AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Me: Look at you, using emojis. Proud of you.
Me: And thank you so much for this date. Dane came out to meet us personally and is making us special dishes. I owe you big.
Fitzy: All in a day’s work, sugar. You kids enjoy yourselves. Eggplant. Water squirts.
I laugh at the spelled-out attempt at emojis and pocket my phone as Oliver comes back with two creamy cocktails.
“I hope you don’t mind me grabbing you a White Russian.”
“You remembered?”
“I will never forget anything about you, Blair.”
I blush at his intense tone. No one has ever been this sweet to me before…it’s hard not to fall for him.
“That used to be my favorite date ever….”
His smile falls, and I hurry to finish my thought.
“Now it’s this one. This is my favorite date ever,” I admit, blushing so hard, my cheeks burn and probably match the color of my dress.
“Mine too,” he says, and I feel him circle his feet around mine under the table, feeling the warmth of his legs through his pant legs. It’s thrilling to be touched by him. Feelings from the first night we met come rushing back, and I have to bite my lip from the sudden rush of lust. His eyes darken from behind the whiskey glass, and the tension thickens between us. We stare at each other, not needing to fill the quiet. Just being in the same room with him sends jet fuel straight to my core. I cross my legs, and he squeezes his legs around mine as if knowing my exact problem.
“Here we are,” Dane comes back to the table with a large wooden cutting board topped with all my favorites.
“Salami, olives, walnuts, figs, and are that homemade jams?”
“Jalapeno pepper jelly, and this one is a red pepper hummus,” Dane says and lays down a basket of fresh pita bread.
“This is just the appetizer, but your meals will be out shortly. Enjoy.” He leaves, and we dive in, devouring the amazing charcuterie board, giggling at each other as we moan around every bite.
Chapter Eight
Oliver
The meal is spot on, the best meal I’ve ever eaten, but when Dane offers dessert, I have to decline.
“I’m sorry, my friend. I’ve made other plans for dessert, but I assure you, we will be back.” I love the look my words bring to her cheeks when I refer to us both coming back together.
“No apology necessary. It was great meeting you both. Please give my regards to Fitzy.”
“Thank you. I will be sure to give her your best.”
“My pleasure, and please come back anytime.”
We shake hands, and I notice it feels a lot hotter in here than it did a moment ago. I pull the collar of my white dress shirt and clear my throat, suddenly feeling an itch at the back of my neck. When Dane leaves, I grab my White Russian and take a few hard gulps, hoping to clear it.
“What are these exciting dessert plans?” Blair asks, but suddenly her eyes widen in response to something on my face.
“What is it?” I say, scratching my cheeks, feeling like everything itches from the inside out.
“Your face is turning really red.” She says, pushing her chair back and coming around to my side. Her hands cup my face as she tilts it, examining the damage.
“There must have been something in the meal I’m reacting to.”
I gave the bartender my list of allergies, but I have no proof it made it back to Dane, and by the thickness of my tongue, I’m going to guess it didn’t.
“Come on, let me get you to the hospital.”
