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Within four sips, she was feeling a buzz that was not caused exclusively by tequila.
“So, Candy, how long have you been on Milwaukeedates?”
She put down her margarita carefully. He sounded odd when he asked that. Or maybe it was the way he switched gears from laid-back California to focused New York. What was up with that? “Only a couple of weeks.”
“It’s wild, isn’t it? I was kicking around looking at profiles the other night.”
Her smile felt tight. Why shouldn’t he look around? That’s what he’d paid for. She’d gone out with three guys already, it was natural. “Shopping for humans.”
“Strange, but practical.” Was he looking at her more searchingly or was she imagining it? “I saw this one woman who looked enough like you to be a twin.”
Dread soured her stomach. “Really?”
“Yeah, it was striking. Do you have a sister?” He was smiling, jovial. She couldn’t tell if the tension between them was coming from him, her, or both.
“Only brothers.” She could barely get her lips to move. She wasn’t a liar, and this felt like lying, to a guy she liked and wanted to trust her.
“Funny.” He seemed genuinely unconcerned; she felt like she’d been force-fed rocks. “I could have sworn she’d turn out to be related to you.”
“Nope.” She couldn’t tell him. Not yet.
“You signed up as a favor to your friend, huh?”
She picked up a chip, trying to decide which dip to choose this time. “Not really.”
“You said you were dating around as a favor to Marie.”
“Oh, no, well…” Damn. She dipped the chip in the hotter salsa and shoved it into her mouth, stalling while she collected herself. She’d only said that about Marie to downplay her involvement. “I’m definitely dating to find someone.”
“So the favor part…” He waited expectantly.
“I didn’t sign up anywhere else. I’m not trying to meet men any other way, hanging out in bars or anything.” As if she would. “I want to help Marie.”
“I thought you said her company was doing really well.”
“It is.” She frowned at him. “Is this some kind of interview?”
“Sure.” He grinned and relaxed against the back of his chair. “Aren’t all dates?”
Candy shrugged noncommittally and picked up her drink again. Had she imagined the weirdness? “I guess they are.”
“Applying for the position of boyfriend or girlfriend, checking out the applicant’s qualifications, doing background checks—”
“Sizing up the staff.”
His eyebrow arched. “How big do you think mine is?”
“Mmph.” Candy’s sip of margarita barely stayed in her mouth.
“Sorry.” His easy smile melted most of her worries. She’d probably created the awkwardness with her guilt, while he was just making small talk. But this was a warning sign, one she should take seriously. She’d talk to Marie first chance she got. She didn’t want to hurt anyone or reflect badly on Milwaukeedates.com.
The waitress came by and took their dinner order, offering recommendations, steering them toward dishes that might suit their tastes. Candy ordered a tortilla soup that arrived brimming with chicken and vegetables flavored with lime.
Heaven. Justin had seviche, seafood marinated in lime juice whose acids essentially cooked the fish, served in a stemmed glass. The taste he offered was fresh, clean and salty with a subtle chili kick. Next time she was ordering that. And the soup again. And margaritas. And the peanut salsa, served in a bucket.
Justin forked up his next bite. “Since you grew up here, you have a lot of friends still around?”
“I do. From high school and a few from college. And Abigail.”
“Abigail…”
“My best friend since fourth grade. She’s nothing like me, but we’ve stayed close.”
“Different
how?”
“For one thing, she is model-gorgeous. And has this incredible body, and sex appeal that—”
“Candy.” His seafood stopped halfway to his mouth; he was looking at her intently.
