CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
“Know her? Please. I choreographed an entire set once to ‘Know That You Are Loved.’”
“You just became ten times cooler.”
I laughed again and felt my shoulders relax for the second time all night. The conversation flowed after that, smooth and easy. He told me about growing up in East London, about coming to the States for college football, and how he has dinner with his mom and younger sister at least once a week.
The waiter came to clear our plates, and I hadn’t even realized how long we’d been talking. Daniel leaned back in his seat, arms stretched a little, relaxed and easy in a way I envied. He hadn’t pushed, hadn’t crowded me, just let the night unfold and I appreciated that more than I knew how to say.
Still, something was missing.
Not from him. He was smart, funny, magnetic in that confident-wide-receiver kind of way. But the spark wasn’t there for me, not the way it’d been earlier when Nathan’s fingers brushed mine as he wrapped the bandage around my paper cut and held my hand just a second too long.
Daniel watched me for a moment, like he knew exactly what I was thinking, then he smiled gently.
“Can I tempt you with something sweet before we call it a night?”
I blinked. “Dessert?”
“Yeah. Figured if I’m getting friend-zoned tonight, I might as well go down swinging with chocolate lava cake and the best espresso in LA.”
I laughed, startled by how smoothly he said it, like it wasn’t rejection but just reality.
“I’m sorry,” I said, lowering my voice a little. “You’re great. You really are.”
“I know.” He winked. “And you’re not exactly forgettable either. But I think we both know your mind’s somewhere else tonight.”
It was. I didn’t bother pretending otherwise.
“I really did have a good time,” I said softly.
“Me too,” he said, grinning. “But the lava cake’s still happening. Can’t let me walk outta here with a bruised ego and no chocolate.”
The way he said it was light, playful, and had just enough charm to soften the blow which made me smile despite myself.
“No we can't,” I giggled. “Let's get some cake.”
***
DATE #3: THE SINGER
WOMEN LOVE MEN that can sing.
History has shown that girls of all ages lose their minds over a guy who can carry a note and I’m not ashamed to admit that I am no better than the women who have come before me.
While my date with Daniel went well, there weren’t any sparks. The kind that sent my whole body ablaze from the inside out. The type to make me lose all cognitive ability and forget the simplest of things like my own name.
Like Nathan does.The little voice in my head said, making me physically scowl at the strawberry margarita that I was currently nursing. The voice was there on my date with Daniel and again on my date with Rhett Finley, a mutual friend of Kelsey’s and the lead singer of Panic at Sunrise.
Rhett was exactly the kind of guy women lost their mind over. Golden-blond hair that curled just right at the ends, tattoos that told stories he probably didn’t remember with a voice smooth enough to melt panties in every state, and that reckless rockstar charm that said I’ve lived and I know it.
It was all being wasted on me tonight.
“Tell me the truth,” Rhett said, smirking as he traced the rim of his whiskey glass with his index finger. “You’ve seen my Tiny Desk, haven’t you?”
I smiled politely. “I have.”
He leaned forward like he’d just won something. “And?”
“You’ve got talent,” I said honestly. “The live version of Shadow Kiss is actually better than the studio one.”
Rhett’s brows lifted, impressed. “Didn’t think you’d know that track. Most people skip it.”
“I don’t skip music. I choreograph to it.”
He nodded like he approved, then reached out and brushed his hand over my wrist. “That explains the dancer's body.”
I stiffened.
It wasn’t explicit, but the way his fingers lingered was far too familiar for a first date. Especially one that had been going south since minute ten.
I shifted in my seat, pulling my arm back gently under the pretense of wanting a sip of my margarita.
“Thanks,” I said with a tight smile. There was nothing wrong with Rhett.
He was charismatic, confident, and by every female fantasy metric, a great catch.
But it felt like we were sitting at entirely different tables.
He was vibing for chemistry. I was trying not to count how many exits there were in case I had to fake an emergency.
Still, I kept it polite. He was friends with Kelsey, after all. And I didn’t want to be rude.
“So, what kind of music do you choreograph to?” he asked, leaning back lazily in his seat. “Are you more of a beat drop girl or a slow grind type?”
I opened my mouth to answer but mercifully, his phone rang.
Rhett glanced at the screen then at me. “Sorry, gotta take this. It’s my drummer. He wouldn’t call unless it was important.”
“Take your time.” I smiled, grateful for the break. Rhett stood and paced a few feet away. I took the opportunity to sink back into my seat and exhale.
When he came back a moment later, he was rubbing the back of his neck. “Hey, so my drummer’s car broke down, and he’s stranded with all our gear.”
“Oh no,” I said, trying to sound appropriately concerned but feeling relieved.
“Yeah, I’ve gotta go help him out. Do you mind if we cut this short?”
“Not at all.”
“You’re fun, Elise. Real fun.” His eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second longer than necessary. “I’d like to see you again. Maybe do something just you and me? No distractions.”
“Maybe,” I said.
Inside my head: Hard pass.
He paid the bill like a gentleman, leaned in obviously for a kiss but I turned my head, so he kissed my cheek instead and gave me a wink that probably worked better on groupies, then left, leaving me to nurse my fruity drink alone at one of the hottest bars in West Hollywood on a Saturday night.
I was gathering my things to leave when I bumped into someone. The delicious scent of sandalwood and fresh linen hit me, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Elise.”
The sound of my name wrapped around me like a lover’s touch.
“Mr. Edge,” I replied, hoping I didn’t sound as breathless as I felt.
“We’re way past formalities, don’t you think?” Nathan said, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Call me Nathan.”
My chest tightened. “What are you doing here?” I asked, sharper than I intended. Not angry, just exposed, like he could see I’d spent the entire date thinking about him.
His mouth twitched, catching every layer of my tone. “I do have a life outside the office, Elise.”
“Are you with someone?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Sounds like you’re curious about my dating life,” he replied, amusement laced through his voice.
“I’m not,” I scoffed, though I knew he knew I was lying. “Just wanted to warn the poor girl who wasn't wise enough to stay away from you.”
“No, I’m not with anyone,” he answered, eyes locked on me. “And I can’t help but notice you’re alone. Is the date not going well?”
I hesitated. “I didn’t like him.”
“Good,” Nathan said, satisfaction or maybe relief flickering over his face.
His gaze roamed over my mini red dress and matching heels.
“Still, I can’t believe he left you standing here like this.
If you were mine, Elise, you wouldn’t be alone.
” His eyes flicked down, lingering just long enough to make me forget my own name.
“Because that dress? It wouldn’t have made it past the door. ”