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I can understand being nervous and uncomfortable. I’ll let it slide this time. Jamie always thinks I’m too quick to cut people out, so I’ll try harder not to do that when this guy is clearly doing his best here.
God, I can be such a bitch sometimes.
You weren’t a bitch with Dempsey.
The abrupt thought has my cheeks growing warm. Thankfully, the waitress brings us our drinks. I chug the Pepsi, deciding I must be dehydrated from my hike earlier.
“It’s fine,” I assure him. “I’m just on edge, I think. I haven’t dated in so long that I forgot what it even looks like.”
He pretends to wipe sweat off his brow and grins. “Thank God. This shit is hard, let me tell you. Dating in your thirties should come with a manual. It seemed much easier in college.”
“Tell me about yourself. That’s a start.”
Luckily, Oliver likes talking about himself. He loves his job, works out like he’s addicted to it, and enjoys boating on Park Lake. Unfortunately, my eyes begin to glaze over about five minutes in. I can hear him talking, but I’m not comprehending anything. Just staring, smiling, and nodding. My brain is back to this afternoon once we finished our hike.
Dempsey packed a cooler full of food for lunch. I’d assumed we’d go out to eat after or something on the way home. Instead, me and Kaden were treated to fancy cold cut sandwiches with rich cheeses, savory sauces, and all the fruit and veggies one could eat on the side. He even made sweet tea, which Kaden had never had, but learned he was a big fan of.
It was all so unexpected. Thoughtful and sweet.
I remember just staring at Dempsey as I tried to figure out the man I only thought I knew. Turns out, I know nothing just like he said.
Why do I want to start picking apart those clues to learn about the man beneath the bad boy exterior?
“Hey, Sloane,” Oliver says, clearing his throat. “She asked if you wanted marinara to dip your knots in. I wasn’t sure.”
I give her a nod and then shoot him an apologetic look when she walks away again. “Sorry. Kind of spaced out there for a second.”
His shoulders slump slightly and I feel like a total monster for admitting that out loud. I’m always putting my foot in my mouth.
“I was thinking about a case,” I blurt out, lying through my teeth. “It’s been keeping me up at night.”
His smile returns and he gestures at me. “Tell me about you now. I’ll try to stay awake.”
I laugh at his teasing and then busy myself with the garlic knots when they arrive soon after. Finally, when I’ve stalled long enough, I tell him all he needs to know.
“I love coffee, hate rom-coms, and enjoy being outdoors. If I had a job where I was chained to a desk, I’d die of boredom.”
“What woman hates rom-coms?” His eyes bug out playfully. “Kidding. They’re corny. I get it. Any pets?”
Does Kaden count?
He eats me out of the house and home, farts like a gassy dog sometimes, and has to be forced to shower and brush his teeth. Even though it’s on the tip of my tongue to joke about him, I bite it back. I don’t know this guy really and I’m not about to tell him—Mr. I Don’t Want Kids—that I have one at home.
It’s not like it’s a permanent situation or anything.
At least, I hope not.
Nothing against Kaden, but a boy needs his mother.
He needs his brother too, but Trevor is getting into major trouble, according to Dempsey. I’m going to get to the bottom of it and do my best to help him. If he’ll let me. Rhiannon never did.
My mood once again sours and I opt not to say anything stupid by stuffing bread into my mouth. The garlic knots are crazy delicious, and I know I’ll definitely be bringing Kaden back here soon. Sure beats fast food.
“Damn,” Oliver says over a mouthful of food. “This is some good shit.”
I give him a thumbs-up and continue to stuff my face. Eating is better than talking. I can’t screw up eating. I’m actually pretty good at that.
He continues to tell me more things about himself until the waitress arrives with our pizza. It, too, looks delicious. This place was a great idea.
