he turns his head toward the stand again. “Marie, I’ll be back next time I’m in town. The food was delicious.”
“You’re welcome back anytime,” she calls out. “Good luck on the rest of your season.”
“Thank you.” He pushes the door open, and a gust of wind hits us. The temperature has dropped since we went inside, and I wrap my free arm around myself to block some of the wind. I’m used to colder temps, but not such a dramatic drop. Hopefully, this doesn’t mean there will be wintry weather and we’ll be stuck here for longer. I’m ready to sleep in my own bed. “I wish I had a jacket to offer you.”
His voice shakes me from thoughts. “I didn’t expect it to get so cold.”
He pulls out his phone and checks an app. “The driver should pull around soon.”
No sooner than the words leave his mouth, a car pulls up to the curb. “Wow. That was fast. How long ago did you set it up?”
“When I went to talk to Marie and pay the bill.” He shakes his head, astonished. “I wish the service was this fast back in Austin. Sometimes you have to wait almost an hour depending on the time of day…and if there is a game happening.”
