Free My Sort-of, Kind-of Hero by Emily Harper Page B

I look up to see the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. It’s the first time since Sara has arrived that he actually looks semi happy that I am here.
    “I don’t want to intrude…” I hedge.
    Travis rolls his eyes and puts his entire salad bowl in front of me.
    Oh my God, it tastes like heaven. It’s a little spicy from the garlic and hot sauce, which of course makes me think that it might be a good idea Travis didn’t have any.
    “It’s really good. Would you like to try some of mine?” Sara asks Travis, gazing at him from under her lashes.
    “You won’t like it,” I tell him while continuing to devour my bowl. “It’s pretty spicy.”
    “You don’t like spice?” Sara asks, putting down her fork.
    “Not particularly,” Travis shrugs and I can’t help the laugh that escapes.
    “He has to down a glass of water if something has pepper in it,” I say, finishing my last bite. If it was socially acceptable I would lick the bowl.
    “I’m sensitive to spices too,” Sara says, pushing her bowl away slightly. I look to Travis, who is trying to hide a frown on his face. Didn’t she just say the salad was really good?
    I know we all have our vices, but there seems to be something a little off with Sara.
    “Do you like dogs?” I ask, taking a sip of my wine.
    Sara shifts in her seat before shrugging. “Sort of.”
    “I love dogs,” Travis offers.
    “They are really cute,” Sara smiles at Travis.
    “And what are your thoughts on peanut butter?” I ask.
    “Er−” she looks thrown off by the question. “I used to eat it a lot as a kid.”
    “Travis is allergic,” I say, looking regretful.
    “I don’t eat it anymore,” she says, looking over at Travis.
    “What’s your favourite TV show?” I quickly shoot out.
    Travis looks at me in warning, but I avoid his eyes.
    “I like Criminal Minds,” she says.
    “Travis likes sitcoms and sports,” I say, looking to Travis for agreement.
    Except he just looks really mad.
    “I like sitcoms too,” she quickly says.
    I knew it! She’s just agreeing with everything that Travis says.
    And the snowman joke wasn’t that funny.
    By the time our meals arrive, I’m convinced that Sara isn’t the one for Travis. Travis is a unique kind of guy and Sara just seems to say exactly what she thinks he wants to hear− which is never good. He needs someone that is genuinely interested in the same things as him, or at least someone who can tell him she doesn’t like hockey.
    At least Travis doesn’t seem to be quite as engaging towards her as he was at the beginning of this date, which makes me think that he knows this isn’t going anywhere good. Or he’s really mad at me.
    It’s quite possible it could be the latter.
    He lifts the scallop potatoes bowl and scoops some onto my plate without even waiting for me to dramatically sigh over them, but doesn’t look at me.
    Okay, he’s definitely mad.
    After we finish our dinner Travis asks if Sara would like some dessert. She takes a lifetime thinking about it before Travis volunteers, “I’m kind of full.”
    Sara nods, “I think I’ll pass on dessert.”
    I was going to see if they had a cheesecake but I can see that it might not be the best time to make my presence known.
    The waiter comes over to the table and Travis lets him know we won’t be having any dessert.
    “The two tables are on my bill,” he says.
    As the waiter walks away I lean over to him.
    “You don’t have to pay for my meal,” I say.
    He shoots me a sideways glance like it’s not something that is up for discussion, and I decide it isn’t the right moment to push it.
    When the bill is settled I stand up and put my coat on.
    “I’m going to get out of your way,” I say, picking up my bag and smiling at Sara.
    “Oh,” she says, looking from Travis to me. “Travis said you might need to talk to me after the date. Should we set something up now?”
    “Oh, er−” I look away before returning my gaze to her face. “It’s okay,