This is how easy it is to get taken in. Because I was about to ask him about his brother and what kind of foods they’ve been eating. Luckily I catch myself. Just because this guy is clearly a stalker doesn’t mean that I have to play along.
We go through the self-checkout, with Vin drawing all the female clerks to “help” when he can’t get his chips to scan properly. While they’re busy, I bag my groceries at light speed and rush out.
I’m halfway across the parking lot when he appears behind me, breathing heavily.
“Wait! Just hold on.”
When he bends over and looks pained, I instantly feel guilty. He got hit by a freaking car less than a week ago and now he’s running after me in a parking lot.
“You shouldn’t be running. Actually you shouldn’t be out grocery shopping either. You’re supposed to be resting and icing your wrist.”
He straightens and starts walking next to me. “I’m tired of that. Besides, clearly I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Not this again.
Maybe he’s just not good at leaving things open-ended. Clearly he’s a person who needs closure.
I stop and hold out my hand.
He blinks. “What is that?”
It takes actual effort to hold back an eye-roll.
“
It’s a handshake. Customary when saying goodbye to a virtual stranger.”
“I’m not a stranger.”
Instantly that look is back in his eye, the one that promises he’s not going to back down. The fact that it makes me so happy is exactly why this needs to end now.
“You are. You’re supposed to be. One night stands are supposed to be people you don’t see again.”
“We didn’t have a one night stand.”
“It was one night.”
“Nothing happened other than me watching you sleep. Technically it was a zero night stand. That doesn’t count.”
Since I can’t refute his logic, I focus on the real point. He wants the night we should have had. Is there really any point in pretending I don’t want the same thing?
“A do-over might be possible.”
We’ve reached my car and I hit the button to open the trunk. After loading all the bags, I turn to look at him. He’s got that knowing look on his face like my nonchalant act isn’t fooling him one bit.
Any man this hot knows what he’s working with. I’m sure he’s used to women throwing themselves at him all the time but if that’s what he’s waiting for he’ll be standing here a long time.
“We can go back to the bar. Pretend we’re meeting for the first time again.”
He shakes his head immediately. “No bar. A real restaurant. I want to be able to hear you.”
“Why? We both know what you really want. We might as well just pick a hotel.”
“You seem like the kind of woman who can appreciate honesty. So I’m just going to put it out there. I don’t want to take you to a hotel. I want to take you on a real date.”
Stunned, I can’t look away. There’s an intensity in his eyes that demands I listen. I’m not sure anyone could walk away when a man like this is being so bravely vulnerable.
“Why? I mean you don’t even know me,” I say finally.