Page 30 of Not Mine To Love

Strangely enough, Meredith convinced the school librarian, Lori, to go on a date with Dad. And Dana set up a date with me and her administrative assistant at work. I was kind of looking forward to it. I didn’t expect a love match, but it would be nice to at least get out there.

If love like Ana’s and Julius’ existed, then maybe there would be enough to go around for me. I was done being cynical. Like Dad said, I was totes too young for that.

“Well, wish me luck,” he said when a car honked from out front.

I looked confused. “Hold on, how are you getting there? Is she coming to pick you up?”

“Are you kidding me? I’m taking an Uber. I haven’t had a night out in forever. So if my date turns out to be a bust, I still plan to get my drink on.”

“Get your drink on? Who are you or what have you done with my father?”

He laughed, kissed my forehead, and said, “Have a good time.”

“You too.”

He whistled as he disappeared out the door. My dad. Going on a date. In an Uber. Life sure knew how to throw twists.

I didn’t know what the evening held for me, but I was excited about it. I guessed some of Dad’s optimism had rolled off on me.

* * *

Unlike Dad, I was totally going to drive to meet my date. What if my date was psycho? I needed to make sure I could make a clean getaway.

I threw on a pair of jeans and my favorite tee. I tossed on a jacket and headed to the car. On the way, my phone rang.

It was Dana.

“Are you on your way yet? I’m so excited. You’re going to love Douglas.” She was gushing. I’d never heard Dana so excited.

“I’m sure he’s great,” I said as I slid in the car.

“He’s amazing. The best. You’ll see. And so handsome. Hot. He’s hot. You’ll love him.”

The more she said it, the more I kind of doubted it. She was definitely overcompensating for something. I shrugged it off and told her I would call her back after my date.

I heard he didn’t live too far from me, and we were meeting at a trendy casual dining restaurant downtown with a huge patio. I heard there was even karaoke some weeknights. I didn’t plan on getting drunk enough to try that.

It turned out there was a free valet, so I handed my keys off to the man standing in tight jeans and black shirt. I guessed uniforms weren’t a thing anymore. I secretly hoped I hadn’t just handed my keys to a stranger, but when he turned around I saw the restaurant’s logo on the back of his shirt.

I sighed in relief. Yay. I hadn’t given my car keys to a car thief.

My date said he would meet me at the entrance of the restaurant. I certainly hoped he would be there soon. Now, suddenly I was nervous. How did I look? Was my t-shirt a stupid idea? Was I dressed too casually? Oh god, maybe I should just go home.

“Becca?” said a voice behind me.

I turned around and made myself swallow. God he was hot. He was tall with long brown hair that almost touched his shoulders. He had hazel eyes and a warm, inviting, smile.

“Becca?” he said again, now looking a little unsure of himself.

I finally found my voice. “Yeah, and you must be Douglas.”

He extended his hand formally, and I took it, his large palm swallowing my own. It was then that I saw the tattoos that went straight up his arm. Sexy. Definitely the opposite of Tom. I felt that I was winning already, no matter how this night turned out.

He reached for my hand and said with a small, sexy smile, “Shall we?”

“Yes, we shall,” I said, letting him lead me into the restaurant.

It was loud, as I expected, and he surprised me by leaning down and saying, “Want to go out to the patio where it’s not so crazy?”