Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Tucker had been ignoring me all night, yet I glanced over at the bar again, only to find him talking to three attractive women. I forced my attention back to my date and managed a smile. “So, Patrick, tell me something about you that you usually wouldn’t tell a woman on a first date because it’s embarrassing.”
Patrick sipped his beer. “I’ll tell you, but you can’t look at me differently after I do. Normally, I wouldn’t leak this type of sensitive information until at least the fourth date—when I’ve had a chance to lift something heavy, maybe grill something for you, and grow some facial hair.”
I smiled. “Noted that you’re macho with oodles of testosterone. But go on. You have me curious now.”
My date hung his head. “I cry at weddings. I can’t freaking help it.”
I chuckled. “Did you cry watching The Notebook too?”
He shook his head. “I’m not answering that. You owe me. What’s something you wouldn’t normally tell a guy on your first date?”
I tapped my lip. “Oh, I know. I’m obsessed with magazine quizzes.”
“That’s not too embarrassing.”
“It is if you really believe in them. I used to quiz every guy I went out with during our second date.”
“Used to? You don’t do it anymore?”
I shook my head. “I stopped because if the guy’s total points didn’t land him in the category I wanted, I mentally ruled him out and started finding things wrong with him. It made it impossible to go on a third date. But I do still carry the quiz folded up in my wallet, for some ridiculous reason.”
Patrick spread his arms along the top of the booth. “Pull it out. I’m up for the challenge.”
“That’s probably not a good idea.”
“Not to be too cocky, but I’m confident I’ll land right where you want me. I’ve felt chemistry since the moment we sat down. I’m not usually wrong about these things.”
“I don’t know…”
“Come on. I told you I cry at weddings, and you’re still sitting here. I think we can weather a magazine quiz.”
“All right…” I dug into my purse and pulled out a folded-up copy of my favorite Cosmo quiz. It was short and simple. “Question number one. Which answer most closely matches your ideal date?
Netflix and chill.
Going to a movie with a gallon of buttery popcorn.
A hike that ends at a pretty stream.
Clubbing.”
Patrick rubbed his chin. “I spend too much time indoors working, so I’d have to say C.”
I typed his answer into my notes app and read question number two. “Your date cooks you dinner, and it tastes disgusting. You…
Eat every bite.
Be honest and take her out to an amazing restaurant.
Eat a little bit and apologize that you had a big lunch and aren’t hungry.
Dump her. You need a woman who can cook.”
Patrick laughed. “Has anyone ever picked D?”
“You’d be surprised…”
He smiled. “I’d probably do C.”
I noted his response again and continued. “Question number three. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Flying.
Teleporting.
Reading people’s minds.
Talking to animals.”
“This is a hard one,” Patrick said. “I think it could be A, B, or D. Not sure I’d want to read people’s minds. That sounds like a recipe for disaster.”
“You can only pick one.”
“I guess I’d go with B. I really like to travel.”
I could tell from his first three answers that he was not going to score well. Yet I soldiered on. “Number four. What is your love language?
Physical touch.
Words of affirmation.
Acts of service.
Gifts.”
“Probably acts of service.”
“All right. Last question. Which kiss is your favorite?
In the middle of an argument.
Outside in the rain.
During sex.
After saying I love you.”
Patrick chose C, and then I tallied up his results. “You scored an eleven.”
“Does that put me in the winner’s circle?”
I offered a conciliatory smile. “No. You’d have to be seven points or under.”
“Oh man…”
I laughed. “It’s okay. You actually got one of the lowest totals out of everyone I’ve ever quizzed. I’m not sure there is such a thing as a man who can score a seven or under.”
An hour later, I yawned and said it was time for me to call it a night. Patrick offered to walk me home.
“Umm...” I glanced over at the bar. “Would you excuse me for a minute, please? I just need to check on something.”
“Of course.”
Patrick stood when I got up from the table. What a shame I didn’t feel a spark. He had such nice manners.
“Hey, Tuck.” I leaned my elbows on the bar and tried to sound casual. “Do you know if Maggie left?”
“Yep. About a half hour ago.”
Of course I already knew that, since she’d stopped by my table to say goodnight. But I’d been invisible to Tucker all evening, so he wouldn’t have noticed. Plus, I didn’t care if he did at this point. Him ignoring me had gotten under my skin, and I felt the urge to make him bristle.