Page 8 of Just Keep Driving

I shake my head. The nerve of that woman.

“I don’t think I mind a woman with kids. It’s not a non-negotiable, but I didn’t know we were having family dinner.”

“How could you? Did you even know she had kids?”

He sits up straight and puts both hands flat on the table. “No!”

I burst into laughter. That takes balls.

“So, did you start your point system?”

He shakes his head vigorously. “No, her tween did. That little boy roasted me from head to toe. I have never been so self-conscious in my life.”

Now, I’m laughing so hard tears stream down my face.

“It’s not that funny.”

“But it is! I can see you getting tore up by a kid who probably doesn’t wipe his ass good!”

“You didn’t have to go there. Damn.” His eyes twinkle and the corners of his mouth quirk up.

“Excuse me,” a man says, approaching our table with a card in his hand. “I’ve been taking candid photos of the two of you.”

Champ’s eyes go wide.

“I have a website–”

“Come on, man!”

“Whoa! Not like that. I like to capture quiet moments between couples and post them–with permission. You’ll find your pictures if you scan this QR code, and you can choose if you want me to post them or not.”

“ThePerfectDate.com?” I ask.

“Yeah? Have you seen it before?”

I have. His photos capture so much. I’m scared to look at ours. We aren’t even on a date.

“Oh, I know your site!” Champ finally comes around. “You think we're on a perfect date?”

“Look at the pictures and see for yourselves.” He taps the card on the table and walks away. We both look down at the card, then back at each other.

Chapter 5 Shotgun!

Champ

She holds the Perfect Date card in both hands as we make our way back to the car. She reached for it after the photographer left, but she didn’t scan it though. She’s just been running her hand along the card.

“That was delicious!” She says finally, rubbing her stomach with one hand.

“I’m glad you liked it.” I walk close to her. My arm touching hers.

“Thank you.” She stops as we stand in front of my car. “You didn’t have to do that. You didn’t have to even talk to me when I got in your car. I’m happy you did.”

I bump her gently with my shoulder. “You’re welcome. I can’t have you being upset in my car. It’s a happy place.”

She looks down at the card. “I’m happy now.”

“Good, let’s get you home.”