5. The Date #2
But to my absolute surprise, it’s Reese who enters the room and says, “Oh, yes, you can.” She eyes me in a way that has me gulping down my nervousness. “You don’t have to marry the guy! Just about finding...”
Rory sticks her tongue out at her older sister. “Release, baby,” she says with a wink.
“Exactly,” June and Reese declare at the same time. They do that a lot—say the exact same thing at the exact same time.
I take one last look in the mirror. What if Liam sees me? I think.
But I shake my head. No, the woman staring back at me isn’t one I recognize. Isn’t one he would recognize either.
Time has a way of changing people, and I’ve waited a long time for him to change.
I’m done waiting.
“He’d better be hot,” I mumble at last.
Rory grins from ear to ear, and I know without a doubt that he is.
I’m going to commit murder tonight.
As soon as this date ends...June, Reese, and Rory Vaughn are as good as dead.
Why? Because they didn’t set me up with just any good-looking guy on campus. They set me up with Delleth’s captain of the football team.
Noah fucking Pierce.
What in the actual hell were they thinking? I mean, it was no wonder we matched online—he matches with anyone…literally.
We’ve been at Lover’s Burgers, a low-key burger joint frequented by many students.
I tried like hell to convince him to take me anywhere else, but I failed.
It’s not that I don’t like this place; it’s actually my favorite restaurant.
It’s just that I’m disgustingly overdressed for a takeout place with peanut shells discarded everywhere.
Also, considering that this is mine and Liam’s place—was mine and Liam’s place.
We used to get takeout here nearly every week. We both loved it.
Now, years later, I’m curled in a small booth, watching students come and go through the door, each eyeing me, clearly judging me for being Noah’s plaything of the day—quite the change.
He asks me a question. I can hear his voice, but my mind is a million miles away.
“Sorry,” I say, forcing my attention to him.
I mean, Rory was at least right about one thing—Noah is hot. Tall, dark, and an edgy bad boy vibe. But he’s totally her type, not mine.
“What did you say?” I ask, removing my rambling thoughts from my mind.
He clears his throat, “I said, ‘Do you want to split the bill?’”
My eyes slam shut. This has to be the worst date I’ve ever been on.
I haven’t really been on many to begin with, so I’m sure it could be worse. But still…this one totally sucks.
“Actually,” I remark, pulling out my debit card. “It’s on me.”
He bops his head in approval. “Oh, hell yeah,” he comments as he slips his wallet back into his pocket.
As we step out of the booth, I tell Noah I’ll pay the bill and find his car outside.
I seriously can’t believe I’m paying the tab, but I guess it’s also not 1960 anymore. Women can take care of themselves. Though I can’t help but think, if this were a date with Liam and I tried paying, he would have tackled me to the ground, wrestling my card from my hands.
The vision brings a smile to my face as I insert my card into the machine. At the register to my left, I hear someone approach, and the waitress asks for a name for the to-go order.
“Liam,” the voice drawls.
My heart skips several beats as I go still. In fact, I think it stops entirely, rigor mortis setting in within seconds as my body goes fucking rigid.
God is totally punishing me.
Is it too late to attend church with Grandma Charlotte every Sunday like I did when I was a kid?
I shake my head at the idea. Who am I kidding? I’d totally be set alight if I tried stepping a foot in there.
“All set,” the cashier tells me. “Enjoy your evening with Noah.” She offers a wink, and my stomach drops. I try to keep my head down, knowing my cheeks are burning red. But there is no way I can leave without him seeing me.
I blow out a breath, then quickly draw in another. I can’t stand here frozen. I’m going to have to face him eventually.
After a few seconds, I find the courage and spin around.
And of course…He’s staring right at me.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
My hands go sweaty at my sides, my breathing anything but steady. I raise my hand to greet him.
His own hand slowly lifts in return. Progress, I think. At least he didn’t bolt out the door this time.
But I guess he’s waiting on his food, so he doesn’t exactly have a choice but to face me.
“Uh,” I say.
Real smooth, Aubs.
“Hey,” I finish.
BECAUSE ‘HEY’ IS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO SEEING YOUR EX AFTER A YEAR OF NO CONTACT.
I make my way to the door, ready to bolt. But I hear him clear his throat.
“Aubrey.” Liam breathes out my name like it’s a struggle, like he has to force it past his lips. I turn, and I know my face is fire-engine red. Liam’s eyes find the floor as mine slam closed. I suppose I can’t blame him for running last time. I can’t wait to get out of these fucking doors myself.
“It’s good to see you,” he admits at last.
But I turn and walk out, refusing to look back. Outside, I duck into Noah’s car, and he pulls away almost as fast as my racing heart. The entire ride, I replay Liam’s words over and over again.
I would have rather he said, “Hey, Aubrey, go fuck yourself.” Because what the hell did he mean by, “It’s good to see you?”
We arrived at Noah’s apartment around thirty minutes ago. It’s just him and me, as his roommates are gone for the night.
Because...convenient, right?
Then again, I knew what I was getting myself into when I agreed to this date.
What did Rory and Reese say…I just need...release.
Yeah, that was it.
I just need release.
A way to get my mind off Liam.
But that’s impossible to fucking do now because I just had to see him at the diner. And he just had to fucking speak to me.
Not just speak to me but to say, of all things: It’s good to see you.
Why would he do that? Why would he say that? Because now I can’t think of anything else…Even with Noah Pierce’s hand trailing up and down my leg. Even with him leaning in, his lips a breath away from mine.