Page 168 of Cara & Gian: The Guzzi Duet

“Thank you. And this place is …” Cara waved a hand high. “Amazing.”

“It helps to know people sometimes,” Nathan joked. “The owner is a friend from way back. I always get reservations last minute, when others can’t.

“Nice to know.”

“Drinks before food?”

“No on the drinks. I think I’ll let you order the food for both of us. Surprise me.”

Nathan flashed her with a smile. There was nothing necessarily wrong with the man. He was charming, good-looking, and decent, by all standards. He looked fit, well-dressed, and had a good path in his life. He was everything that she shouldwant in a man, because he was safe and nice and appropriate.

Cara felt nothing looking at him.

Nathan did nothing for her.

Sad, really.

She just wanted to feel normal again.

It didn’t help that it felt like someone was watching her. Cara tried to brush the odd sensation off and ignore it. Despite regretting her spur of the moment decision to text Nathan for a date, Cara decided to stick it out.

It was only after the food had arrived, and Cara picked at the dish set in front of her, that Nathan cleared his throat loudly.

Cara glanced up at him. “Yes?”

“You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?”

Had he been talking?

Ouch.

“Sorry,” Cara said. “I’m not very good company, am I?”

Nathan smiled, but she could see the truth in his stare. “Let’s be honest here, Cara. We’re not going to repeat this, are we?”

“Probably not. It’s not you … it’s me, really. I’ve got no business going on dates at the moment, I think. I thought trying might help. It didn’t.”

“Yet, you asked me out tonight.”

“A shitty attempt at something different,” Cara said in explanation.

Nathan didn’t look like he understood, but who could?

Cara was a mess.

And not in a good way.

Nathan took her rejection in style, thankfully. Although, he was quieter through the rest of the meal. He offered to walk Cara out of the restaurant once they were done, but she only agreed to let him walk her to the bar. She didn’t want a drink, just a second to sit alone and think.

At the bar, Nathan leaned in, his hand resting on her lower back, and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for coming out with me tonight.”

Cara laughed lightly. “You’ve got to be one of the strangest men I have ever met. Rejection doesn’t bother you a bit, does it?”

“We win some, we lose some.”

“Thanks for … not being an asshole.”

Nathan’s grin widened, and Cara let him kiss her cheek once more. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Cara. You do have my number, in case you ever want to use it.”