“That’s good.” He smiles, raising his glass to his lips, and I see a flash of an expensive watch. Ooh, I do love a watch on a guy. The sight of it sends a little fizzle of heat along my limbs, and I straighten up, willing myself to concentrate on him. Because he is very nice, indeed.
“So, what do you do for fun?”
“All kinds of things.” His lips tilt at the corner. “I love to get out on the water in summer, go hiking, just get outdoors. When I’m not working I spend a lot of time in the gym.”
I bite my lip, trying extra hard to keep my eyes from wandering over his shoulders and chest. I can already tell he spends time in the gym, and… damn.
“What about you? Do you hit the gym?”
I nod vigorously. “Oh, yeah. I workout… often. Most days if I can.” As I speak I can feel the weight of Myles’s gaze, and I force myself to ignore him.
The truth is that Iusedto go to the gym most days, but it hasn’t been that way for a while now. Between dating and running shop I don’t always have the time, or the energy. But I’m sure I’ll get back into it.
Thinking about the store again, I droop. Because pretty soon, if I lose my store, I’ll have loads of free time. I just won’t be able topayfor a gym membership, or food, or rent. In fact—
“Are you okay?” Shane cocks his head. “You seem a little distracted.”
Shit.
I rub my forehead in agitation. I’m ruining what could be a good date, with a lovely, sexy guy. I’m supposed to be dazzling him, making him laugh and charming him with my bubbly personality and fascinating life. Instead, I’m letting myself be pulled into a whirlpool of self-pity.
“We can do this another time if you like,” Shane says kindly. He surveys my face for a second. “Look, I’m just going to say it. You’re better in person than I thought you’d be and I’d like to see you again. If tonight isn’t good, then let’s reschedule. I can take you out for dinner.” He glances around us with a grimace, then looks back at me, adding, “Someplace nice.”
A relieved laugh rises up my throat. I’m really off my game tonight, and I would like to see him again when I can make a better impression. “That would be great. I’m sorry, I actually forgot we were meeting tonight. And I’m just, uh, not feeling very well. But I would like to see you again, too.”
He grins, finishing his whiskey and setting the glass down. “Great. Well, I hope you feel better. I’ll text you tomorrow, okay?”
I nod, then before I can say anything, he leans across to kiss me on the cheek. He smells like delicious cologne, and my heart flutters when his lips brush my skin. I watch as he stands and pushes his way through the growing crowd, no doubt relieved to be getting out of here.
But I don’t care. Because he’s nice and he likes me. And don’t get me started again on how attractive he is.
With a happy sigh, I turn to the bar. Now I can get back to the matter at hand: figuring out what to do about my business. I’ll head home, get into my PJs, and start coming up with ideas. Worry knots my stomach as I think about the shop and I quickly try to push it away.
“You scared him off?” Myles slides another drink across the bar to me.
I hesitate. I was about to head home, but one more drink would take the edge off my nerves. “No, we just agreed to catch up another time.” I reach for the glass and take a sip. “I’ve got too much on my mind with work.”
“Yeah, that was interesting,” Myles says, clearing Shane’s glass from the bar. “What you said about how business is great? I thought you were having some issues?”
“Oh. Well, yeah, I am. But I’m not going to say that on a first date. You have to put your best foot forward, right?”
“Is that why you told him you go to the gym everyday, too? And that you’re on great terms with your ex?”
Irritation trickles down my spine. “Did you listen to our entire conversation?”
“I caught parts of it, yeah. Do you always lie on dates?”
My jaw tenses. “I wasn’tlying. I mean, Iusedto go to the gym every day, and I’dliketo be on better terms with Mark, so it’s not that far from the truth.”
Myles lifts his eyebrows, folding his arms over his chest.
“But, you know, it’s a first date,” I continue. “I’m not going to sit there and tell him my ex is making my life awful and I haven’t made time for the gym lately. It doesn’t look good.”
“And you don’t feel like you’re misleading him?”
“I’m not—”
“You never tell guys your full name, either. What’s that about?”
