“Hi,” I say.
Tiny lines crinkle the sides of his eyes as he smirks. “Hey.”
The first thing I look at is that cocky mouth. Hot damn. Then, I gaze at his hands. Man hands. And of course, there’s that chest. I really need to get out of the house more often.
There’s a pause between us, and I’m afraid it’s going to get weird. It was a sinfully delicious kiss, but it was just a kiss. We’re adults. Heck, we’re even friends. We can move on like mature adult friends. Right?
Thankfully, he speaks up again, “You never posted the video.”
I laugh out loud. “Are you looking for your fifteen seconds of fame?”
“Hey, I’m just here to support your career in any way I can. If I have to kiss you a thousand times so you sell books, then count me in. I want to be friends with a famous person.”
“Are you just using me for my fame?” I feign shocked.
“Absolutely. When they make a movie of your book, I’m going to be on the red carpet. I look really good in a tux.”
“Well, since the fate of the world seeing you in a tux is on the line, then I suppose I could post the video. Just for you though.” I grin in his direction as I walk away to grab my phone. He enters my apartment behind me. “Do you have social media? I can tag you.”
“I have Facebook, which I don’t use often. I get why you like it though. It’s a great way to interact with your readers. I’m sure they love it.”
“I’ve made some great friends on the amazing World Wide Web.”
I upload the video while neither of us says a word.
When I post it, I glance back up at him, and he grins.
“Are you hungry? I was just about to head out for something to eat. Want to join me?”
I take a deep breath in and nod my head. “You know what? An early dinner sounds like a great idea. Just give me twenty minutes.”
His face lights up when I say yes, but I try not to read into it. Dinner with a friend might help clear my head right now with work and set us back on the right track in our relationship.
I do a quick blowout of my hair and add some makeup. Taking a cue from his jeans and button-down, I slide on a pair of ripped jeans, a sleeveless tank, and ballet flats, grabbing a light jacket before we exit my apartment together.
We head down the street to an Italian place that I love. It’s super casual with counter-style ordering. I select the ravioli while he peruses the menu for a while before deciding on a sausage sandwich. With a bottle of Chianti, we grab a seat on their patio outside.
As he pours my glass, he asks, “So, how’s the book coming along?”
“Really well actually.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“What about you? No hot date lined up tonight?”
“I thought you were my date,” he teases.
“If I were your date, I most definitely would have dressed nicer.”
“You mean, like put on a little gold dress?”
I press my fingers to my forehead and groan. “Please don’t remind me about the worst date in history. I don’t go out with a guy in years, and when I do, it’s a waste of a perfectly good dress.”
He grins. “Let’s not mourn the dress too much. I’m sure we can revitalize it. I’d be happy to take you dancing.”
“Hmm, I see. You’ll only take me out if I get all dressed up. I know your type, Jake Moreau. I’ve seen the women who come traipsing in and out of your apartment. You have definitely gone for the same kind of girl.”
“First, I’m out with you this very minute. Second, you’ve looked the same since I first met you, and I still come around. Obviously, looks aren’t a big deal to me.”
My eyes open wide in shock at the way he just said that.
He shakes his head, letting out a big laugh. “That did not sound as bad in my head. I promise.”
“It kind of did, but you’re off the hook. I don’t have an aversion to loungewear.”
“And that did not distract me from enjoying that kiss last night.”
I scrunch my eyes closed in embarrassment. “Is it possible for us to ignore that?”
“For now. But not forever.” He laughs, and I peek an eye open to see his charming grin. “I’ll let you off the hook under one condition: you tell me why you haven’t gone out with a man in years.”
I groan. Of the two topics—talking about my ambush kiss or talking about Michael—I’m having a hard time choosing the least cringeworthy.
“I moved to the city with my college sweetheart, only to have him ditch me for an Insta yoga instructor.”
“Is that why you never date? Besides that last guy who—”
“Was a complete ass and reminded me why I don’t trust men. That would be correct.”
“Not all men are slime. Some can be quite chivalrous.”
“I can’t seem to find the rare few. How can you tell the difference between the good ones and those who just want to get in your pants?”
“Trust me, all men want to get in your pants. We’re pretty simple that way. It’s just a matter of if you’re okay with it being casual or if you want something more. In that case, it’s key to communicate that to the man you’re seeing.” His lips twist to the side while his eyebrows pinch together. “I take it, there have been no one-night stands in your life?”
I shake my head while I take a bite of my ravioli. “Nope.”
“And you’re how old?” he asks with surprise.
“Why is that so hard to believe? Sorry I’ve never met a guy and slept with him right away.” I laugh.
He nods slowly. “I have. I mean, with a woman, that is. Does that make you look at
