Chapter 19
Nineteen
Val
As soon as Kaden set foot into my house I knew I was done for. This man was handsome. The way he looked at me made the butterflies in my stomach flutter even harder than they had been prior to his arrival.
I was a complete mess, and he still looked at me like I was the only woman in the room. I was. But still.
When he gestured for me to put my foot in his lap so he could clasp the buckle for me? It was the most swoon worthy moment I had ever had in my entire life. I had read about romantic gestures like that but assumed they only happened in books. I never expected something like that to happen to me.
I didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. I shook the thought from my mind the second it crept in.
Trauma is so annoying. I hated how everything I had been through contributed to my screwed up brain.
Wanting to trust but not being able to. The flashbacks and nightmares, the fact that sometimes I’m just a plain asshole to people when I don’t mean to be.
I don’t think people realize the different ways you can be affected.
“Are you ready?”
Kaden snapped me out of whatever rabbit hole I was starting to go down.
He smiled and offered his arm, which I gladly accepted.
He had graced me with his presence wearing a pair of black jeans with a dark blue shirt.
He had left the top two buttons undone and I was able to see the silver chain he was wearing.
His sleeves were rolled back to his elbow which was a weakness of mine, exposing his tattooed arms. “As ready as I’ll ever be. ”
He escorted me to his truck, opening the door and helping me step up into it. “So, where are you taking me?” I pried.
Kaden smiled. “That’s for me to know, and you to find out.” He ensured I was in and shut the door. I couldn’t help but giggle as he appeared to scurry around the front of the truck to hop in, not leaving me to my own devices for too long.
The ride to the restaurant was silent, which left me feeling slightly concerned. Should I have tried to initiate a conversation? I know I'm nervous, but maybe he is too?
Pulling up to the restaurant my stomach growled, breaking the silence. “Good thing you're hungry,” Kaden chuckled.
My eyes grew wide. “Endless Kai.” I had heard some of the other gym goers talk about this place but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “I can’t wait to try it!”
When we got inside, there were rows after rows of buffet tables complete with what felt like a million different varieties of sushi.
Toward the back, I could see a few hibachi tables set up with guests oo-ing and ah-ing over the flames and one kid attempting to catch a shrimp in his mouth.
I couldn’t help but giggle as it smacked him right in the middle of his forehead.
Off to the right, there was a row of decadent dessert options. Kaden even pointed out a build your own sushi counter. This place is immaculate.
“This way please.” The host showed us to our table, which was off in a more intimate section of the restaurant.
The backs of the booths met the ceiling, and there was a curtain we could close on the outside of the booth for a private dining experience.
“Your server will be with you shortly to get your drinks.”
Kaden nodded at the host. “Thank you.” This man was going to send me over the moon simply by having manners. I laughed at myself realizing how crazy it sounded.
When I looked up he was staring back at me with a raised brow. “Care to share with the class?” He winked and I melted all over again. Keep it together, Val.
“It’s nothing, really.” I cleared my throat and quickly changed the subject. “Have you ever been here before?”
Of course he’s probably been here before. I shook my head. Why would I even ask that?
The server broke the awkwardness by coming over and getting our drink orders. He ordered water while I decided on unsweet tea with lemon.
I heard Kaden sigh. “I’ve been here a couple of times. Once with Arlo and,” he paused, “once with my ex.”
“Oh.” I felt bad for bringing up a question which could make him think about or bring up his ex.
She appeared to be an equally sore subject to him as talking about James was to me, so I understood.
“Shall we?” I stood up quickly, ready to go load up a plate with some sushi.
I wasn’t sure how or if he knew it was one of my favorite food groups but he was sure to figure it out by the end of the night.
Plus, this gave us a chance to change the subject without being all awkward too.
I made it back to the booth right before he did and got myself all situated, practicing with the chop sticks a few times to give myself a little refresher on how to use them. I was never good with them, but I could fake it til I made it with ease.
Kaden slid into the booth sitting across from me and he shut the curtains. Something about that made the entire experience feel sexy and almost illegal. “So, Val. Tell me something about yourself no one else knows.”