Page 54 of The Golden Scoop

“Ready to go?” I ask, a touch too quickly, feeling a tiny bit uncomfortable.

Twenty minutes later, we’re taking a seat at a candlelit table at Saona. It’s dark, intimate, all white tablecloths and polished cutlery. Packed, but not loud.

“How’s surfing going?” I ask, after the waitress drops off the drink menu.

“Turns out it isn’t for me.” He laughs, unaware that he just killed the one thing I thought we might have in common aside from work. “I couldn’t figure it out. Gave up shortly after you guys left the other day.”

Oof. Giving up is not in my vocabulary.

“I’ll be glad to cheer you on from shore,” he adds, probably noticing the shift in my expression.

Julia’s my cheerleader. I technically don’t need another one. I would want my significant other to get dirty with me. It’s not as fun when I can’t fully share those memorable moments with my man.

My man.

I resist the urge to check my phone to see if there’s anything from Matt. I’m on a date. A good one. No need for that.

“So, what do you do for fun?” I ask, hoping he says something interesting enough to steer my mind off the actor.

“I hate to say it this way, but I’m a gym bro.” Tom chuckles. “I enjoy some good old exercise. Treadmill, weights… I can be in there all day.”

I hate the gym. The lack of vitamin D drives me nuts. Also, the unnecessary grunting. I’d rather go on another dreadful hike with Matt than exercise inside. At least that way I get fresh air and a reason to complain.

“Matt,” Tom says suddenly.

Was I thinking aloud?

“What?”

“Isn’t that him?” he says, pointing somewhere behind me.

I turn and sure enough, there he is, charming the hostess. His eyes meet mine and he smirks. There’s no way this is a coincidence.

“Let’s ignore him,” I say, brushing it off. “I’ve been seeing too much of him lately, and I really want to focus on dinner.”

It would be easier if my pulse hadn’t spiked with the mere mention of him.

“That might be difficult, seeing as he’s walking over to us.”

Nope. Not going to let him ruin my night. Not a problem. We’ll be polite, say hello, and then go back to talking about the wonders of the gym. Can’t wait.

“I can’t believe this!” Matt says when he finally reaches our table. “Tom! Great to see you, man.”

What a performer. Acting like they’re lifetime friends. Tom nods, shaking his hand.

“Oh my, excuse my rudeness,” Matt says, taking a step to the side to showcase the girl hooked onto his arm. “This is Stella.”

Stella is the complete opposite of me. She’s tall. No heels needed to tower over Matt’s shoulders. Long, straight blonde hair shining under the lights. She’s wearing a tight, red leather skirt with a matching top—model-level everything.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, with a smile. I don’t let my eyes linger on Matt’s all-black outfit, or the way it matches my own. “Enjoy your dinner.”

“Nonsense,” Matt adds with a flick of his wrist. “Why don’t we join you? It’ll be wonderful. We didn’t get to talk enough the other day, Tom.”

My date is stunned into silence—because what the hell is going on? But of course, he’s so nice he doesn’t have the guts to decline.

“Sure.”

Matt slides in next to him, leaving Stella to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a girl’s girl, but this situation is rubbing me the wrong way, and I’m in no mood to chat up a stranger.