“As long as it has top shelf booze,” she said with a wink and slithered by me even though there was clearly enough room to pass. She sat in the seat, and I closed the door.
I stood outside of her door for a minute, gathering my thoughts. By her tone, I could tell she was laying it on thick. I might not have dated in a while, but I knew people. And with her callous mention of my net worth, had she agreed to go on this date because of my money?
A knock on the window brought me back to reality. I jogged over to my side of the car and got in. There was no reason to judge this woman before getting to know her. She had a fantastic body from being a yoga teacher. There was nothing wrong with her wanting to show it off. And I would have a gorgeous woman sitting next to me at dinner.
My assessment had been right. Kimberly was the focal point of most people at the restaurant. When we sat at our table, more heads turned in her direction than at their own food. Even though I didn’t mind the attention to us, I hoped that there was more of a connection than just physical attraction. It would suff
ice for a one night stand, but I was over that stage. I wanted to settle down with someone who loved Gina and me. I couldn’t be selfish and think about myself anymore. At least not when I had Jess waiting at home for me. If I stayed the night with her friend, I’d risk awkwardness in the morning for sure. I doubted Jess would mind, but I also wasn’t that guy. At least I’d never been before.
The host held out a chair for Kimberly, and she winked at him.
I couldn’t help but feel taken aback by the gesture. She’d winked at me before when I got her into the car. Was that her thing? Or was she flirting with the host on our date?
“Your server will be with you shortly,” he said, taking an inappropriate longing look at my date.
A sour taste filled my mouth as she noticed and slowly licked her lips.
That I couldn’t ignore. “Do you want wine?” I asked, trying to get her attention back.
It wasn’t hard. She glanced at the wine list and handed it to me. “I like red wine. Choose the most expensive.”
I chuckled. “Expensive doesn’t mean good.”
“I know,” she purred. “But we’d look like a power couple if an expensive label sat on our table.”
I focused on the wine list. If I looked up, I might see the seriousness in her expression, and I wasn’t ready for that. Was this woman for real? It was one thing to comment on my car, but I felt a little like I was paying for this woman to date me.
And the night only got worse from there.
Talking to Kimberly was like trying to get the attention of a puppy. Her attention flitted across the room, focusing on anything shiny or new. Only when I asked about her did she go on several one-sided conversations about her hope for opening her own yoga studio.
Then she hit me with a big one.
“I think when we solidify whatever amazing connection we have, then we could go in together on a studio.”
I gritted my teeth, appalled by this woman’s frankness. If she wasn’t Jess’s friend, then I might have told her I wouldn’t partner up with an airhead like her in a million years. I now knew for a fact she agreed to this date after knowing how much I made. Once again, I wondered how the hell Jess was friends with this girl. Jess had a heart of gold, and this girl appeared not to have one. Or tact either.
Once the waiter took our empty entrée plates, I signaled him for the check.
“No dessert?” she asked, leaning against the table. Her breasts swelled over the tablecloth.
“We should get going,” I said, meeting her eyes. My eyes watered trying to keep them above her neck.
Kimberly talked the entire ride home. About herself, of course, and then when we got to her place, I idled the car in front of her building.
She turned and smoothed her hand over my thigh.
“You should come up,” she said, her eyes sparkling and her speech slurred. She’d drunk most of the wine at dinner.
“I need to get home and relieve Jess,” I said.
Kimberly waved her hand. “She’ll be okay. That’s her job.”
“Maybe another time,” I said, trying to let her down gently.
She pouted, and I unlocked the doors, giving her a hint.
“Fine,” she said, flipping from flirty to upset. “Your loss.” Then she got out and slammed my car door closed.