AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She cocked her head. “Did I ever call you that?”
“Maybe not in so many words.”
Our wine arrived a minute later, but she hadn’t actually answered my question.
“Any appetizers tonight?” the waiter asked, looking at me.
“What do you think about an order of shrimp bruschetta to start?” I asked Nicole.
She closed her menu. “Sorry. I’m allergic.”
“The shrimp?” I asked her.
“Shellfish in general.” She pulled out what I recognized as an Epi-Pen. “That’s why I carry this.”
“Can we do bruschetta then, without the shrimp?” I asked the waiter.
He nodded. “Certainly, sir.”
After he left I raised my wine. “To getting to know each other.”
She repeated the toast with a coy smile and gingerly clinked her glass to mine. After a sip she asked, “Is this where you lay some corny pickup line on me?” Her phone buzzed, but she ignored it.
“So what was it like falling from heaven?”
She couldn’t contain a small laugh. “That’s bad.”
“I seem to have lost my phone number. Can I have yours?”
Her head tilted. “That’s pretty bad too.”
“Is your name WiFi? Because I’m sensing a real connection.”
She shook her head. “That’s even worse. If that’s the best you’ve got, the women in this town are safe.”
I clasped my hands over my heart. “Oh, that hurts.”
Nicole’s phone buzzed in her purse for the second time. She glanced toward it.
I sat back and marveled at my luck to be sitting across from her tonight. “Go ahead. I know you’re itching to check it.”
She pulled the pesky device out and read the name on the screen to me. “It’s Lara—again.”
“Are you sure you want to risk it?”
She hesitated, and then put the phone down.
“Just kidding. Go ahead. I’ve got all night.” I put my fork down. “For you.” And boy was I looking forward to the rest of the night.
Her face heated to a delectably edible pink as she tapped the phone to answer. “Hi.” Concern grew on her face as she pressed the phone to her ear. “What?” she asked loudly. “What’s happening? Where are you?” Her voice went up an octave. “Blood? What blood?”
I stood and yanked my wallet out. Anything having to do with blood meant we were done here. I threw bills on the table and tilted my head toward the door. I regretted even having joked about not answering the phone.
Nicole stood as she listened.
The couple at the next table looked over, eyes wide. Frantic questions and the wordblooddidn’t mix well with polite dinner conversation.
“Where are you?” Nicole asked again.
