Eli, my high school boyfriend, was the last person I went on a date with. We dated for one year in college before he broke it off.
“It was…three years ago,” I say as I realize it.
I stare up at him, and we stop walking.
He’s looking at me like he wants to ask me the same question I want to ask him.
Did I stop dating because of him? I didn’t—well, not exactly. I didn’t know he existed yet. I didn’t know my father had already chosen. I just knew it would eventually happen.
When I don’t answer and when I don’t ask, he turns us to the building we have stopped in front of.
“We are here.”
Now, I really wish I had changed.
“What can I get you to drink?” the waitress says.
She looks tired, but when she looks down at my attire, I swear, she smirks at me.
I stare back down at the menu, hoping to God that some drink will pop out at me so that I will know what to order, but there are no drinks listed on the menu. I glance around the diner. From the looks of this place, I doubt they have the wine he’s bought me before. Actually, I doubt they have any wine. I should order a beer, but I don’t even know where to start. So, instead of answering the woman, I just stare intently at my menu.
“What do you want to drink, Kinsley?”
I look up to see Killian staring at me with a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It’s weird to hear my name fall from his lips. I can’t recall him using it before, but I realize what he’s doing. He’s giving me exactly what I said I wanted. He’s not going to help me, not unless I beg. And I’m not above begging right now if he will help me.
I plead with my eyes for him to just order a drink for us. I pucker my lip, like Scarlett taught me.
He rolls his eyes at my look and sits up straighter, turning his attention to the waitress.
“I’ll have a Miller Lite. Bring her a Blue Moon. We will have your mountain onion ring appetizer with extra sauce. And we both want your special burger, hold the onions.”
Killian takes the menu from me and hands it to the lady, who rushes off, glad to finally be done with us.
“You really can’t make a quick decision.”
“I can.” I take a deep breath, ready to reveal something embarrassing. “I just haven’t had a lot of experience with drinking. I’ve only drunk a handful of times in my life.”
“Well, that explains a lot.”
“You didn’t have to order my dinner for me though.”
“I was afraid, if you took any longer, the waitress would end up spitting in our food. She’s obviously swamped tonight, and you were taking half an hour just to order your drink. What did you want? I’ll make sure she changes the order.”
I sigh. “I was going to order exactly what you ordered me.” My cheeks flush at the admission that he was right—again.
Killian just smiles and shakes his head.
“So, what made you choose this place? I’m guessing you don’t come here often. Doesn’t seem like it has the healthiest of menus.”
“Just wanted to get you the best burger in Vegas after I denied you one the other day.”
You denied me more than just a burger, I think as I bite my lip.
The beers and appetizer are thrust onto the table. I take a sip of the beer. It’s definitely not the Chateau Margaux wine that Killian ordered me before, but it’s drinkable. I take an onion ring off the tower before me.
“Tell me something about yourself. You might be my future husband one day, if we don’t figure a way out of this mess. I might as well know more about you.”
He shakes his head. “I’ve already figured a way out of this. You just have yet to agree to it. But, okay, I’ll play. What do you want to know?”