CHAPTER 1 #2
Lainey sank back in her seat and sucked on her drink straw. She felt self-conscious more than ever. Evidently, he was only being polite outside, but now he despised her.
The last time she was on a date sixteen years ago, she was a size six.
And now she was a size ten on a good day, probably a solid twelve in actuality.
A fact made all too clear when she was trying on clothes from her closet tonight.
She now realized, she put way too much thought in to picking out what to wear for this painfully awkward dining experience.
Of course, outside he was polite. There was no way she was the woman his good friend would ever think of setting him up with. He was built, big, obviously worked out, and his set jaw proved he thought he was a better catch than the middle-aged woman sitting beside him.
Jake chuckled, “Ice. We called him Vanilla Ice in middle school because we thought he looked like him. By the time we were in high school, it just became Ice.” Jake smirked at Robert. “I don’t think the nickname bothers him as much as he lets on.”
Robert didn’t react.
Lainey sat up and studied his profile. Since he had never turned to her, nor looked at her the entire dinner, she couldn’t really see his full face, “You do kind of look like him,” Lainey agreed, but being polite she added, “but I think you’re better looking.
” Yikes, she shouldn’t have said that last part.
She doubted he needed any reassuring. He was a handsome man, and it made her sound like a sappy, desperate woman. She was just trying to be nice.
She sank back and shifted in the tight space. She accidentally grazed his thigh with hers and instantly regretted it. He probably thought she was throwing herself at him. This night could not end any sooner, she thought.
When the server asked how the check should be divided, Robert spoke up, motioning to Lainey. “She’s on mine.”
“That’s okay, I can get my own,” she insisted.
Robert ignored her and shook his head at the server to disregard her statement.
The server returned with only two checks, handing each man their own. Of course, he wouldn’t be rude in front of his friends. He might not like me, but he’s going to be a gentleman and pay for my meal, she thought.
“Really, you didn’t have to pay for mine, but thank you,” Lainey said as she watched him sign the credit card receipt.
He didn’t respond, ignoring her gratitude.
When the men stood, allowing the ladies to slide out of the booth, Emma said, “Let’s go get a drink at the cowboy bar a block up?”
“No,” Lainey said bluntly. Everyone looked at her, and she realized how firmly abrupt her delivery had been. “I’m sorry, I only have the sitter scheduled till ten, and I’m already going to be late.” She checked the time on her phone to sell the lie.
In reality, her sister and her sons were staying the night and planning on accompanying her and her daughter to the zoo the next day.
“I had a great time. I just have to go,” she said and walked beyond the three of them.
Lainey moved to put space between her and Ice, which described him to a tee.
She waved her hand. “Emma, I’ll see you Monday. ”
“Okay, drive safe, Lain,” Emma replied.
Lainey ignored Robert and offered no more goodbyes before rushing away. She pivoted around people and could not get to the door fast enough.
He’s a smoker too. Ick, she thought. Who even smokes anymore?
When she pushed her way out of the crowded entryway, where newcomers were awaiting the next available table, she searched for her keys.
By the time she stepped onto the bustling sidewalk, she was elbow deep in her purse digging for them.
Finally, she grasped her keyring. She took a step forward and a large hand gently touched the back of her arm.
“Let me walk you to your car,” Robert said and nudged her along before she could stand her ground and protest. She glanced behind him and saw Jake and Emma coming through the door as he whisked her away.
Lainey thought he was keeping up appearances as a gentleman, yet she didn’t appreciate prolonging this torturous rejection.
“I’m parked over there,” she motioned to the rear of the parking lot.
“I know. I watched you get out of your car.”
He did?
She held the fob up and unlocked the door. “Thanks for the escort,” she said, not turning to look at him as she picked up the pace.
When they’d reached her car, his grip tightened on her arm. “Hold up.”
She stopped out of sheer courtesy and turned to him.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
With her deer-in-the-headlights look, she wasn’t sure what he was talking about. Sorry, he pretty much ignored her all night? Sorry, she wasn’t his type? Sorry, she was a size ten instead of a six? Sorry, she brought up an embarrassing nickname? Sorry for what, exactly?
Now that he had her attention, he let go of her arm. He took a deep breath, and the swell of his chest made his buttoned shirt look even tighter. He exhaled, “I’m not good at this. It’s been a while.”
Okay?
“When I saw you, I ...” he drifted off.
“Disappointed,” she said somberly. “I get it. It’s okay.”
He cocked his head, looking confused. “No. I wasn’t disappointed.” He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed, “God, I’m even worse at this than I thought.”
Lainey was confused now.
“When we met on the sidewalk, and you said it was a double date, I suspected it might be with me, but I convinced myself there was no way they would’ve set me up with you.”
Lainey put her hand up. “Really, it’s okay. I know you were probably expecting someone younger.” And let’s be honest, skinnier.
He shook his head. “No. I wasn’t expecting the sexy as hell chick I saw get out of this car, to be the one they’d set me up with.”
“Oh,” she swallowed the lump in her throat.
He took a step closer. His voice was low. “When Emma and Jake dragged me here, sight unseen, I wasn’t expecting someone like you.”
His eyes were green. She couldn’t see them before, but now she studied his face. He had strong features, and though there was a resemblance, he was in fact better looking than Vanilla Ice. At least from what she could remember from the poster on her cousin’s wall growing up.
She furrowed her brow and shook her head. “Okay, so you DO like me? From the way you acted at dinner, I didn’t think you...” she was looking for the right word, “approved.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “I’m sorry, I was just nervous. I don’t even smoke anymore. But when you were late, I stepped out and bummed a cigarette, and then you walked up in those hot cherry red boots.” He smirked. “Didn’t you notice I downed two beers before our food even came?”
Lainey shook her head.
“I tried not to stare during dinner. I didn’t want you thinking I was some creep.”
“Okay?”
“Listen, I want to do this again, but just you and me. Can we do that? Will you give me another chance?”
She was speechless, but finally conjured up one word, “Sure.” Lainey dug her phone out, and they exchanged numbers.