Free Perfectly Unmatched by Liz Reinhardt

peanut-based dipping sauce my way. I dip and eat, imaging a fair where couples waltz in slow circles, like in movies based on Jane Austen books.
    “Uh, you know it, the ride with the cars you sit in and the platform comes up and you kinda spin.” He uses his hands and some of the broccoli to illustrate.
    “Oh. You mean The Tilt-A-Whirl.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Did you take all the girls on the, er, Waltzer when the fair came through, Sir Sexy Calves?”
    Cormac chuckles. “If I could have gotten any girl to go anywhere with me when I was a lad, I would probably have fainted from sheer shock and excitement before I got anywhere near a Waltzer. By the way, the American name for it is much sexier. But, that’s usually the case with American names for things.”
    “So, you weren’t a ladies’ man?” I ask, but before he can answer, our plates arrive and the delicious smells make me start to salivate.
    “Did Mr. Average Calves skimp on dinner?” Cormac asks as I heap a huge forkful of delicious pad thai, still steaming, into my mouth.
    His words are perfectly civil, but his tone has the nasty bite of jealousy. Which should make me nervous.
    Instead I’m glad I detect it.
    “The date went a little haywire.” I take another bite and add, “I asked some questions he didn’t like, he got a little pissy, and when I tried to leave, he got a little rough so I had to--”
    “He what?”
    Cormac’s voice is smooth and soft. He’s put his fork down on the table, and there isn’t the remotest trace of a smile anywhere on his face. He’s all pure fury, and I’m so shocked, I can only stutter out my answer.
    “He got upset I guess and--”
    “‘Rough’ is what you said, Benelli. You said, ‘when I tried to leave, he got a little rough.’ Did I mishear you?”
    I swallow hard and my stomach drops a little. Cormac would make the most amazing teacher. He’s got that whole quiet authority thing on lockdown.
    “I did say that.” I rub my arm where Akos grabbed it, and Cormac hones in on my absent-minded gesture.
    “May I see?” His voice is so unlike it usually is, so cold and severe, I don’t really think before I let my hoodie slide slowly off my shoulder and down my arm.
    I follow the line of his sight to the blotchy purplish marks that dot my arm where Akos’s hand ringed it.
    His eyes blaze and he grits his teeth hard. “He did this to you? The construction foreman? The big bad Akos Miklós did this to you on a date ?”
    “ Cormac, he didn’t mean to. He grabbed me, and I yanked my arm away. That’s all.”
    I’m nervous now and wish I’d just kept my mouth shut. I’ve ruined dinner, and I have a terrible feeling that Cormac might try to confront Akos, which would be a disaster. Akos could crush Cormac in a second if he wanted to and wouldn’t think twice about doing just that.
    “I apologize. I do, truly, but I’ve lost my appetite. Do you mind if we box this?” Cormac asks.
    I do mind.
    I just left the single worst date of my life, and I couldn’t imagine the night improving at all. Then I threw a few rocks at Cormac’s window, and everything changed. I was having an amazing time with him, and I don’t want it to end.
    But I realize his question was just a courtesy, because he’s already got the waiter hurrying over, and he’s attempting to assure the man that there’s nothing wrong, but he’s definitely talking about the weather.
    I’m willing to bet Cormac’s grandmother will not be getting that birthday card.
    He pays for the meal before I can offer to pitch in and walks me home, his steps long and quick, his mood edgy and punctuated by occasional kicks at the cobblestones.
    When we get to my door, he hands me my to-go box and gives me a tight smile, but I put a hand on his wrist before he can leave.
    “I’m really sorry. I was just venting about the night. Akos didn’t really hurt me, and I really, really want you to stay out of it, okay? He’s...he’s a rough guy, and