Chapter 9
9
L ittle bunny. It’s cute. I like that he’s calling me that.
“First,” I start, feeling flirty, “I need to know … are you a stan ?”
“Stan?”
He doesn’t know the word. More proof he’s older. And maybe Chad Braun. “Like, are you obsessed with me in a cute way … before today?” I can’t believe I phrased it like that. My cheeks flush.
“If the answer is yes, does that make me a stan?” he asks, and I nod, biting my lip. “I guess I’m an Anna Clark stan then.”
I’m tempted to ask his real name, but I’m having too much fun with all of this to ruin the mystery. “You can buy me another one of these cocktails.”
“Same as last time?”
“Yeah.”
He calls over to Aaron. “Another cocktail for the little bunny and me.”
“You really like calling me that.”
“I think it’s perfect for you.” I don’t disagree. “Claire,” he says, getting the red-headed server’s attention. “Can you tell Nicholas and Chris this beer is from us?”
Their server, who’s also got to be in her thirties, takes the beer from his hand. I wish I would have gotten more of a hint there. I can’t tell whether she knows him or not.
“Not a beer guy?” I ask, because Chad is definitely a beer guy.
“I’m a beer guy, but it would be too hard to drink with this mask on.”
I smirk, then lean in slightly. “So, why are you too single?”
“Why are you?”
The lack of options around here … but maybe I haven’t been paying attention to the options.
“It’s not fair that you can see me blushing and smiling, and I have no idea what’s going on under there.” I wave my hand in a circle at the bunny mask.
“Life isn’t fair,” he says, poking my side, making me giggle. I twist a strand of hair around my finger, thinking about how much I like it when he touches me.
“What are you thinking about?”
“How much I’m hoping you’re one of my regulars at La Nonna.”
The bunny is quiet for a beat before responding, “Time will tell.”
“How much time?” I ask, leaning in closer, my curiosity getting the best of me.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“When are you going to decide?” My heart races a little. The anticipation is killing me.
“When I know you’re interested in more than this bunny mask.”
“I’m not interested in the bunny mask!”
“You sure?”
“I’m not a furry!”
He bursts into laughter. “How do you even know what that means?”
“The internet.” I shrug.
Just then, Aaron slides our drinks across the bar, and the bunny reaches for his. “Cheers to our half-blind date.”
I tap my glass against his with a huge smile. Despite the mystery, the banter, and the weirdness, this whole thing is fun. Way more fun than the dark romance read … and the date I went on last night.
“When are you taking me out on a real date?” Whoever he is, I want to know the real him.