Chapter 14
Koen~
Luckily, Guillermo’s had a couple of tables where customers could sit and eat, and after ordering our food, I’d made sure to sit with my back to the truck, so that I could keep an eye on our surroundings.
Though the sun wasn’t quite down yet, it might be by the time that we finished eating, and I was not about to be caught unaware.
Now, while Rya still seemed uncomfortable, I’d felt better about it when the cook had asked her if she’d wanted her usual, and she’d said yes.
Instead of ‘ordering a salad’, she’d gone for being genuine and ordering what she’d wanted.
Honestly, I couldn’t remember the last time that a woman hadn’t ordered a salad while on a date with me.
“So, tell me all about working at Precious Pets,” I said as we waited for our food.
Rya smiled, and she really was fucking pretty. “It’s the best job in the world,” she replied sincerely. “I’m surrounded by animals all day long, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my days.”
“How long have you worked there?”
“A few years,” she answered. “Dalton and Leandra work there, too.”
That surprised me a bit. “Dalton? The pool guy?”
Rya nodded. “Yeah, but it’s only part-time. He works full-time at Blood it was just different.
“Well, the night’s still young,” I said as we threw our plates away in one of the trash bins that’d been provided. “We can check out a movie, or go bowling-”
“You know how to bowl?”
“Not well,” I admitted. “But I’m willing to give it a go.”
“Well, as you already know, pool’s my thing, and since you’ve already admitted to sucking at it, I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting you through that,” she replied, but she was grinning, which made me smile like a kid on Christmas morning.
When we got to my car, instead of immediately opening the door for her, I leaned up against it. “Well, I’m not ready to take you home yet. I’ve still got the rest of your life to learn about.”
Eyeing me, she said, “While I’m flattered that you don’t want the night to end just yet, here’s where you learn that I’m a homebody, Koen. If I have a choice between going out and staying home, I’ll choose home eight out of ten times.”
“And tonight isn’t one of those two times when you make the exception?”
“Tonight is one of the nights where you’ll have to come to my place if you want to continue this date,” she answered, making me feel things that I had no business feeling this early on.
“You knew what I was doing when I insisted on this place for dinner, and you deserve to end this date somewhere cozy and comfortable. Also, I’m sorry about. ..about coming here.”
“Well, since they really are the best tacos that I’ve ever had, you’re forgiven,” I said, smiling down at her. “And I’d love to go back to your place and hear all about Miss Rya Harlow.”
Rya grinned up at me, and it was fucking everything.