Elliot keeps his fork down and straightens up. “Do you watch a lot of shows?”
I copy his stance. “I usually put something on in the background when I’m doing brainless tasks like cooking, finishing a report,” I admit, it comes out a bit apologetic.Damnit.
Elliot tilts his head. “Let me guess, sitcoms …or no, reality shows?”
I laugh. “I can’t bethateasy to read.”
He smiles a tiny smile. I mentally pat myself on the back. “Oh, you’re not easy to read at all,” he murmurs. I’m not sure if it was meant for my ears, so I don’t poke it.
“I mostly rewatch my favorite sitcoms, easier to pay attention to work that way. Plus, there’s just something comforting about the predictability. I get enough excitement in my day job as it is.” I immediately regret adding the last part.
But Elliot just hums and looks at me.
“It’s just easier to breathe when I have something familiar to lean back on after work,” I confess. Why do those intense eyes always pull out my most vulnerable thoughts? They don’t even have to be targeted at me to work.
“I meditate before bed. That helps me,” he says, his face soft, understanding.
Ahh,thatexplains the strong nervous system. At least my detective skills aren’t failing me in every aspect. “I could never concentrate long enough to do that,” I admit.
“Not a surprise, Mr. I Need Drama in the Background To Finish Basic Tasks,” he parrots.
I snort out a surprise laugh. “Sitcoms, not dramas. And reality shows are very, very rare.” He raises an eyebrow. “Okay, not that rare. But they’re stupid andfun,” I insist.
He huffs,then picks up his fork.
“I’m so gonna make you watch the stupidest one,” I warn.
He snorts but doesn’t reject the offer outright.
When the bill arrives, Elliot grabs it right out of the waitress’s hands.
“I asked you out, so I’ll pay,” I insist, trying to snatch it from him.
“No, that’s not how it works,” he says, pulling it back.
“Uh… yes, that’s exactly how it works. You wouldn’t know because you aren’t caught up with the trends. There are established rules we must follow, Elliot.”
He narrows his eyes. “There are no rules. You’re making up the rules.”
“C’mon. We can’t be having our first fight about a bill on our first date. What does that say about the future, huh?” I try for a teasing tone, but I doubt it came out that way.
“Everything, if you don’t drop this right now,” he says with finality.
“Ugh. But I’m paying the next time,” I relent.
“Yeah, yeah,” he says. Did he just agree to another date? Yes, he did, and now, he can’t take it back.
When we walk out, I feel satisfied and relaxed. I got little out of him, but at least I know I was right. And with my experience in police work, I know investigations take a lot of time and patience. If only Elliot would cooperate long enough.
We drive back in relative silence. When I instinctively park right behind Elliot’s car, he says nothing about how I knew it was his. I breathe out a sigh of relief.
I walk him to the driver’s seat. I need to get our next meeting confirmed while he’s still poutless and at the lower end of meanness. Vague plans can be poison to new relationships. Look at me, quotingDating for Dummiesword-for-word. Probably. Seems like something it would say.
Elliot turns when he’s right beside the door and tilts his head up. He chews on his lower lip. My eyes drop down without my permission. Should I kiss him? Can I kiss him without getting my head torn off? Wait, that’s no—
“Do you want to come over to my place?” he says casually. But he’s still chewing his lip.
When I told Oliver I was going out with Elliot, he mentioned Elliot doesn’t do relationships, which is perfect. The best case scenario, really. But it would still be cruel of me to make this anything more than casual. If he ever knows the truth, he’ll feel used. I know I would if the tables were turned. And then there’s a chance he’d want this to be a just one-night stand, which Oliver had also warned me about.Thatwould be a disaster.
