He peered over me to check the analog clock on the break room wall. “Seven minutes.”
Of heaven, my mind automatically supplied, though I wasn’t sure why. I never played that stupid party game. I never went to parties until college. Even then, I mostly just danced. It wasn’t like Zack and I would make out in the lunchroom either. We had some kind of class…outside of the stacks.
He turned off his phone alarm, so I caught a glimpse of his home screen. No dating apps. No social media. No random girls buying him stuff for attention. No notifications, even.
I wiggled my hips to scoot closer to him. “Did you see Shelby’s text?”
He rubbed his ear. “Yeah. I think we’ll have to get coffee with her and her boyfriend.”
I snorted. Was that the briefest date he could think of? “Her boyfriend’s a barista. He’d probably like to leave the coffee shop at some point.”
“Well, what do you suggest?” he grumbled.
I offered him my tub of sliced veggies. “Everyone likes movies, right?”
He rolled his eyes and took a few carrot sticks. “Yeah, but Shelby’d want to see a rom-com.”
“So? Lots of couples go to those.” Not me and Theo, but I loved cuddling up and watching them at home.
Zack gave me a dead stare. “I don’t want to watch two people get it on while I’m sitting next to my cousin.”
I laughed, then covered my mouth. I shouldn’t get too comfortable. His reasoning might have been about his cousin, but it also might’ve been because we weren't a real couple.
He lowered his voice for once. “What would you think was a fun, PG-rated date on a budget?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a home spa day?” I plucked a firm piece of cucumber from the tub.
He furrowed his brow. “Isn’t that more what you’d do with a friend?”
I shrugged and munched on the snack. My friends preferred to go out for their spa treatments. Theo loved home spa days, though. We’d do matching facials, try new products, and deep-condition our hair. Half the time, it led to massages and sex. The other half, we got Zen. But Zack was a little rougher around the edges. If we did date, what would we do together besides have sex?
Not sports. We did like music, but we probably wouldn’t go to concerts together unless he was in the band. He didn’t go out much, anyway. Working three jobs kinda took over whatever social life he had outside his family. That’s why he brought me in.
He snapped a few carrots between his teeth. “I’m not sure if it’s your scene, but the bar I worked at has pool tables, darts, and a few arcade machines.”
I raised my brows. “I don’t know. Isn’t that what you’d do with your friends?”
“Right.” He rubbed his flushed neck. “I guess that also rules out the gym.”
I rolled my eyes and nudged him with my hip. “I was just messing with you, Zack. I like getting fit, and the bar is great.”
“Really?” He perked up.
“Yeah. But I’m not sure the gym is right for a double date.” Especially if I was squatting in yoga pants. Zack could ogle my ass, but I’d hate for him or Shelby to get upset if someone else inadvertently spared it a glance.
Zack nodded. “Bar it is. We could probably get apps and drinks for the table with my discount.”
“I can pay for myself if you’re worried about the budget.”
“No.” He rubbed his ear and leaned into my side, a wall of magnificent heat. “It’s for my family. My treat.”
“Zack…”
“You bought me a shake when we did your thing,” he said.
My thing, meaning strutting past an ex to rub his nose in our breakup. Oh, and shopping. I’m sure Zack was thrilled that evening. Actually, he did like that red dress on me. Maybe if we went out for Valentine’s Day, I’d have an excuse to wear it.
“Fine. I’ll let you pay,” I said. “Are you going to text Shelby?”
