Page 55 of Slapshot Kiss

“And you won two hundred dollars?”

“That's the best part. He refused to pay because he said the bet wasn't official.”

I laugh. “What does that even mean?”

“Exactly what I said. He still owes me.”

“Sounds like you need better clients.”

“Trust me, I've considered it.”

He's funny. Not in an outrageous, laugh-until-you-can't-breathe kind of way, but he tells a good story, and I'm genuinely enjoying myself.

At least, I think I am.

“Hang on. I've got a video somewhere.” He takes out his phone and starts scrolling. “My buddy caught the whole thing.”

While he searches, I take another sip of wine.

The restaurant is lovely. Adam picked a little Italian place with candles on the tables and a menu that doesn't require me to sell a kidney to afford dinner. He asked whether I preferred red or white, recommended the pasta, and hasn't looked at his phone once except to find this video.

He's doing everything right.

But I still feel like an imposter in someone else's life, playing the part of a woman on a date. I'm awkwardly going through the motions, suddenly conscious of what I'm doing with my hands and whether I'm smiling enough. I'm trying so hard to present the best version of myself, and I don't think I've ever liked myself less.

“Found it.”

Adam turns his phone toward me.

I watch a tiny white ball roll across a putting green and disappear into a hole. Someone behind the camera starts yelling.

“Oh my God.” I laugh. “You really did it.”

“Told you.”

“Did you at least make him buy you a drink?”

“Several. I'm still working on the two hundred.”

He puts his phone away, smiling.

“You have a great laugh, by the way.”

“Oh.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you.”

“Seriously. It's nice to be out with someone who actually laughs at my jokes.”

“Don't get too confident. I've only heard one so far.”

He laughs. “Fair enough. I'll have to work harder.”

I smile, then reach for my wine, wondering if I should say something else. Return the compliment, maybe? Tell him I like his smile?

I do like his smile. It's a perfectly nice smile.

God, why am I making this so difficult?

“So, you mentioned you work for a nonprofit, right?” he asks.