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“Yeah.” My heart pounded in my chest while I waited for his response.
We walked side by side, occasionally moving around families and couples window-shopping or stopping for ice cream.
Finally, he said, “You want me to live in the moment, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m going with what feels good.”
I couldn’t resist wrapping a hand around his arm and leaning into him. “I like that.”
He smiled down at me, his expression earnest.
I smiled back, content to walk with him in the warm summer afternoon, enjoying his company and proximity.
I may want to explore something physical with Colton, but I didn’t need to rush into anything. We could be friends and get to know each other, enjoying this attraction simmering just below the surface.
He opened the door to Max’s, and I stepped inside. My eyes took a second to adjust to the dim lighting, seeing the bar to the right and the restaurant to our left.
The hostess asked where we’d like to eat, and I indicated a table on the restaurant side, where we were more likely to have privacy. Max worked mainly at the bar, in the kitchen, and in his office. He rarely walked the dining room, not wanting to disturb his waitstaff or customers. I wanted Colton to myself for a little longer.
The hostess handed us the menus, and when she left us alone, I said, “I have to tell you something.”
Colton lowered his menu, raising his brow. “Why do I feel like it’s something I’m not going to like?”
I sat up, leaning in to whisper, “I hate seafood.”
He blanched. “Why didn’t you say something? We could have gone somewhere else.”
I smiled and shook my head. “It’s hard to find a restaurant that doesn’t serve seafood in Annapolis.”
Colton picked up the menu, scanning it. “There’s chicken, pulled pork, and burgers. So, there are other options. Are you okay with eating here?”
“Yeah, more than okay.”
After a minute, he put his menu down and asked, “Do you normally get a negative response to not liking seafood?”
I rolled my eyes. “Most guys can’t believe I’ve lived in Maryland my whole life and hate seafood.”
His forehead wrinkled. “It’s not about where you grow up. You either like something or you don’t.”
“If you can imagine, one guy took me to eat crabs on a first date.”
Colton smiled. “I bet that was a disaster.”
“He didn’t take it well.”
“Well, now I’ll know for the future.”
“You’re a good guy, Colton.”
“I try to be.” I saw a flash of pain in his expression before he looked away.
Had someone told him he wasn’t? Because from what I’d seen, he was the best. I’d thought the same in high school and was jealous of my sister’s relationship with him.
When we ordered, he got steak, and I got the burger.
After I handed the menus to the waitress, I said, “You can order seafood. It doesn’t bother me to watch other people it.”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t in the mood.”
I appreciated that he’d avoided seafood, even if I hadn’t expected it. It was a nice gesture.
