Free Prowl by Amber Garza Page B

brown dress shoes. His hair was combed down, his face clean-shaven and he smelled like aftershave and cologne.
    “You look gorgeous,” he said.
    Grandma offered to put the flowers in water and we took off. As we walked toward Isaac’s car he took my hand in his, sending chills up my arm. The heat of the afternoon still lingered in the evening air and I was grateful my arms were bare. The scent of honeysuckle swirled around me, and birds chirped faintly in the distance.
    “Where are we going?” I asked as we pulled out of the court.
    “’Fat’s.”
    “What an odd name for a restaurant.”
    “It’s not at all like it sounds. It’s the best. You’ll see.”
    He wasn’t kidding. Fat’s was nothing like its name implied. The restaurant was beautiful with its shimmering pool of water and giant gold statue as the centerpiece, its glossy floors and dim lighting throughout. The scent of fried Chinese food and sauces permeated the air, causing my stomach to rumble.
    “What do you like?” I asked as I held the lengthy menu in my hand.
    “The honey walnut prawns are the bomb.”
    My mouth watered as I read the description.
    “Also, the chow mein is really good.”
    I nodded, setting down the menu. “I’m sold.”
    After Isaac ordered and the waiter brought our sodas, we settled back in our chairs.
    “So, what did you do today?”
    “Nothing much.” I spoke loudly to be heard over the party at the table behind us. Chattering echoed off the high ceilings.
    “You didn’t hang out with Rhiannon?”
    I shook my head. “Apparently she went on vacation.”
    “Where to?”
    “No idea. I didn’t even know she left. Her housecleaner told me.”
    “Huh. That’s odd.”
    “Yeah,” I agreed.
    “So, what do you guys do together?”
    “Girl stuff.” A woman fluttered past our table, leaving a trail of strong floral perfume in her wake. Her stiletto heels clicked on the slick floor.
    “Like what?”
    “If I told you I’d have to kill you.” I winked and flashed him a smile so he’d know I was kidding.
    He laughed and changed the subject which is exactly what I’d hoped would happen. “Hey, you ever water-ski?”
    “No. Why?” A baby wailed from a nearby table, catching our attention.
    “A friend of mine invited me out on his boat on Saturday. I wondered if you wanted to join me.”
    The thought of being on a boat with Isaac sounded amazing. “I’d love to, but I don’t know how good of a skier I’ll be. I’ve never even snow skied before.”
    “Water skiing is pretty easy. I can show you.”
    “Do you go often?”
    “Yeah, I love it. My Aunt and Uncle own a boat and we go all the time. I learned to ski when I was a little kid. My Uncle gets a kick out of taking crazy turns and trying to knock me over when he’s pulling me.”
    “Isn’t that dangerous?”
    “Nah, he knows what he’s doing. He’d never let me get hurt. Although I have had water go up my nose a lot of times and that’s pretty painful.”
    “Is it hard for you to go out in the water after what happened to your brother?”
    “It was at first, but my parents made me. They didn’t want my fears to run my life.”
    “You’re lucky to have them. They seem like amazing parents.” Ones I wish I had.
    “Yeah, they’re pretty cool. What about you? You don’t talk much about your family. What’s it like being an only child?”
    I pictured quiet nights alone in front of the TV, coming home everyday to an empty house.
    “Lonely,” I finally answered.
    He reached across the table, covered my hand with his. “I’m sorry.”
    I shrugged. “It’s fine.”
    Just then our food arrived and our conversation halted as we tucked into the prawns and chow mein noodles. By the time I finished I understood why the restaurant was called Fat’s I ate so much I thought Isaac would have to roll me out of the place.
    Rubbing my stomach I said, “I feel like I gained ten pounds. You better be careful. If you keep taking me out like this I’m