Page 31 of Ask No Questions

“I’m going to get super cheesy. Promise not to judge and just go with it?”

“Of course.” I was growing suspicious as we passed the pier, continuing toward the back bay. He parked and walked me around a few buildings to a boardwalk along the water.

“First, we have to get ice cream from the best place in California. Then we are going for a ride.” He nodded behind me, and I turned to see a small Ferris wheel on the boardwalk. I turned back with a huge smile.

“This is the best date ever!”

“You’re easily impressed. Come on, what's your favorite flavor?”

“Cookies and cream, please.” He smiled back at me and went to get our dessert.

“I got tickets already so we can get in line.” We waited for the wheel to drop off the only other couple on the ride then it was our turn.

“Special treatment? Did you reserve this just for us?”

He smirked and gave a wink. “Will it impress you if I say yes?”

Sitting next to him with the view of the ocean and my favorite ice cream was pretty ideal. Feeling more comfortable with him than I ever did with Derek, I scooted closer and lowered my head to his shoulder. He put a hand on my leg and looked forward. We rode like that until it stopped, which was twice as long as the couple before us. Either Mike bought extra tickets, or the operator liked us. He helped me off the cart and held onto my hand even as we started walking back to the car. I didn’t want to interrupt whatever was happening with us by talking, so I focused on how perfect the night was and how easy it was to be with Mike. I knew he said this wasn’t a real date, but it sure felt like one and I was beginning to wonder if maybe I wanted it to be real. Maybe I wasn’t as damaged as I thought I was.

Before I knew it, we were back at my condo standing outside the door. I wasn’t sure what to do. I hadn’t been like this around a guy since middle school, unsure and awkward.

“I had a really good time, Aubrey. Thanks for letting me take you out. Hopefully, now you know how you deserve to be treated.” His smile seemed so familiar now as I took him in one last time.

“It was perfect. Thank you, Mike.”

I leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before opening the door. I turned and saw him standing there smiling even bigger to himself. “Goodnight.”

I watched him walk back to the elevator before closing the door.

Brandon was sitting on the couch, watching a show when I walked in. “How did it go? Did you have fun?”

“Yeah, I really did. He’s really fun and very sweet.” I headed into my room thinking back over the night. I wonder if tonight meant anything to him… he said it was a fake date, but it felt pretty real to me.

Fourteen

“Are you awake? Get your butt out of bed! We are going shopping for dresses this morning. We’ll be there to get you at ten. Bye!”

Mckayla had an entire conversation with me without me saying one word. Impressive. I checked the time on my phone and jumped out of bed. I had less than fifteen minutes to get ready, so I hurried into my bathroom and showered in record time. I put on minimal makeup and threw my hair into a top knot. Thinking of having to try on dresses all day, I grabbed my good bra and a comfortable heather gray shirt and jeans. I had a minute to spare before my phone buzzed with a text telling me they were downstairs. I yelled bye to Brandon not knowing if he was even awake and hurried out.

Talia was driving her Jeep with Alexis in the front seat and Mckayla in the back.

“Good morning!” They were all so perky for the early hour then I noticed the Starbucks cups in the holders and grinned.

I used the back tire to jump into the back seat and saw Mckayla holding out a cup for me. I smiled to thank her and faced forward. “Morning, ladies! Where are we headed?”

Alexis turned to me. “A mall. Doesn’t matter. What matters is how your date went last night! We want the details!”

I took a sip of my drink to draw out their waiting time and laughed when they started begging. “It was really fun. Mike was the perfect gentleman. He took me to an Italian restaurant then to the boardwalk for ice cream, and we rode the Ferris wheel. It was simple but perfect.”

“Wait. He didn’t make a move or anything?” Talia turned around as she was driving. Alexis grabbed the wheel, scolding her, then turned back to me.

“Mike took you out to eat then for a romantic, but horribly cheesy, moonlit ride. That doesn’t sound like him at all.”

“I promise, you guys. All he did was hold my hand on the way back to the car. I gave him a peck goodnight, but that was all that happened. We just talked a lot. We have a lot in common actually.”

“I thought he was all about hooking up and that was it. Who knew he could be a romantic?” Alexis looked like she was reassessing everything she knew about men at that moment.

Mckayla finally spoke up. “Well, it was one night. You’re not interested in him, right? He’s not the type to have one girlfriend, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”