Chapter 1
NELL
How the hell did I get roped into this?
A blind date, of all things.
I hated things like this, especially now on the one day where everyone celebrated being in love—Valentine’s Day.
While many would be happy to be out with the one they chose, I get to spend my night with a guy who was about twenty minutes late. Who the hell does that?
The only reason I agreed to this was because my best friend, Jenna, kept on about my lack of men and sex in my life. That part is true since I have been single for the last two years and haven’t been on a date during that time. I focused on my career and getting my degree, leaving no room for a man in my life.
Why do people think they have to butt into something they know nothing about? I know Jenna meant well, but this was not what I wanted and not how I wanted to spend my valentine’s day.
Last year, I kept away from town or doing anything remotely romantic. Taking the day off from my part-time job was all I did and stayed inside with my favourite bottle of wine and some takeaway. Even though I did order enough for two people, nobody needed to know that. I ordered enough for two days since I couldn’t be arsed to go grocery shopping for food. There was a method to my madness which worked. No one bothered me. I switched off my phone and watched Johnny Deep as Jack Sparrow, which curbed my appetite for any man.
Shaking my thoughts away, I looked toward the door again and still no one walked through the door. I let out a sigh when someone cleared their throat. I looked up to see who it was—my server, Leo. “Would you like another drink?” he asked, his face looking slightly flushed.
Not wanting to make a big deal out of nothing, I gave him a small smile. “Sure, could I get another glass of white wine, please?” I murmured, looking back at the door. I didn’t want to know what he was thinking. It was already embarrassing knowing myself that I was being stood up, and I didn’t need the good-looking server to think I was that pathetic.
My mind raced over what Jenna told me about Evan, my so-called date. He was a nice guy. She knew him from work and was her boss’s son. He mentioned he was looking for a date for valentine’s day. Apparently, she mentioned me, and he was all for it, but the way he was acting and not showing up means this was a mistake. Right?
“Do you know how long the person you are meeting is going to be?” Leo asked, which made me look at him with a frown. The man stared at me and shook my head. What else could I say? I had no clue what was going on.
Evan knew what I looked like since Jenna had shown him my photo. If he didn’t want to meet, then he should have said something to her beforehand. I haven’t been in contact with him since Jenna wanted to keep everything a surprise from me and set it all up with him. The only thing I had to decide was where we were going.
Fuck, Leo needed an answer. “I think I’ll have the glass of wine and then—”
“Nell, darling.” A man’s voice came, which made me look over to who walked in, wearing a button-down shirt and dark jeans. He was also easy on the eyes, but looks can be deceiving. He walked towards me but staggered into a chair.
Was he drunk?
Fuck, this can’t be happening to me. Keeping my face neutral, and plastered a fake smile on my lips and stayed in my seat while I kept my eyes on him.
Thinking back to when Jenna mentioned where we were going, I am now thankful and lucky I was that I picked this place and not him. I needed something familiar, which meant some staff knew who I was, and Leo was one of them. I have spoken to him a few times and even had a laugh with him and Eli, a friend of mine and Jenna’s. When he heard about the blind date Jenna was setting me up on, Eli wanted to make sure the man wasn’t a dick.
Well, so far, I wasn’t impressed, and whatever came out of his mouth next would determine my opinion.
My eyes stayed on Evan till he was before me and leaned into me, placing a kiss on my cheek. The guy reeked of beer and even perfume. Was he with another woman? My stomach churned when Evan moved back and sat opposite me. He smiled and then looked to the side at Leo. “Cheers, mate, thank you for keeping my date company. Now get me a beer, then we can order some food.”
What the hell? No, sorry for the being late. This guy was the son of a CEO. I couldn’t understand how someone could be so rude. Remembering Leo, my eyes darted to Leo, who gave Evan a dark look and then walked away, saying nothing.
Would it be harsh to pray he would tell Eli about him so he could save me from this hellhole, but it also depended on what Eli was doing?
“So, I know I am late, but I had to finish up with some friends,” Evan said, pulling me back from my racing thoughts. All I could do was nod. He grinned and then talked.
Evan continued talking for ten minutes, and never let me get a word in.
Don’t get me wrong, this date wasn’t my idea and I could easily get up and leave, but Jenna asked me to promise to give this man a chance since he was the son of her boss and I was thinking I would give him the courtesy of finding out more about Evan, but with him being twenty minutes late and then with the way he smelt, I was on the verge of making a runner.
“Jenna mentioned you are looking for some fun,” he said, leaning back in his seat and his eyes burning into mine. I could feel his eyes move over my body; even watch him do it till he came back to my eyes. “I can see us leaving here and having some fun. Back to your place or mine?”
That part had my eyebrows raised. Seriously, this man thought I wanted to hook up. That would be a hard and not for me.
“I don’t do hookups,” I said flatly, even though I could do with a man between my legs, but Evan wasn’t going anywhere near me, not even to hold my hand. “Sorry if that isn’t your thing, but—”
“Well, we can have some food and see what you fancy afterwards.”
Well, he clearly thought he was in for a shot with me. Oh, how I was looking forward to turning this jackass down!
“How long have you—”
“Well, let’s order some food,” Evan said, grabbing the menu and opening it. His eyes scanned over the thing, while I sat there staring at the man and wondering if I could stab him with the butter knife.
Surely, no one would say anything.
My eyes moved from Evan’s and looked around the restaurant. There were couples around, celebrating their love with the person they love, and I was here with a dick. This was going to be the shortest date in history, I could tell.
This place had a reputation for offering a variety of foods and catering to everyone. They would even make something that wasn’t on the menu, within reason. Easton, Eli and Leo’s boss were exceptional like that and would usually do that type of thing, especially for children.
“Well, I know what I am having,” Evan said, looking at me and then around. I watched this man stare at someone, who I assume was Leo, and wave him over.
There was no need to be so brazen.
My eyes moved away from Evan again and locked onto Leo, who seemed to be annoyed. He came up to the table with a tray and placed a smile on his lips when he noticed I was looking at him. He stopped and placed our drinks in front of us. Putting the tray under his arm, he pulled out his pad and pen. “Are you ready to order?” he asked, looking at us.
I went to open my mouth, but Evan spoke. “Finally, I would like the steak and fries,” he said and then looked at me.
I smiled but looked at Leo, who stared and nodded. “I’ll have the cheese—”
“No, you won’t,” Evan said, cutting me off and made me look back at him, my eyes widening with my mouth falling open but closed when his next words came out of his mouth. “Don’t you think you need to lay off the meat or fatty stuff?” His eyes roamed over my body again and then spoke. “I think a salad will do better for you.”
Anger filled me, but I was too stunned to say anything. And besides, Evan shooed Leo away. “You got our order now,” Evan said, glaring toward Leo. “You can leave. I would like to talk more to chubs here.”
Well, that butter knife was looking more like a murder weapon now. Hell, I would like to smash my glass of wine over this fucker’s pretty face. That is no way to speak to a date, let alone someone you just met.
What the hell was Jenna thinking setting me up with this dick?
Evan talked again, and like before, it was all about him and his family. My eyes stayed on him, but glanced to where the servers usually were, praying to see Leo but he was gone. I could only image what he was thinking.
I needed a way out from this date, but how?
