Free Fumbled (The Girls of Beachmont #1) by T. K. Rapp Page B

it.” He smirked. “I did get out to help, but when you asked to see my
eyes, I was waiting for you to recognize me. You had dirt on your face and were
sweating like crazy, but you didn’t seem to care that I was seeing this. It was
sexy as hell. I was watching you, and you truly didn’t know who I was and
agreed to the date anyway. I didn’t want you to go out with me because I’m JT
Hunter. I wanted you to go out with me because I made you laugh. I’d forgotten
what that felt like—someone laughing because of something I said and not
because of some celebrity status.”
    His words hit me right
in the heart. I couldn’t imagine being in the spotlight and worrying about if
people liked you for you or for who they thought you were. I gave him a
reprieve, and that was all I needed to know.
    “If you wanted to keep
your anonymity, why did you bring me here? Not that I’m complaining.”
    “The food is great, but
even better—the staff is under strict orders not to bother the customers,
and the rest of the diners respect that, too. So I can come here and enjoy a
meal without people walking up to me every five seconds while my food gets
cold.”
    “That would get
annoying.”
    “I love the fans, I
really do. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. But it’s nice to get a break
every once in a while.”
    “So what now?”
    “Well, that depends on
you.”
    “What about me?”
    “I like you, Dani.
You’re beautiful, smart, and so far, you’ve kept it interesting.”
    “I like you, too,” I
replied shyly.
    “Does that mean I can
see you again?”
    The silence grew between
us and I weighed my options. Tabor was fun and charming. I liked the way he
looked at me and how comfortable he seemed in my presence. But who he was was stopping me.
    “I’m not sure I’m cut
out for the life you lead,” I admitted. “I’m a teacher, Tabor. I’m with little
people all day long. I barely know how to deal with adults, let alone someone
with an entire city of fans.”
    “I take it that’s a no?”
he questioned, and I couldn’t ignore the disappointment in his voice.
    “It’s definitely not a no . It’s a let’s hang out and get to know each other —perhaps away from
your career?”
    He started to speak, but
the waiter began setting our food in front of us.
    “Does everything look
okay?” the waiter asked.
    I looked up from my food
to see Tabor watching me.
    “Everything looks
perfect,” he answered, never taking his eyes off of me.

C h a p t e r    8
    D A N I

 
    “Wait,” I said, panting heavily. “I can’t go again. I
need a minute.”
    “Are you okay?” he asked, looking down at me as sweat beaded
on his forehead.
    I nodded and swallowed
hard, unable to answer with words. When my heart rate finally, slowed I cleared
my throat.
    “That was crazy,” I
finally managed.
    “You’re pretty good,” he
complimented and I laughed.
    “Don’t patronize me. The
next one is all mine,” I said, narrowing my eyes playfully.
    “If you say so.”
    For the last twenty
minutes, Tabor and I had been in an intense game of Just Dance , and somehow he’d managed to beat me. Every. Single.
Time.
    For someone of his
build, he had impressive dance moves. We took turns picking out the song to
compete to, and inevitably I ended up standing behind him laughing so hard that
I couldn’t dance. He had every step down and even attempted to throw some sass
into his moves. He was adorably awkward to watch dance, and I loved it. I
couldn’t remember the last time I had so much fun playing a video game or
laughed so hard.
    When we’d left
Metropolis, the local fans had swarmed the sidewalk outside of the restaurant.
Apparently someone had Tweeted Tabor’s whereabouts, and that was all it took. I
stood back while he dutifully signed every piece of paper, picture, and jersey
that was shoved in front of him. He would look over and give me an apologetic
shrug, but I waved him off. He talked to all of them with a smile