“I’ll pay half of it.”
“No.”
“Yes,” I argue.
“Are we having our first fight? I’m not sure I’m prepared for that yet.”
“Just agree with me, and we won’t.” I set my hand on his thigh. “I’m not saying you’re nervous, but if you are, it’s okay. I’m nervous too.”
“We should try not talking about our feelings. It’s easier that way.” Miles pulls into the parking lot of a steakhouse. “It’s important to me to pay.”
“You literally put out a thousand dollars to go on this date. Doesn’t it make me a bit of an ass not to at least go halfsies with you?”
“It’s still my date. I want to pay.”
One I basically asked him to ask me to go on, but I let it go.
As I’m about to get out of the car, Miles says, “No. Like…stay there.”
“Okay…”What’s going on?
Miles gets out, walks around the car, and opens my door. I try not to let my mouth drop open, staring at him, heart thumping and maybe swelling as it computes what’s happening.
“You can get out now.”
“You opened the door for me.”
“Is that weird?”
I smile. “No. It’s incredibly fucking sweet.”
And I really, really like him. Maybe more than I should. Probably more than I should.
I get out, Miles closing the door behind me, then opening the one to the restaurant. He gives his name for our reservation, and the hostess seats us.
“I forgot to ask if this is good. Did you want another kind of food?”
I give him another smile. “This is perfect. You’re very good at this dating thing.”
“I don’t know if I would go that far.”
“I would.”
They take our order, and I get a steak salad, Miles a ribeye and a baked potato. There are moments where things are slightly awkward, or moments of silence, but I think it’s mostly our nerves. Overall, the conversation goes smoothly, and Miles is clearly trying hard to be a perfect gentleman.
“Are you sure I can’t split the bill with you?” I ask when we’re done eating. Good cause or not, I really don’t want him to have to pay a thousand dollars for me in the auction either, but I’m not sure how to handle that.
He shakes his head. “My date, I’m paying.”
“My treat next time, then.” And the time after that, and the next few as well, but I keep that to myself.
“We have to do this again?” he asks, eyes wide.
A laugh tumbles out of my mouth. “Not if you don’t really want to.”
“We’ll play it by ear.”
“Deal.”
