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Afine bead of sweatdropped down the back of Tasha’s neck, leaving a tickle in its wake. She fought against the urge to wipe it away. She was sweating but she didn’t want her date toknowshe was sweating. She also didn’t want him to know she was nervous. Both of which he would have to be blind not to notice.
This was the first date she’d been on since...how many months? Who was she kidding? She hadn’t been on a date inyears. Two years and four months to be specific.
That’s when Leonard had broken up with her. She didn’t hold any ill will towards him. He’d wanted something more than she could give. Her time.
She’d been working long hours, trying to get the boutique together and he’d wanted nights cuddled in front of the television watching re-runs of his favorite shows and ice-skating competitions.
They’d parted ways on good terms, and she still spoke to him every now and again. His mother still invited her to cookouts, but she never went. Leonard had a new girlfriend he seemed to really care for and she didn’t want to be the ex who kept coming around.
Now here she was, sitting across from a lawyer she’d matched with on a dating app, desperately trying not to appear scared out of her mind. She didn’t know why she’d finally relented and let Nisha talk her into joining an app.
Oh right, because I was obsessed and needed to get my mind off Phate.
She’d thought dating someone would preoccupy her mind and stop her from watching the comings and goings of her next-door neighbor.
She was still the workaholic who cared more about her business than a relationship, but she was also lonely and in need of some company. It had taken Phate moving next door to make her realize that. And here she was, now thinking about it 24/7.
“I’ve walked past that little shop quite a few times.”
If he calls my boutique a little shop one more time...
Tasha gnashed her teeth together. Her jaw hurt from restraining the retort on her tongue.
Her date was a handsome man. Tall, but not as tall as Phate. He was also skinnier than Phate. He had on a light blue suit and buttoned-down shirt underneath. He didn’t wear a tie and the buttons were open until the third one. His whole look was appealing.
He smiled at her and picked up a spoonful of his dinner salad. “I never went in because I saw all the girl stuff in the windows,” he continued.
She used her tongue to force her teeth apart. “I only carry women’s clothing, so unless you were shopping for one, you wouldn’t have found anything interesting in there.”
He danced in his seat a little, obviously happy with the way the conversation was going. All the while she was cringing in her head.
“My sister’s birthday is coming up.”
She used her fork to push her salad around her plate. “I’m sure you can find something she’ll like in myboutique.”
“My sister’s a lawyer like me. She might not like any of the clothes you sell at your little place. But I’ll take a look, if I can get some kind of discount because I know the owner.” He gave her a playful wink. “I like supporting businesses like yours. We should all dream, no matter if it’ll work out or not.”
She couldn’t take it anymore. No, she wasn’t a lawyer but that didn’t mean what she did wasn’t important and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
She dropped her fork and folded her hands, resting them on the table. Then she leaned forward, looking directly into his eyes and smiled sweetly. “If you’re on a budget, I can find something in your price range.”
The playful smile and demeanor changed instantly. His eyes became cold and his features hardened. “I’m not poor. I have money.”
* * *
PHATE WAS IN A SOURmood. He didn’t want to be on this date. He’d tried to cancel but the female had cried and told him she’d gotten her hair and nails done and bought a new dress for the occasion.
Apparently, all of that was important to Earth females. Even so, he was still going to cancel but she’d told him about the hard day at work she’d had and she really needed to get out of the house.
Since he also needed to get out of the apartment, he agreed. He’d stayed home watching over Solgre most of the day while Kien went on breakfast, brunch and late lunch dates. Phate hadn’t been jealous. He was already tired of dating. Before it had felt like an adventure and scientific experiment. Now, it felt like a chore, and he would rather be spending time with someone who actually piqued his interest. Like Tasha.
Seated across the table from him, his date rambled about her clothes and hair, while he desperately tried to come up with excuses to cut the evening short. From the corner of his eyes, he caught a flash of color. He froze and turned to see better. Tasha strode in with a confident walk, chin high and breezed by his table.
Phate’s breath caught in his throat. She wore a light, pink pants outfit that molded to her frame. The top hugged her ample breasts and skimmed along her small waist. Her pants clung to her hips and butt while the legs flared ever so slightly toward the bottom.
She looked as sophisticated as the females in the magazines he’d seen. She could model and have her pictures splattered on billboards around town. He was sure every female who saw the images would hurry to buy whatever she was selling.
The desire to go to her and leave his date behind had him pushing his chair back slightly. His date cleared her throat then launched into another story he barely heard.
