It’s a cozy alcove tucked away from the main restaurant, with two booth-style tables positioned across from each other, aboutsix feet apart. The space feels intimate yet private, with red velvet curtains draped along the walls, enclosing it from the rest of the bustling restaurant. A grand chandelier hangs low in the center of the alcove, its warm, golden light casting soft shadows and a faint glow over the dark wood tables and plush seating.
Chewing nervously on my bottom lip, I look at Matt. He takes off his hood, and I inhale deeply as I watch the security guards take their positions off to the side by the bar, looking like they belong as staff, not necessarily security.
As I look around at the room’s opulence, I take in the romantic atmosphere. All it does is make me more anxious as to why we are here. “This is really beautiful, Matt.” I look up at the ceiling. “But, like, for a first date, don’t you think this is a bit… extravagant?” I ask.
“I like to impress.” He smiles.
I tilt my head. “Well, yeah, but Logan’s going to think I came up with this and that I can afford all this…” I wave my hands around, “… extravagance. What if he expects this from me all the time?”
Matt frowns. “Shit! I didn’t think. Well, if it goes well with Logan, whatever you guys want to do for your future dates, I’ll pay.”
I screw my face up and scoff. “Matt!”
“Is that not the right answer?”
“No… sonotthe right answer, Matt.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Levine, your date has arrived. She’s coming through now,” the waiter interrupts us, and Matt looks at me with creased brows.
I huff. “It’s fine, go… have a good night.” I walk off to my table, leaving him to be with Jaci. He watches me walk away, and I take a seat at my table, picking up the bottle of champagne from the bucket and opening it, pouring myself a glass while waiting for Logan.
I take a sip, watching for Jaci to walk in.
Matt looks nervous as he holds the bunch of roses in one hand and wipes his other hand on his jeans. I snort slightly as I take another sip of the crisp, cool sparkling champagne. Suddenly, she rounds the corner. The champagne sticks in my throat, and I choke on it slightly, coughing and spluttering. So much for trying to remain inconspicuous as she walks in like a freaking supermodel.
Her hair flows down her left side in a beautiful brunette braid, highlighting the way her cheekbones frame her slim, pale face perfectly. The mulberry lipstick plumps her lips in such a way that it makes even me want to kiss them. And as I look from her flawless face down her curvaceous body to the below-knee-length white lace dress she’s wearing, I think she screams virtue and innocence. Everything about her is the total opposite of me as I sit here in my short blue dress, showing cleavage, with my aqua hair, tattoos, and piercings, and I can’t help but think how polar opposite we are in every facet of the word.
Taking another sip of champagne, I bite my lip as she looks at Matt. I’m far enough away that I won’t be able to hear anything they’re saying because of the soft melodic music playing over the speakers, but they stare at each other for a second or two, and I wonder if they’re going to spend the entire evening just looking at each other.
“Say something, Matt,” I murmur into my champagne glass, and as if on cue, he steps forward, handing her the flowers.
She smiles wide, a little too wide, and her eyes seem to sparkle as if she’s realized something.
Crap! Maybe she knows who he is.
Her eyes enlarge, and her grin is so ridiculously wide she almost looks like a cartoon character. With that, I watch Matt’s body visibly sink like he’s not happy. I chew on my bottom lip, wondering what’s going on. When she grabs his hand andattempts to pull him toward where she came in, Matt stills, tensing his body. I sit up taller as he shakes his head, and her smile falters, but she nods, and they walk to their table to take a seat.
I try not to be obvious about watching them because I don’t want to seem like some weird stalker or anything. To distract myself, I turn and look down at my cell, realizing that Logan is now officially five minutes late.Great.
Sighing, I take another sip of my champagne. My stomach is unsettled as Matt and Jaci start their date, and I can’t help but feel a little annoyed that Logan hasn’t arrived. Maybe he isn’t going to show at all. As I twiddle my thumbs, I risk a glance over to Matt, who is talking with Jaci—it appears to be going okay. She laughs, and I sink a little further into my chair.
Another ten minutes pass, and now Logan is officially fifteen minutes late. I’m a glass of champagne down, and Matt and Jaci have had bread brought to their table. Soon, the menus will come out, and I’ll be here on my own like the loner that I am.
Dammit.
This was a mistake.
My stomach’s in knots.
When I look over to Matt with Jaci, she laughs again, and I can’t take it anymore. I stand, grab my bag, and head for the main entrance when the waiter walks in with a man. A really attractive man. A man who looks a lot like the profile pic of Logan. He’s looking concerned and a little sweaty as he pants out of breath.
“Ah… Alex, your date has arrived,” the waiter announces as I glance from him to Logan, who looks at me with sad eyes.
I bite my lip and nod. “Thanks.” The waiter walks off, and Logan stares at me, taking a deep breath. His chest is rising and falling, making me aware that his body is most definitely toned under his shirt. His jaw clenches, and the almost full beard onhis face is a stark difference to Matt, but I like it. It gives him a rougher edge, but his face still holds a boyish charm.
His lips turn up in a half-smile, and he reaches out for my hand, which I let him take. “I’m so sorry,” he simply says, and I take a deep breath and nod.
“I was just about to leave,” I reply honestly.
