Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
He didn’t stay, rushing out of the parlor and heading home. His car was parked right outside of his place because he’d decided to walk.
It had been years since he spent so much time running, and as he arrived at his place, he was out of breath, but he didn’t stop.
Aria might need him.
He showered fast and found his tux, the one he always wore for weddings, and then grabbed his keys, heading out. His hair was dripping wet, but he didn’t have time to style it. Besides, he’d put the window down and let nature do the rest. It would give him that messy look that chicks seemed to dig.
On the road, he pressed his foot to the gas, trying to get to the restaurant on time.
His cell phone was blowing up and one glance he saw it was texts from all of his so-called friends.
They shouldn’t have allowed Aria to leave. It was plain and fucking simple. What they had done was bullshit. He was so mad at them.
Aria shouldn’t go out on dates unless one of them was with her. She was sweet, kind, sensitive. Right now, he had a real issue with anyone hurting her.
Pulling up to the restaurant, he found a good parking space across the street, paid the price for the meter, and rushed across. There was a bar, so he didn’t have to even ask for a table.
He took a seat, ordered himself a soda, and checked out the restaurant. At the bar, he had a clear view of the entire place, and he spotted her by the window seat … alone. She had her cell phone in her hand and was typing away.
Where was her date?
Paying for his soda, he walked over and decided to find out what was going on.
“You okay?” he asked.
Aria looked up. “Max, what are you doing here?”
“I was out looking for a date.” He slid into the booth. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Did June tell you where I was going?”
“No, she didn’t tell me.” It wasn’t a lie. No words left June’s mouth over her whereabouts. “What are you doing here?”
“I was supposed to go on a date, but he’s nearly an hour late and I didn’t know if traffic, or if I should leave.” She shrugged.
Seeing how dejected she looked, Max took a sip of his soda, wishing it was something stronger.
Aria hadn’t looked upset in all the time he’d known her, as adults. She held this frosty exterior around her like a blanket, and now, well, he was starting to feel like shit.
She turned to look around the room, and he caught the glint of tears in her eyes and it cut him to the core, to know some asshole had made her feel like this.
“So, hey, beautiful, do you come here often?” he asked, putting his soda down.
“Max, what are you doing?” She pushed a stray curl off her head, and he reached out, tucking it behind her ear. She didn’t push him away.
“Well, you’re here looking for a date, and I’m here all alone. Why not make this a … date?”
She smiled. “Have you ever been on a date?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“You’ve never ever been on a date?” she asked.
“Never ever.” He shrugged. “I’ve not exactly wanted to date women, Aria. You can fill in the blanks.”
“I really don’t want to.” She blew out a breath. “This sucks.”
He watched as she did some tapping on her phone.
“Some people are just meant to die miserable and alone, I guess.” She pressed a button. “There, deleted.”
“What did you delete?”
“My profile. I’m not cut out for this dating world. I can’t even get a guy to come on one date.” She shook her head, and he hated how dejected she sounded.
“Don’t let this loser get to you. He’s not worth it. No one is worth it. You look absolutely beautiful, and if you’d let me, I’d really love to have this date with you.”
“You’ve never been on a date though.”
“So, we can both have our firsts together. How about that?” He watched her press her lips together.
The waitress appeared before Aria could respond. “I see your date has finally arrived. Would you like to order?”
The waitress turned to him, and he saw the interest in her eyes. He wasn’t interested.
“Oh, it’s fine. He’s not my—”
“We’ll both have the steak, fries, and make sure there’s a salad on the side. Don’t be skimpy with the cheese either.” He handed back the menu, and the waitress disappeared.
“Max, that woman thinks you’re on a date with me.”
“Good. I don’t want anyone else tonight but you.” He reached out and took her hand. For a split second, she allowed him to hold her before finally withdrawing her hand.
“I don’t think I can do this. How could you just order like that?”
“One, I know you love steak. Two, everyone loves fries. Three, chicks dig salad, and besides, I’m hungry so the salad is for me. And four, this meal is on me. You’re not paying.”