Amanda turns to me. “Any thoughts, Carrie?”
“No.”
It’s unlike me, but the man lump to my left has wrecked my night.
“Well, that’s a wrap, guys!” Lynn starts packing up. “For next time, what do y’all think of Friday, October eighth?”
“It’s a yes from me,” Donovan says, jotting the date down in his notebook.
Is he taking notes? Un-fucking-believable!
“Oh, because you’re planning to come back?” I blurt out.
“I had a great time, so yeah, I’d love to come back.” He smiles. “Unless you want to give me an intensive refresher course this month, that is.”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
He shrugs.
“I’m not sure about the eighth,” I tell the group. “I might be on death row by then.”
I push back my chair and sling my backpack over my shoulder, and as I turn to leave, I lock eyes with Donovan. It’s just a split second, but the way he’s looking at me makes me feel awkward. I’m not usuallysuch a bitch, and it doesn’t feel good. But then I remember how he’s been stalking me for the past few days and can’t take no for an answer, and the guilt evaporates as I turn on my heel and leave.
I’m in a crappy mood as I fling open the doors, and I’m starving, too. My plan is to take my rage out on the nearest double cheeseburger.
I’m rooting in my bag for my wallet, when a huge, unmoving wall appears in front of me.
“You walk super fast for such a small person,” he says breathlessly.
I look up. Donovan towers over me.
“I may be short, but that just puts me in striking distance of your balls,” I snap back.
“What’s with the ball obsession?”
“It’s all I ever think about,” I bite back, with a broad smile.
“Did you eat?”
Just as he asks, my stomach rumbles.
“Same here.” He laughs, pushing back a strand of hair. “Wanna grab a bite?”
This time, I soften my voice. Maybe I can kill him with kindness instead.
“I’m okay, thank you.”
“Oh, come on!” Donovan throws out his hands. “I’ll even let you sneak a few of my fries. I’m sure we have a bunch of stuff in common.”
I laugh. “We have absolutely nothing in common, trust me.”
He shrugs. “Not true. We both have a solid sense of humor.”
“Not true.” I shake my head. “I’m way funnier than you. And on that note—good night!”
I take a step to the left, and he mirrors me, blocking my way again. I shift to the right, and he follows suit.
“Okay—now you’re starting to creep me out.”
