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CHAPTER 16
Honey
It probably wasn’t the smartest move to tell a stranger where I work. I realized that when he walked into the store earlier than expected and straight up to me while my manager was there.
That was awkward.
Thankfully, Alana is amazing and let me go early since we weren’t overly busy. But she’d been surprised when I’d clarified that Marco was far from any type of lover, and this would be my first date here in New York. And now, if anything, she was shoving me into it because she wanted to live vicariously through me.
So now, I sit across from him with him looking at me like he’s about to have me for dinner.Eww.No, thank you.
I mean, he isn’t bad-looking. This man obviously works out. His clothes are tight on him, and he has a nicesmile, but the longer I sit here with him smiling at me, the creepier it becomes. My impression of how my first date would go is crumbling fast. Does any vetting happen in dating apps? I’m certain I downloaded the most popular app. But how did it produce… well, this?
“So, do you wear items from the shop under your clothes?” He nods to my dress.
“Excuse me?” I ask indignantly.
“Yeah, I saw a blue piece that would look so good on you.”
My skin crawls. “No, I do not.”
I do, but he doesn’t need to know that because he willneverget the chance to find out.Ever.
Fuck. How did it end up like this?Now, I wish Marco was looming over my shoulder so I could at least find the situation laughable.
“I can always buy you something. You get a discount, right? I know that place is expensive.”
“I think I’ll be all right,” I reply, lifting a glass of wine to my lips.
“You seem almost done with that drink. Would you like to head to my place after this for a nightcap?”
“No,” I tell him straight up. I don’t intend to lead him on. I can see this will go nowhere. And I want this over… like an hour ago.
“No? So what? You think you’ll get a free meal and not have to put out?” he asks. “That’s cocky of you.”
I’m almost shocked. But not really. He appears thetype. Asshole!
“I’ll pay for my half,” I offer. I’ve been around my share of men, but what sits before me isn’t that… that thing is a boy. A man-child at best. I finally understand why my friends at home complained about their dating life. Suddenly, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on much.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” the ass announces, then stands and weaves his way around the other tables. I sit there with my glass of wine, look at his empty plate, and back to my pasta, which I hardly touched. A meal is only as good as the company you share it with.
“Miss, the bill.” I glance up at the waiter.
“I’m waiting for my date to return,” I tell him.
“Miss, he left and told me to send the bill over.”
Anger bubbles in my blood and I do everything to remain composed, especially in public.That fucking asshole.
I politely smile, take the bill, and slide my credit card into the folder before handing it back to the waiter.
When he comes back, he offers me an apologetic grimace. “I just want to let you know he’s done this to two other ladies before you. Sorry again, miss.”
Two other ladies.
What a fuckhead.
I bet it’s because they didn’t want to sleep with him, either. I collect my things and stand. When I slide my chair in, I glance to the back of the room and feel eyes on me. It’s then I see him—not my runaway date, but Dawson. He’s sitting with three women and one man.Of course, he is. Because why wouldn’t Dawson be here? I raise my chin, turn around, and walk out.
