Chapter 10
I can do this.It’s a date. It’s just a casual date. With a good-looking guy. A really hot-as-fuck guy. A hot-as-fuck guy who has no business asking someone like me out.
I’ve had boyfriends, I’ve been out with guys before. I mean, I used to date all the time.
Just no one ever this hot.
The amount of sexy that drips from him should be illegal. I can tell you, the guys at community college were not this hot. Maybe it’s being in a new town—hell, a new state—that has me more nervous than I should be.
Maybe it’s because I’m still unsure as to why he has the pick of hot chicks here and yet he’s choosing to take me out. This is stupid.
“I can practically hear you canceling,” Addy says from her bed as I look over my outfit in the mirror. Turning, my eyes meet hers as she hops off the bed. “Stop it.”
I tug the V-neck of my black tank top, feeling like maybe I should wear something less … cleavage-y.
“What am I doing? Why does he even want to go out with me?” I turn back to the mirror and take another look. My blue jeans have rips in the legs, distressed throughout. I have my black studded belt on and a pair of my Converse shoes to top off the outfit. I run a hand through my raven hair, noting that I need to get the pink touched up soon.
“Because you are hot. You are a hot little number who caught the eye of an extremely sexy … what did you say he did?” She raises a brow.
“Mechanic.” Like mother, like daughter.
“Ah, yes. A sexy-as-fuck mechanic. Girl, relax,” Addy says as she disappears into the bathroom. “We’ll be meeting you two at the party later. So don’t worry! If things don’t go well at dinner, I’ll get you out of the whole thing when you show up at the house. I’ll text you once we get there.”
“What party is it again?” I turn around grab my wallet and purse off my bed, glancing back at her.
“Greek Row rush parties. They are all throwing parties tonight. I don’t know. I’m dense when it comes to Greek life, but I do know they have awesome parties. And from what I heard, these two frats go at who has the best party every year, so that’s where we are going to head off to.”
She leans forward toward the mirror as she applies her foundation.
As I am about to open my mouth and say something, I feel my phone go off in my pocket. I pull it out and open up the messages.
Damien:
Hey, I’m outside. I’d come up, but I didn’t know what room you were in.
Me:
No, that’s fine. I’ll be down in two seconds. Let me just grab my things.
Damien:
Sounds good.
“He’s here,” I say nervously as I cross the room to grab my purse.
“Then what are you doing standing here?” Addy exclaims. “Go! Go get that walking sex nugget.” She shoos at me.
“Please don’t ever call him a sex nugget. Also, what the fuck is a sex nugget?” I scrunch my face as I say the weirdest words I have ever said in my life.
“No time to explain! Go! Go on your date! I’ll see you at the party later.”
She pulls open the door and shoves me out. Before I can even turn around to say bye, she has the door slamming shut in my face.
Okay then.
Taking the stairs down, I make my way into the lobby and out the front doors of the dorms.
Standing there on his phone, looking like a fucking god of all that is sexy, is Damien.
His black T-shirt is pulled tight around his very muscular body, showing off his tattoos. His dark chestnut hair is gelled back, giving it a very wet look. And let’s not forget to mention how I now have a jeans kink thanks to the dark pair of jeans hugging his body and, oh my God, his ass is biteable.
Down, girl. Keep it cool. Calm your tits.
As if he senses my presence, he looks up from his phone, and his mouth splits into a wide smile. Damien puts his phone in his pocket and saunters over to me.
“Wow, you look beautiful.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.
I can feel the heat rise up my neck. “Um, thanks.” I clasp my hands together, unsure of what I’m supposed to do with them at this moment.
First dates are so fucking awkward.
“So, I made reservations at this Italian restaurant a couple streets over. It’s one of my favorite places to go,” he says as he grins down at me.
I flush. “Oh, I mean, I’m not really dressed for something fancy.”
He lets out a throaty laugh. “I’m not taking you to a five-star restaurant; this place is laid back. But the food there is delicious. Trust me. You’re dressed just fine. Besides, as you can see, I’m in a T-shirt and jeans.”
His hand wraps around mine, and we start walking away from the dorm.
We make our way into the parking lot, hand in hand walking toward an old but nice-looking black car. My eyes widen at how pristine it looks.
“Wow, is this yours?” I look up at Damien as he leads me to the passenger side. The exterior is a beautiful midnight black with two white racing stripes down the center.
He shakes his head, “No, it’s my mom’s car. She lets me borrow it for dates.”
I stop in my tracks and stare at him.
“I’m kidding, Rory.” He busts out laughing.
My face cracks into a smile, and I shake my head. “You had me there for a minute,” I retort wryly.
“I could tell. It’s why I couldn’t hold my face any longer. No, this baby is truly mine.” He opens the door, and I slide inside as he shuts it behind me.
And holy shit, the interior of this car is just as pristine as the exterior. White with a black dash. Now, I’m no car expert, but everything on the inside looks like it’s original.
The driver’s side door opens, and Damien drops in the seat and starts up the car. And holy fuck me. This car fucking roars.
I think I’m in love.
“What the hell kinda car is this?” I turn toward him, my eyes wide as I listen to the engine bringing life to this beast of a car. “Remember, I can probably change the oil on this thing, but everything else escapes me.” I laugh.
“Yeah, I remember. You like her?” he asks me, and I nod. “This here is my baby. It’s a 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS with a 396 motor.”
“I have no idea what that means, but I’m guessing that’s a good thing.”
He laughs, “Yes, it is. I rebuilt this baby. I upgraded it with an aluminum intake, dual feed Holly carb, and an HEI ignition. Otherwise, a lot of the rest of this is still detailed to factory condition.”
“Again, you are like an alien from another planet with your words. No clue what any of that actually means. But I’m guessing it’s all good.”
He nods as his lips turn up. “Yes. Car good. Go fast,” he grunts.
“This is why I’m going into architecture and not following my father in the mechanic world. I can remember codes and guidelines, but anything about a car and it’s through one ear and out the other.”
“Well, then I’m happy you’re not fixing anything on this and sticking with buildings. Though, I may be a little worried about that now, too. Might have to quiz you to make sure you do know your stuff.” He lets out another throaty laugh.
I playfully slap his arm, and he grabs my hand before I can pull it back. Slowly, he brings it up to his lips and kisses the back of my hand, turning it, and slowly kissing the inside of my wrist.
And I think I just came.
He drops my hand on his leg, his eyes slowly leaving mine. Shifting out of park, he starts to maneuver his car out of the parking spot as we head toward the restaurant.
We only drive a few minutes before he pulls up to a small brick building with a lighted sign above the door illuminating the name of the restaurant: Petronzio. Along the top of the brick walls are string lights that give off a soft glow.
My eyes widen, my mouth curving into a grin. “Wow, this is cute.”
Damien turns off the car. “Yeah, it is. I love this place. Stay there.” He jumps out of the car and runs to my side, opening my door and holding out his hand.
“Oh, thank you,” I say sheepishly as I place my hand in his. When I step out of the car, he shuts the door behind me and walks with his arm around my shoulder.
As we walk into the restaurant, my eyes immediately gravitate toward the bar to the left. A red light lines the back of the bar which is wrapped in black wooden planks, a dark wood countertop, and black barstools surrounding it.
Across from it are booths that are covered in an olive-green leather. Not a choice I would have gone with, but more power to them.
On the other side of us are more tables with red leather chairs. The offending green leather benches line the walls with tables in front of them, the red chairs sitting on the opposite side.
Well, at least they tried to tie it all together.
“This place has amazing food. I know the decor is … well … something. But seriously, you will love the food.” Damien looks down at me and smiles.
A waitress sits us down at a booth near the bar, giving us the menu to look at. My nerves are still not any less wonky, and sitting across from this hunk of man meat isn’t helping.
Did I mention first dates are awkward?
“What are you thinking of getting?” Damien looks over his menu and our eyes meet. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I stare into his brown eyes.
“Um … I think, I uh, was thinking the Fettuccine Alfredo.” I bite my lips as his stare bores into me, making me feel very warm suddenly.
“Their Alfredo is excellent. I, myself, am going to have their Penne alla Vodka. Their pink vodka sauce is to die for.”
Before any more can be awkwardly said, the waitress comes back over to our table. “Hi, my name is Jennifer. I am your waitress for the evening, so what can I get you to drink?”
“Just a water for me, please” I politely say.
“A Sicilian Old Fashioned for me, please.” Damien nods to Jennifer.
She beams, “Got it. I will get that drink order in. Do you know what you want to eat?” She looks between the both of us expectantly.
“Yeah, she’ll have the Fettuccine Alfredo and I will have the Penne alla Vodka, please.”
Damien hands her the menus and she turns, walking away from the table and leaving us be.
“So,” Damien breaks the silence, “how are your classes going?”
I shrug. “They’re alright. I mean, outside of the whole everyone seems to schedule all the projects due on the same day thing. Which, do they all get together and plan for that shit?” I raise a brow.
“I think they do.” He chuckles. “I’m sure they enjoy our misery.”
We sit silently for a moment before I respond, “How about yours?”
He nods. “You know, this conversation feels forced. Look, if you don’t want to be here, we can just go.” His lips turn down.
My eyes widen, and I shake my head. “No. No!” I let out a long breath. “I’m just nervous. I’m sorry. You are just … well, all hot and stuff. And I’m, well, me. Just not sure what you’re doing asking me out.”
Damien cracks a smile, tapping the table a couple times. He slowly scoots out of the booth, and I look down at my hands on my lap. Guess I’ll be calling it a night.
“Scoot over.” My head snaps to Damien, who is now standing next to me. “Come on, push over please.”
My mouth drops open, but as I come back down to Earth, I wiggle down the bench and make room for him.
He plops down next to me, his smile wide as he leans his elbows on the table in front of us.
“Not sure what I’m doing asking you out? Well, for starters, you are absolutely gorgeous. You caught my eye the minute I saw you in class. I also do enjoy watching you smile; it’s a beautiful smile. And when we aren’t being awkward in conversation, it’s a nice conversation.”
I blink a few times, unsure of what to say, but then find my words. “Oh.” Okay, so one word.
Damien bursts out into a howl. “See? Great conversation.”
And with just that, I feel myself physically relax. Maybe the awkward first date isn’t so bad. He’s been an absolute gentleman since he picked me up.
And right now, him sitting next to me is kinda nice.
I still don’t get why he wanted to take me out, but right now, none of that seems to matter.