"Online?" I ask, just to be sure that's what I heard.
"Yeah. Olive made me a dating profile, and he reached out, suggested we meet here tonight."
Motherfucker.
I don't know what my sister thinks she's up to, but I'm going to throttle her, because Sarah has no fucking clue that she was supposed to meet me here tonight. I'm Alex…Jasper Alexander Medlock.
"Sarah, baby girl, that's not exactly accu—"
"I'm never dating again," she mutters, her bottomless blue eyes locked on the tabletop. Even flushed and anxious, she's so fucking sweet, it hurts to look at her. "I didn't even want to come in the first place."
Fuck.
I snap my jaws closed, grinding my teeth. If I tell her the truth, she may walk out of here right now and never look back. My one shot will be over before it even starts.
I can't take that risk. I fuckingcan't.
"He's a prick," I mutter, sliding into the seat across from her. "You deserve better."
I know I'm going to hell for not telling her the truth. But if keeping it to myself means she gives me a chance, I'll make the trip with a goddamn smile on my face. There isn't much I won't do for her.
"Thanks, Jasper." Her eyes are still locked on the tabletop. "And thanks for rescuing me. I a-appreciate it."
"Hey." I slide my hand across the table, covering hers. She startles slightly, her big blue eyes meeting mine. "It's all good, baby girl. At least you don't have to eat with that prick, and I don't have to eat alone." I grin at her. "It's a win-win."
"W-what?" She blinks at me. "You want to have dinner with me?"
"Why not?" I glance around. "You put on that pretty dress. We're already here. Might as well get a meal out of it, right?"
"Are you sure? You don't—"
"Sarah."
Her teeth sink into her fleshy bottom lip.
"I'm sure. Let's eat."
"Okay," she whispers, those wide eyes meeting mine again. And for the first time, I see what Olive tried to tell me earlier. She isn't looking at me like she's afraid of me. She's looking at me like I'm her fucking hero.
Jesus.
I clear my throat roughly, trying to think about anything other than how much I want to drag her across the table onto my lap. My dick is already rock hard, pressing against the fly of my jeans, the same way it always does when she's anywhere near me.
I think I'm addicted to this girl.
I'm also not stupid enough to try to kick the habit.
We sit in silence for a moment before the bartender bounces up to the table, grinning. "So…are you two ready to order now that you handled the creep?" she asks.
Sarah blushes beet red.
"You want the chicken tenders and mac like usual, baby?"
"Uh…" Sarah looks caught off guard before she nods quickly. "Yes, please."
The bartender nods, jotting it down.
"I'll have a steak, bloody. The biggest one you have. With broccoli, mac and cheese, a loaded potato, and asparagus." I glance at Sarah. "You want wine or a Cosmo?"
