Page 12 of The Billionaire Mismatch

Luca’s expression flickers at the word funny. Like a snapped guitar string. “Why’s that?” he asks, his dark brow furrowing just a tad.

“Because I almost canceled,” I say very casually, and he just stares at me. No shock. No reaction. Impressive.

“You almost canceled?” he asks. “Or you almost ghosted?”

This time I am studying him. My lips twist into the smallest of smirks, which, if I had to guess, makes them look rather tempting. Not to sound conceited or anything, but I’ve been told I have nice lips.

When I don’t answer, he reaches for the bottle in the middle of the table. “I guess that doesn’t matter anymore, does it? You’re here now,” he says.

“We both are,” I say.

“Sake?” he asks.

“I’d love some.”

As the date goes on, I have a hard time not texting Sadie.

This entire thing has me buzzing.

For the record, I never do things like this. I don’t recommend doing things like this. But between my friend getting hurt by the dating app world–this man specifically–and me loathing the dating app world and anyone involved in its endorsement, I’m pretty sure this date is my civic duty.

Because the bullshit has to stop.

Nobody makes my best friend’s mascara run and gets away with it.

“Are you two ready to order your entrees?” the waiter asks, and he refills our water.

Luca nods and then gestures to me. “Ladies first,”

Such a gentleman…

“I will take the Florida Roll and the Deep Sea Roll,” I say, and the waiter turns to Luca.

“Omakase,” he says, and my eyebrows pop up and back down as the waiter walks away.

“You know,” Luca says, “you can tell a lot about a person by their sushi order.”

“Oh, really?” I ask. “And what dark secrets do my two rolls reveal about me?”

“You like to have your cake and eat it too,” he says casually as he takes a sip of sake.

My mouth involuntarily pops open. “Do explain,” I say.

Luca swallows, sets his cup down, and then his eyes lock on mine with intense engagement. It’s a stare that is meant to hold my attention in place, hold me in place. And honestly, it’s working.

Touche, Realr Man. Touche.

“The Florida Roll is both crunchy and creamy, thanks to the tempura, avocado, and cream cheese. Also, between the spicy tuna, sriracha aioli, and fresh jalapeno, it’s forwardly spicy. In contrast, the Deep Sea Roll has both fresh mango and a raspberry eel sauce,” he says, his voice low and gruff. “You like it hot. And sweet.”

I swallow hard and take a sip of my water to collect myself. Luckily for me, I’m fairly good at recovery in these situations.

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or concerned,” I say, and his otherwise unmoving lips tick with the slightest movement.

Was that almost a smile? A smirk maybe?

The fact that I feel like it was and my teasing is what encouraged it is an enticing challenge.

“Maybe both,” he says. “What about me?”