Page 16 of Spell Ya Later

Oh, my memory didn’t do his lanky gorgeousness any justice. Tonight he’s wrapped up in a forest-green sweater that does terribly beautiful things to his dark brown eyes, and crisp slacks.

“Hi Noah.” I smile, walking toward him slowly. I’m not about to move too fast and fall on my ass.

Which totally hasn’t happened before. Multiple times.

“You look beautiful,” he says once I’m closer, pulling out my chair. I didn’t realize guys who pull out chairs for their date still exist.

“Thank you. You look very handsome,” I reply because I have no filter. And it’s true.

I try to cover the dark blush on my cheeks by hiding behind my menu, but I can still see the grin that breaks on his face.

So maybe I don’t regret saying that too much.

“I’m glad we get to do this. Thank you for coming to dinner with me,” he continues after a couple seconds of menu perusing.

I’m looking for the most carb-loaded item on this menu, and the fact that I’m at an Italian restaurant means I’m in heaven.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

My cheeks—my cheeks are burning.

“How was your class today?” he asks, relaxing his lanky limbs into his wooden chair.

It’s like he’s an octopus or something. But, like, a sexy octopus.

I place my menu down. “I teach two classes on Saturdays, a shorter morning class and then a longer afternoon class after lunch. They both went well. The Saturday classes are my favorite.”

“Why’s that?”

I smile. “You’re going to judge me, but it’s because those classes tend to be filled with couples. Specifically, older couples. You can tell they’re there because they want to spend time with each other. They aren’t there to make the best work in the class, or to lord their prowess over other people. They just want to enjoy their time together.”

When did I become such a sap?

“That’s sweet,” he says with a smile so earnest I actually believe he means it. “What’s different about your other classes?”

“Wednesday is aspiring art students day,” I reply with an over-dramatic shudder.

He laughs, the sound tickling along my skin. I could quickly get addicted to it. “It’s like you just said Frankenstein’s monster or something. Are they really that bad?”

“Yes, they are completely and totally that bad.”

“Maybe you’ll let me come by sometime. It sounds like this is something I have to see.”

“Oh!” He wants to come to my class? No one has ever been interested in my classes. Or my art in general, if I’m honest. A little ball of emotion wedges in the back of my throat despite how I try to swallow it away. “I can’t imagine you’d have much fun. But, of course, you’re welcome to come by.”

“Good evening. May I get you something to drink?” The waiter saves me from my awkwardness. Thank you, generic young man with white shirt and black tie.

Noah gestures for me to go first.

“Water and a Coke, please,” I reply. Still no drinking for this lady.

“Make that two.”

“Fantastic. Would you enjoy bread on the table while you peruse your menus?”

It’s almost insulting that he has to ask.

“Yes, please!” I say, possibly too enthusiastically. The waiter nods politely and departs while Noah chuckles.