“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I doubt it’ll go that far.”
Even if I do have a bit more hope with this guy than usual. I’ve never been much for sleeping with men on the first date. Or even the fourth. Oh well.
“Either way, I’m here. This is just for me to get a better idea of what exactly is leading to your . . . date-destruction.” He glances past me again. “He’s asking the girl who sat us about you. Good luck, Bree. Just remember to give him a slim chance here. And if you need me to cut in and pull you away, just do something that I’ll know meanshelp.”
When he stands, my heart clunks nervously in my chest as I remain looking forward at him, too much of a wuss to look to see if Leo’s coming over. My best friend’s familiar chuckle relaxes me just enough that I don’t feel like I’m going to faint.
“Don’t go too far,” I blurt out, having to hold my hands together in my lap to keep from reaching for him. “I don’t know how soon I’ll start waving my hands around like a lunatic.”
His eyes turn my favourite shade of blue as he tucks my hair behind my ear and nods, lowering his voice to a rough whisper. “I’ll be close.”
Then he’s gone, and I’m left sitting alone. Inhaling deeply, I pull my shoulders back and look to the entrance. The Goliath of a man notices me this time and offers a smile as recognition registers in his dark gaze. I hold my breath when he starts my way, appearing much more confident than I feel.
“Aubrey?”
I force my chin down into a nod before standing. I regret that choice almost instantly when I realize there was no point to it. What am I supposed to do now, shake his hand like I’ve just walked into a meeting? With a rough laugh, I sit back down while he takes Finn’s empty seat.
“Yes. You must be Leo.”
“That’s me. And at the risk of sounding overly interested, you are far more beautiful than in the photo my cousin showed me.”
My face goes up in flames beneath the weight of his deep brown eyes. There’s something demanding about them, and I feel myself being drawn to stare at him, losing my tongue in my airway when I give in. I’ve felt this sensation before, but it’s usually isolated to the courtroom. This man isn’t as innocent as Finn made him out to be. Instead, I think he’s the opposite, and that has me bristling slightly.
I dislike being at a disadvantage, and I have a feeling that Leo is used to women behaving that way around him.
He’s a man who knows how good-looking he is and uses it to his advantage, making women feel less confident and like they need to agree with everything he says just so they don’t risk losing his attention.
Andfuckinghell. I’ve just done it again.
In another life, I’ve got an office in my mega-mansion with a Ph.D. on the wall and a man crying into a tissue in front of me as I read his entire personality to filth.
Floundering, I wipe my sweaty palms on my thighs and sweep my eyes over the tables around us. It doesn’t take me longer than a skipped heartbeat to find Finn. He’s sitting three tables back, pretending to stare at his menu with his sunglasses shielding where he’s truly looking. I can feel his gaze, though. It’s not enough to pull me from my thoughts, but it does slowly ease the tightness in my lungs.
His menu shifts an inch lower, revealing a small, encouraging smile. I stare at it for a moment before looking back up into tinted lenses.
“Maybe I said that too soon. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Leo says, yanking my eyes back to him.
“Oh, no, you didn’t offend me. I’m a bit rusty when it comes to dating.” I reach for Finn’s half-empty glass of water and take a sip. “I appreciate the compliment. When I saw you, I thought the same.”
A charming grin shadowed by neatly trimmed facial hair flashes at me. “I was hoping I wouldn’t disappoint.”
“Definitely not.”
“I wasn’t late, was I? You haven’t been sitting here alone for long?”
“No. Just long enough to order this.” I tap the glass as I fib.
He nods and reaches for his menu. I tongue my cheek and scroll over my own, rereading the list of items for the thousandth time already.
“Are you much of a drinker?” he asks.
I look up, searching for a sign of expectancy in his features, but come up short. “I enjoy one after a long day or on a first date.”
“Likewise.”
Is that it?
“What’s your drink of choice?”
