Chapter 5
When my shift ends, I head into the back to see whether Julia and Bianca are ready. I can hear them giggling in the bathroom. “Hey, are you girls ready?” Julia turns to me. “I can't wait for all six of us to hang out.”
I smirk and shake my head. “Don't get used to it. I'm only doing this tonight as an apology.” Bianca walks past me, steering us out of the bathroom. “Oh, stop. You need more friends anyway.”
Outside, the guys are waiting beside a big SUV. Graham got into the driver's seat. Lee and Julia immediately claim the very back, while Owen and Bianca slide into the row behind the front seats. I sigh. They did that on purpose. I climb into the passenger seat beside Graham.
He watches as I fasten my seatbelt and smile at him. The SUV pulls away. I turn toward the passenger window and watch the buildings go by.
“So, Nora, where are you from?” Graham asks.
I sigh. “California.” I turn toward him and catch his small smile.
“Do you have family here, or back in California?” I search his eyes for an ulterior motive but find none.
“The only family I have is Bianca and her family.” Sensing my discomfort, he changes the subject.
“How old are you?” I look at him. “Twenty-one.
I'll be twenty-two soon. I'm in my last year of college.” We pull up at the bowling alley and climb out of the SUV.
Everyone heads inside. Graham holds the door for me and rests a hand against my upper back to guide me in. I stop him. “I have a confession.” He looks confused. “I'm a little nervous. I've never bowled before.” He chuckles. “That's okay. I'll teach you.”
At the register, Graham pays for our shoes and the game. “Graham, you didn't have to do that. I'm supposed to be making up for my attitude, remember?” He smirks. “Oh, I remember.” I press my lips together and head over to our friends.
Bianca puts an arm around my shoulders. “We're playing in teams. Couples against couples. Owen and me, Julia and Lee, and you and Graham.”
I shake my head. “I know what you're doing.”
She smirks. “We're bowling. That's what we're doing.” Amused despite myself, I can only shake my head.
Graham comes over with our shoes. “Okay, since Nora has never bowled, she gets a couple of practice turns first.” Everyone agrees.
He takes my hand and leads me over to the bowling balls.
His touch sends a shiver through me. What the fuck am I thinking?
He helps me choose a ball I can actually lift.
Back with the group, he stands on my right and demonstrates how to swing and release the ball.
Then he moves behind me, covering my hand as he shows me how to grip it.
When I begin my three steps, he guides the ball in my hand and helps me let it go.
He smells amazing. I have no idea what the scent is, but I love how masculine it smells.
The ball rolls down the lane and knocks over one pin.
I turn toward him. “Hey, you got a pin on your first roll,” he says. “That's pretty good.” I take a deep breath. “You know we're going to lose, right?” He winks. “Don't worry, babe. I've got this.”
Hearing him call me babe makes my heart pound and sets my stomach on fire. He's fucking beautiful. This isn't good.
The game begins, and everyone bowls pretty well.
Graham, of course, gets strike after strike.
He really did have this. Whenever I step up, he's beside me with a pointer.
He isn't pushy or aggressive, just patient and encouraging.
He's different from any man I've ever known. Except Renzo, but he's more like a dad.
It comes down to the final throw. Owen gets a strike, tying his team with Graham and me.
I step up to the lane and release my ball.
It rolls straight down the middle and sends every pin crashing.
“OH MY GOD! I GOT A STRIKE!” I jump up and down, so excited that before I know it, I've leaped into Graham's arms and thrown mine around his neck.
He catches me with a smile. When I realize what I've done, I blush fiercely and push away from his chest. He sets me down, laughing. “You were great!”
We start collecting our things. I'm sitting across the table from Graham, bent over to put on my shoes.
I can see him watching me as he takes a sip of beer.
I turn toward him. “Have dinner with me Friday evening,” he says.
My heart drops into my stomach. Everyone stops what they're doing, and I feel all their eyes on me.
“Uh... Graham, I'm not really interested in dating.” He smiles.
“Can't friends have dinner?” I draw a deep breath.
“I guess they can...” He cuts in. “Good.
I'll pick you up at seven.” Then he gets up and takes both pairs of shoes back to the clerk.
I turn to Bianca. “What the hell just happened?” Owen chuckles.
“He got his way, and now you've got a date.” I shake my head.
“He said it wasn't a date.” Owen starts laughing.
“No, he asked whether friends can have dinner.
He never said it wasn't a date. You assumed that.” I roll my eyes.
Two can play this game. As Graham returns, I tell him, “Fine, but it's not a date.” He gives me a smirk, and we all head to the car.
The week passes, and Friday morning arrives. I'm a nervous wreck over dinner with Graham. I'm going to die of a panic attack.
Bianca walks into the restaurant. “Hey, girl. Are you coming to my apartment to get ready for your date?” I nod.
“Yes, I'm coming over. No, it's not a date.
Speaking of dating, what's happening with you and Owen?” She giggles.
“We're seeing each other. He's sexy and sweet, and really good in...” I knew where she was going.
“Mmm, stop right there. I don't want to know.” She laughs.
“Why not? We're sisters.” I shrug. “I don't know. Talking about sex just feels weird.” “Well, you'll have to get used to it,” she says.
After our shifts, Julia, Bianca, and I head to Bianca's apartment.
The girls help me get ready, and then someone knocks.
I glance at the clock. Six thirty. He's really early.
Julia goes to the door, and I hear Owen and Lee.
Bianca catches my eye in the mirror. “It's only Owen and Lee.
Graham is coming on his own. You're awfully nervous for someone going on a non-date.”
I drum my fingers on my knee. “God, Bianca, I haven't gone to dinner with a man in ages.
What do I even say? I'm so fucking nervous. I feel like my insides are going to explode.” She chuckles as she curls my hair.
“I don't know, Nora. Talk about whatever you want.
What you're feeling is normal. It means you're attracted to him.” I roll my eyes at her.
When she's finished, we go into her closet. “What am I going to wear?” She looks me over in my lace bra and thong. “Depends. How soon do you want that dress on Graham's bedroom floor?”
My eyes widen in horror. “BIANCA! This dress isn't ending up on anyone's bedroom floor. It's not a date. God, you're making me even more nervous!” She's laughing hysterically. I shove her. “Not funny.”
Now she's laughing so hard she's crying. “Oh, you should have seen your face.” I smirk and shake my head, taking the black dress from her hand. It's cute and falls to mid-thigh, fitted on top before flaring out below my waist.
Bianca studies me. “Nora, you look beautiful. Seriously. Sexy, but classy.” I walk down the hall, checking my purse to make sure I have everything I need.
Owen and Lee are sitting at the kitchen table watching me, with Julia on Lee's lap.
Owen speaks first. “Hey, Nora. Just so you know, you could wear a cardboard box, and Graham would want it on his bedroom floor in seconds.” I smirk.
“If that's your way of saying I look nice, thank you.” He chuckles.
“No, it's my way of saying you look breathtaking, and Graham won't know what to say.” His words make my cheeks burn.
I head toward Bianca's room for my coat as another knock sounds.
She opens the door, and Graham comes in.
I walk back down the hall with my jacket in hand.
He stops talking to Owen and Lee and stares at me.
When I reach him, I give him a puzzled look.
“Are you okay?” Lee and Owen chuckle. Graham's eyes widen.
“Wow... Nora. You look... God, there aren't words.” I smile.
He opens the door. “Ready?” I nod, and he hurries to the passenger side of the car to hold the door for me.
We drive to the restaurant in silence. When we pull up outside the beautiful building, Graham gets out and opens my door. I look at him. “This place looks way too expensive.”
He smiles. “Don't worry about it. I'm paying anyway.”
I shake my head. “Graham, I can't let you do that.”
He takes my hand. “Well, too bad. I invited you to dinner, so I'm paying.” He approaches the host. “Two for Graham Whitaker.” The waiter takes us to our table.