Disappointing.
The Zombie Mobile let out a belch of black smoke and then pulled back into traffic. At the door, I stopped, pulling in a deep breath. My phone vibrated, so I stepped to the side.
From JJ, maybe?
Ellie: Good luck on the date and be safe. I slipped a handheld taser into your purse before you left for Adventura, just in case.
A quick inspection confirmed. I rolled my eyes.
Lizbeth: Thanks. You’re worse than Mav, you know?
Ellie: I know. Devin and I are driving to Jackson City now to hit up a movie. If you need anything, we’re literally up the road.
Lizbeth: How ironic is the fact that you’re driving from little old Pineville to Jackson City right now?
Ellie: It’s entirely on purpose. I wanted to make sure you’re safe because blind dates can be weird. Dev talked me out of doing dinner at the same restaurant, so be grateful.
A little smile graced my face. Ellie’s obsession with safety wasn’t new—it had always been a bit extreme. A pang tugged at my heart. I already missed her, and it had only been a few days. Devin, even as a football player, wouldn’t be half as scary as my sister if I found myself in a bad date situation.
Lizbeth: I’ll be safe. JJ is in Jackson City too. He gave me a ride.
Ellie: On the date?!
Lizbeth: No, that would be totally weird.
Ellie: So are we if you need us. Seriously—we can be there in minutes. If he’s some weird serial killer . . .
Lizbeth: What is it with everyone and the serial killer thing? We’re in a very public restaurant! And I’m good, but thank you. I’m going to go in, enjoy that date, then go back to my cabin in Adventura alone, take off my bra, and enjoy a romance novel. Easy night!
Feeling better for some reason, I shoved my phone in my purse, drew in a deep breath, and banished JJ from my mind. I was fine. This was fine.
Everything was fine.
The smell of wine and grapefruit hit me with a gentle wave when I stepped inside Belle Vie. Grapevines curled around the pillars at the entrance. Live violin music sang from somewhere within the restaurant. In the background, a few waiters bustled past in white shirts with black ties and pocketed aprons. A couple in the foyer wore an evening gown and a tux.
Whoa.
This place was something else.
“Lizbeth?”
A broad-shouldered man strode toward me from near a potted palm in the corner. He smiled warmly, a hand extended, the other behind his back.
“Tyler?” I asked.
A bright smile greeted me as our fingers touched. He had a firm shake and kind, soulful green eyes in a face framed by dark hair. His curls glistened in the dim light, and I wanted to run my hands through them. Holy swooner, but I wanted to lean in and smell him. He smelled like Acqua di Gio and perfection.
I internally squealed.
“Nice to officially meet you,” he purred.
“You as well.”
“I appreciate you coming to help me map this world a little better. You see, I’m far more used to a city, and the mountains . . . they’re different.”
“I understand.”
Tyler’s other hand came out from behind his back, proffering a sprawling bouquet of red roses.
“For you,” he said. “As a token of my gratitude.”
He thrust them toward me. I accepted out of a sense of numb shock. Sprigs of baby’s breath littered the thick greenery nestled around the roses. Crimson veins ran like rivers through the gentle petals. Sweet baby pineapple, but these were the real deal. These were no grocery store flowers. They must have cost at least a hundred dollars.
“Wow.” I blinked, inhaling their gentle fragrance. “Uh . . . thank you.”
“Bethany had nothing but praise for you. She mentioned that you’re a romantic at heart.” He straightened and held out one arm, elbow bent. “I am as well. I also believe in the power of first impressions. You can never recover from a bad one.”
My heart almost seized. Hadn’t I just said that to JJ?
“Besides”—Tyler waved a hand—“every woman deserves a gorgeous set of flowers. Especially on a first date. Ready? They already have our table set up. I picked the back corner. Hope that’s okay.”
With the flowers cradled in my right arm, I gave him my left. Not only was I possibly underdressed in black slacks and a silky white dolman-sleeve shirt from Banana’s—I was definitely totally overwhelmed.
“Of course it’s okay. And the flowers—they’re . . . they’re beautiful. I don’t know what to say beyond thank you.”
“They pale in comparison to you.” He winked and started to walk.
Senseless, I followed.
Was this a little weird? Not at all. This was a man who knew how to impress a girl on their first date. Romance on every axis. Flowers. Offering his arm. Commanding the date. He’s a little bit alpha, I thought. Which piqued my curiosity. Alpha-male romances had always been so exciting. Daring.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be so taken care of? If anything, this was an ideal date for my research. So, this was fine.
Except my throat felt a little hot.
Tyler led us farther into the dim restaurant, which smelled like a delectable mixture of gardenia and melted butter. Flickering candles danced among the low murmur of couples in dark wooden booths. The ambiance was sanguine and mellow. A violinist slowly sashayed around the tables.
Storybook romance.
He led me to a quiet corner all the way in the back, with only one table. The intimacy felt like a cocoon.
“Oh.”
The sound escaped my mouth before I could stop it. Pillar candles illuminated our closed-off space. Red rose petals scattered the tabletop and chairs. Half-full wine glasses graced both place settings, along with what appeared to be a wrapped box of chocolates in gold foil on top of one plate. Gossamer curtains could be drawn to give us more privacy.
Tyler practically vomited romance from the books and right onto the table. The meaning of the quick patter of my heart wasn’t
