Page 51

I frown. “What are you doing?”

“Hey, what are you up to this evening, Marcus?” She pauses and gives me a look as she speaks into the phone. “You want to go dancing?”

“Really, Rosie?” I say, but she spins around and ignores me.

“Perfect. I can be ready in thirty minutes. Want to meet at Gringo’s? Perfect.” She hangs up. “Do you mind if I take a shower? I don’t want me and my wet panties going on a date. I wouldn’t want Marcus thinking anything.”

“Rosie, what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m going dancing with the nice guy. I think we’re done here for the night. We can pick up again tomorrow.”

“If you go, I’ll go.”

“You’ll go where?” She narrows her eyes and stares at me.

“I’ll also go to Gringo’s.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m glad you’ve got one thing right about me.” I stand up and pull her into my arms. “I can be the craziest man alive.”

Chapter Eleven

ROSIE

“I was so happy to get your call tonight, Rosie. You just don’t even know.” Marcus hands me a bright pink rose as I meet him outside the dance club. “By the way, you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you. You didn’t have to get me a flower.”

“I wanted to. Rosie deserves roses.” He groans. “Okay, maybe that was super cheesy.”

“Just a little bit.” I laugh. “I’m glad I called you too.”

I feel guilty at my words. Not because they’re not true, but because Marcus seems like a nice guy, and he seems really into me, and I only called him because Brett was confusing me and getting on my nerves.

“I was just happy to hear you were interested in getting to know me better.”

“I am,” I say with a quick nod. “And I mean it.”

“I’m really excited to get to know you too. By the way, I want you to know I’m not the best dancer in the world, but I’ll try my best.”

“Sounds good to me. Shall we go inside?”

“Of course.”

We head over to the bouncer, who asks for IDs and then says tickets are twenty dollars each. I reach into my wallet, but Marcus looks at me with an appalled expression.

“No, this is a date. I’m paying.” He holds up his wallet and offers me a shy smile.

“But I’m the one who invited you.”

“You’re the lady, and I’m the gentleman, and as such, I will pay. If we go on many more dates, you can pay for one or two.” He looks at me hopefully. “But for the first date, I want it known that I paid.”

“Well, thank you, Marcus. That’s really nice of you.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulls out his wallet and starts counting singles. “I feel a little embarrassed, but …”

“Hey, you need some cash?”