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“No,” I say.
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“I am sure of that. I’m confused by the why. Last night you were angry with me for showing up by surprise. Today, you told your mom about me.”
He sits back but doesn’t take that oppressive gaze from mine.
“It felt like I was being tested and you expected me to be a sleaze. I’m not a cheater. When I’m with someone, I’m just with that person. I do flirt a little at the bar. It’s part of my job, but I don’t do much more than that.”
“Okay, but you more than flirted with me when we first met. I invited you up and you came.”
His eyes narrow but then he sighs. “I guess the missing word isanymore. Yeah, I used it to my full advantage before I was with Josie. Never after I got with her and I had never picked up anyone at this bar. I’ve been there for a year now.”
He’s telling the truth. He’s not dodging my eyes or fidgeting or giving me a cheesy smile like David used to. My mouth opens and I don’t know what I’ll say.
“Here’s the bill, like you asked, exactly at seven-thirty.” The waiter smiles, looking at Jax and then me. Jax has to work at eight so we need to settle the bill and go.
I reach for it but he beats me to it. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Dinner’s on me. This place was my idea.”
“And I asked you out. It’s my bill to pay.”
“I’ll give you a few minutes to decide.” The waiter turns on his heel and slinks away.
“Ugh. Let me get it. This place is ridiculously expensive and I can use my business stipend to cover it.”
“No.” His tone leaves no room for argument.
But I insist, “Come on, Jax. You don’t have to waste your money on this. You can use it for your house.”
His eyes go cold and his face dark andDear Niño Jesús, why do I always say the wrong things around him?
“The money I choose to spend on my house or not is none of your business, Saona. If we’re on a date, I’m going to pay for us. I’m not your fucking ex-husband. You don’t have to feed me or support me.”
I’m hot, cold, shamed, and reeling. I didn’t want to embarrass him. I picked this place because my coworkers recommended it. I just fucking ruined our date.
Dear God, we were on a date.
