Chapter 15
Evie
I pace in my room, making Sam shoot another annoyed look at me.
I would stop pacing, but that seems impossible at the moment.
My stomach hurts, and I feel like I’m going to throw up.
This tight dress doesn’t help. There’s no way I’m going to be able to eat more than salad tonight and be able to breathe on the way home.
“Was this dress this tight when I tried it on?”
Sam shoots me an exasperated look. “No, I shrunk it just for you.” I ignore her sarcasm and go back to pacing. “You need to chill; you’re going to pass out from anxiety.” She eyes me a moment. “You have gone on a date before, right?”
“Not exactly.”
She stares at me before groaning. “How have you not been on a date before? You’re in college.”
“Homeschooled, remember? Dates weren’t readily available in my class of one.” I try to keep the snark out of my voice, but I’m pretty sure I fail.
“Okay. When you get there, let him pull your seat out for you. Put your napkin in your lap, and be sure to use the outer fork first and work your way towards the plate. Don’t clink your silverware on your plate and take small bites.”
“I wasn’t raised in a barn, Sam. I may not have gone on a date before, but I know how to act in public.”
She shrugs. “Well, some people don’t.”
Thankfully, my phone dings. I pick it up and check it. “Jace is here.” I take a deep breath. “Thanks for all your help.”
“You’re welcome, now go have fun.”
I check one last time to make sure I have my wallet and phone and then head out.
I tug on my dress as I walk because it keeps rising every few steps.
I’m already regretting this outfit before I even get outside.
I take a deep breath and step outside. When my eyes land on Jace and take in his similar black leather jacket, I release a breath.
The pressure building inside my chest seems to ease, and I start towards him.
He’s leaning against a bright blue car, but I barely notice.
I watch as his eyes run over me, lingering on my legs. “Did Sam dress you?” he asks.
I pause, feeling uncertain. “Yes.”
He grins. “I like it. Come on.” He takes my hand and tugs me towards him.
He wraps an arm around me and pulls me close.
When his lips meet mine, I tense; but it’s over before I even really experienced it.
I swallow my disappointment over my first kiss; it certainly wasn’t anything to write home about.
I push those thoughts aside; it was just a quick kiss.
I can’t judge anything off that. Jace releases me and grins before walking over to his side of the car.
I open the door and settle into the front seat.
“This is a nice car.”
“You like it?” he asks. “Wait until we get on the main road.”
I fold and unfold my hands in my lap, trying and failing to relax.
If he notices, he doesn’t say anything. We wind our way through campus.
As soon as we get out onto the main road, he lets loose.
I grab the door handle and push my feet against the floorboards.
I don’t look over at the speedometer; I’m sure I don’t want to know how fast we’re going.
He flies up behind a stopped car, barely keeping from hitting him.
He looks over at me and laughs. “Nervous?”
“Scared to death,” I whisper. I’m serious, but he must think it’s funny because he laughs.
“That’s nothing. Wait until we get to a truly open road.”
I think I’m going to be sick. I grab the door handle and wish I wouldn’t have agreed to going on a date with him.
True to his word, as soon as we hit an open stretch, he floors it.
I’m knocked against my seat. My knuckles have to be white on the door handle, and I will myself not to throw up.
I wonder if there are any police on this stretch.
Finally, we hit city streets, and he has to slow down somewhat. By the time we get to the restaurant, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat a single thing. I open my door and stand on shaky legs. He waits for me on the curb. “You good?” he asks with a grin.
I flash him a smile I don’t feel. “Yeah.” I follow him inside, regretting it as soon as we step inside.
There’s no mistaking what kind of restaurant this is, even though I failed to look at the name of the restaurant when we pulled in.
It’s definitely seafood. My stomach rolls again, and I cross my arms over it.
I didn't think to tell him that I don’t like seafood.
No, it’s more than that. I can’t stand seafood.
I take a shallow breath and wish this night was over already, and I was back in my bed in my dorm.
The hostess smiles at us and leads us to a table.
I sit on shaky legs, trying not to bump the table with the candle lit in the middle.
I take in the fine China and dressy white tablecloth.
This is definitely an expensive restaurant; I suddenly feel really underdressed. At least, Jace is dressed similarly.
Once the hostess leaves us, I take a deep breath and try to relax. “This is a really nice place.”
“It is,” he agrees. We don’t get a chance to talk anymore because the waiter appears next to us.
“Good evening and welcome. Would you care to see our list of drinks?”
“We’ll take a bottle of...” Jace’s voice fades out as my panic grows.
I hadn’t thought this through. I don’t drink, at all.
I have very good reasons for why I don’t, and I don’t like being around people that do.
It brings back too many bad memories of my dad’s drinking.
I feel my breathing speed up, and I run my hands over my dress, trying to find my calm.
“Evie.” I finally realize Jace is speaking to me. “Are you okay?”
I swallow and try to paste on a smile. “Yes. What’s good here?” I ask.
“I already ordered for us.”
I blink and stare at him a moment. His words take a moment to catch up. “Oh. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Our waiter comes back, saving me from myself.
He puts bread down on the table, and I’m suddenly starving.
The fresh smell of bread overpowers the smell of seafood, at least for a little bit.
When our waiter makes a concoction of fresh olive oil, spices, and fresh parmesan cheese, I swear my mouth starts watering.
“Can I get a Sprite, please?” He nods and leaves.
As soon as he leaves, I reach out and cut off a piece and dip it in the oil.
As soon as it hits my tongue, I close my eyes.
I’m so thankful for bread. At least I won’t go hungry tonight, even if I don’t like the meal.
“I take it you like bread.” Jace’s words interrupt the warm haze I’m currently in.
I nod. “Is there anything better than fresh bread?”
He shrugs. “I try not to eat a lot of bread.”
I swallow my bite. “Okay. How are your classes going so far this semester?” I ask, trying to get conversation going.
He sits back in his chair. “Fine.”
“What’s your major again?”
I think I already asked him but can’t remember. “Business management.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Where’s home for you, Jace?”
“Here, in Florida.”
“So, you’re used to the humidity?” I ask, after cutting another piece of bread.
He smirks. “You’re not, I take it.”
“No. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the humidity. My hair shrivels up every time I step outside.” He laughs. “I’m used to Colorado, where there’s practically no humidity.”
“Yeah, but we have the beach here,” he points out.
“That’s true, but have you seen the Rocky Mountains?”
“No, can’t say that I have.”
“They’re incredible. I find myself looking for the mountains and forgetting they’re not here. It makes me sad every time.”
“How can you be sad? We’re in Florida where the beaches are amazing.”
I shrug. “I guess it’s what I’m used to.” I cut another piece of bread and dip it in the oil.
“Are you going to eat the entire loaf of bread?” he asks.
“Probably,” I tell him and take a bite. “Are you sure you don’t want any? It’s really good.”
“No. I don’t want the extra pounds.”
My bite pauses halfway to my mouth, and I raise an eyebrow at him. He doesn’t look away, and I’m not really sure I like the glint in his eyes. Surely, he’s not saying what I think he’s saying. I finish the last piece of my bread and swallow. “Are you trying to say something, Jace?” I ask.
He smirks. “Nope.”
Suddenly, that smirk that has always seemed sexy no longer does. I fold my napkin again over my lap, wondering if I should keep my mouth shut. “Are you saying I have extra pounds?”
“How come you’re not drinking your wine?” He asks instead.
I glance at the glass in front of me; I hadn’t even noticed it until now. I guess I really was in a bread coma. “I don’t drink.” I hold his gaze as I say the words, so I don’t miss the frown.
“Why not?”
I shrug. I’m not getting into this with him tonight. “I just choose not to.”
Our waiter arrives, saving us from any more awkward conversation.
“King Crab for your dining experience tonight.” I don’t register his words, and when I look down, I jump and barely keep from letting out a yelp.
Because on my plate is an entire crab. I’m going to be sick.
I swallow hard and regret all the bread I just ate.
I don’t even manage a thank you. If I open my mouth right now, I’m going to throw up.
Unfortunately, Jace has no such inhibitions.
He picks up some metal tool and then breaks off a leg of the crab and uses the metal tool to crack it open.
My stomach turns when he slides meat out of it.
When he dips it in butter and eats it, my mouth waters and not in a good way—in the way it does before you throw up.
“Excuse me,” I mutter and push back my chair.
I walk as quickly as I can towards the back of the restaurant, following the signs for the bathroom.
I throw open the door to the stall and fling myself to the floor, hovering over the toilet.
I gag a few times, but nothing comes up.
I spend a few minutes wishing I would have never agreed to tonight.
I take a deep breath; I just need to focus on getting through this night.
But I know right now that once I’m done with tonight, I need to tell Jace I’m not interested.
I feel bad, but I feel like tonight was a major eye opener.
And maybe it’s not even Jace. Maybe it’s just me; maybe I’m not date material.
All I know is I don’t want to put myself through something like this again.
When I know I can’t stay in here any longer, I force myself to leave the stall. After washing my hands, I stare into the mirror. “You just have to get through the next hour and then never again.”