Free The Hazards of a One Night Stand by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page B

the large dining room.
    He pulled my chair out. I took a seat, glancing around at the purple and black décor. They were going for hip, and it showed. I opened the menu, wondering if the food matched. I was really into how places marketed themselves. It’s why I wanted to major in marketing once I could get admitted to the business school. You couldn’t apply until midway through sophomore year.
    I studied the menu, pleasantly surprised by the options.
    “Did I upset you?” Tanner’s question took me by surprise. I thought he’d moved on from that conversation.
    “No.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah. Do I look upset?”
    “Not exactly. It’s more like you lost the excitement you had when I picked you up.”
    “No. I’m fine.” Maybe he was more perceptive than I thought. Either that or I was doing a horrible job of hiding my feelings.
    “I hope so.” His eyes bore into mine.
    The intense gaze bothered me. It felt like my privacy was being invaded or something. “Stop staring at me like that.”
    “Why?”
    “Because it’s weirding me out.”
    “I’m not allowed to look at my beautiful date?”
    “You can look, but maybe not that intently.” I self-consciously smoothed out my dress.
    He laughed. “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”
    The waiter came over, and we ordered. I’d gone with a twist on a chef salad. It used seafood instead of the usual meats.
    “What did you do this summer?” He spread his napkin on his lap.
    “I worked as a lifeguard.”
    “Cool.”
    “And you?”
    “Interned in the finance department of National Bank in Atlanta.”
    “Really?” Great. I knew he was into business, but banking? No, thanks.
    “Yeah.”
    “That’s cool.”
    “It was. Great experience, but nothing like my year abroad.”
    “Oh yeah?” My dad was in banking, but it’s not like he ever told me much about what he did.
    “I studied at the London School of Economics and did an internship at a bank in London last year. It really gave me a more international perspective.”
    “I bet.” I studied a faded stain on the off-white tablecloth.
    “Okay. Now I’m boring you. I’m not sure which is worse. Upset or bored.”
    “Will you stop worrying? I’m not upset or bored.”
    “Maybe if you’d smile. You have a nice smile.”
    “Do I?”
    “Yes, you do. I just don’t know where it’s hiding.” He laid his hand palm up on the table.
    I forced a smile. “It’s right here.” What was wrong with me? I’d been in a bad mood since he brought up my hayloft hook up.
    “I’d prefer a real one…”
    “Oh look, our food’s coming.” I’d never been more relieved to watch a waiter approach before. I dug into my salad, grateful for the distraction.
    “Glad to see you have an appetite.”
    “Yeah, I eat.”
    “It’s a good thing unless you’re using it to avoid talking to me.” He tapped his fingers on the table next to his virtually untouched steak.
    “You worry more than a girl.”
    “Is that supposed to be a put down of me or girls?”
    “Neither. I’m just asking you to stop worrying. Okay?”
    “If you’re sure there’s no reason for me to be doing it.”
    “Let’s just enjoy dinner.”
    “Okay. How about we talk about something that doesn’t bore you to tears?” He took a bite of his steak.
    “I’m game for that.” At least he was trying.
    “If we’re going to play gender stereotypes, let’s try this. One topic that can’t bore you, you.”
    “Me?”
    “Yeah. Let’s talk about you.” He sipped his wine. I’d declined a glass and went with iced tea.
    “Okay. What about me?”
    “How many boyfriends have you had?”
    “One.” Easy question.
    “Really? I’m guessing that doesn’t include Colt.”
    “Colt was never my boyfriend.”
    “Okay. How many guys have you slept with?”
    “Is this really an appropriate conversation?”
    “Oh, that means it’s a high number.”
    “Two.” As tempted as I was to say twenty just to see his face, I went with the real