He sends back, “Are you serious?”
I grimace, not sure how he means that. The lack of tone leaves me thinking that joke didn’t land as I reread it. If he really thinks I’m offering to go see a Disney movie with him and his kid sister, I would feel like sort of an asshole saying no. I don’t hate being around him, I just can’t trust him not to maul me. With Chloe there, that wouldn’t be an issue. Besides, I have a little brother; it’s not like I’m a stranger to Disney movies.
I don’t know if his “are you serious?” was one of disbelief or actual interest. I decide to err on the side of actual interest, since at least if I’m wrong, I will look like the idiot and not him. I can handle it.
“Sure, why not? I think I might actually prefer to have a tiny buffer there. She’s a sassy taskmaster; she’ll keep you in line if you try to get all crazy.”
“Until I bribe her with ice cream,” he replies. “Then you’re on your own.”
“I’m glad to see her sense of girl power can only be bought out by frozen dairy,” I reply.
“Everyone has their price,” he states.
I crack a smile, glancing up as movement catches my eye and someone approaches the cash register. “All right, I have to get back to work. If you can manage to get my phone number, then I will talk to you later.”
“You really want to hang out with a little hellion all night?” he asks, to be sure.
“Chloe will be there, too,” I tease.
“Ha ha,” he sends back, dryly.
“You walked right into it,” I point out.
“I’ll show you a hellion.”
“You already have,” I remind him, before slipping the phone in my pocket, pasting on a smile, and going to ring out the waiting customer.
Chapter 16
It takes Carter just under an hour to get my phone number. He texts me a link to a trailer for the Disney movie we are apparently taking Chloe to with the message, “You asked for this.”
“It looks heartwarming and adorable,” I reply.
“This is definitely the first date you expected, right?” he answers.
“Actually, I never agreed to go out with you in the first place,” I remind him.
“Details, details,” he replies.
I clock out promptly at four and head home, figuring even if I’m not calling it a date, I should probably change out of my work T-shirt before I meet him and Chloe at the movie theater.
Before I even get out of my shirt, Carter texts me that there’s been a change in plans, Chloe is hungry and she insists she needs to eat before the movie. He tells me to meet him at Chick-fil-A down the road from the theater.
“Not there,” I text back.
“Why not?” he asks.
People from my church work there, and I don’t really want to run into them while I’m out with Carter Mahoney. That’s probably the wrong thing to say, so instead, I try a redirect. “How about wings again? Or Sonic?”
“Chloe thinks she’s royalty, she can’t be bothered to eat in a car. She requires sit-down dining and chicken nuggets. If you want to fight with a five-year-old about waffle fries, you be my guest. I’ve already traveled that road. It’s a losing battle.”
I crack a smile. “How about drive-thru Chick-fil-A and we take it to the park? I’ve never known a child to get mad about going to the park, no matter how prissy.”
“Why don’t you want to go inside Chick-fil-A? Do you know someone who works there or something? You like a boy, Ellis? It’s okay, you can tell me.”
Yeah, right. I can only imagine the torment he would inflict on a guy I admitted to liking who isn’t him.
“Don’t worry,” I assure him. “Apparently I only go out with guys I DON’T like.”
“Oh good, well then I’m all set,” he replies.
I toss the phone down on my bed and turn to the closet, looking for a shirt he won’t try to open while we’re sitting in a theater with a small child. To stay on the safe side, I select a cranberry ¾ sleeve ribbed sweater. The material is thin, but with the sleeves, it’s more fitting for cooler weather. Today is a hot day, but it shows no cleavage and shouldn’t tempt him. I can’t believe I have to pick outfits based on what won’t tempt my date. This is terrible. Good lord.
Shoving away that swell of common sense, I tug the top on and pick up my phone to see what Carter’s last text says. “Your reluctance to go there has made me also want Chick-fil-A. You wanna meet there, or should I pick you up?”
“As always, I am bowled over by your concern for what I want,” I reply.
“You’re welcome,” he replies.
I roll my eyes. “I’ll meet you there.”