Free Little Dark Secret (Storm's Soldier Book 2) by Paige Notaro

doesn’t mean you should force them.”
    I nudged out of her remaining grip. “I’m not forcing anything.”
    “I thought you say you didn’t like this doctor?” she said. “So why are you doing this? Why are you going out with him?”
    “I…it can’t hurt to just see if there’s something more there.”
    “Pfft.” She waved her hand. “You girls don’t know romance anymore. You think I had to force anything with your father? I knew he was the man I would marry the moment I saw him.”
    “Aw.” My heart warmed remembering old pictures of the two of them together. They really had been a perfect couple. “But Dad was a great guy. I don’t really go for great guys.”
    “You think my family thought he was a great guy? He was only a student, and with such dark skin. I know, I know, it is not good to admit, but my family did not like him at all for this.”
    “I think the issues with my guys run deeper than skin, Mamá.”
    She smiled and shook my head. “All I am saying is that it is for you to judge. Don’t do anything for me, or anyone else. Only you can make this decision. I thought this doctor would be good for you, but if on one date, he doesn’t have your heart, then maybe you should trust it.”
    My phone buzzed.
    “Ride’s here, Mamá.” I wrapped her in a hug. “Thanks for such great parting words.”
    “Ah, I meant after your date tonight, Mija. Lunch date does not count anyway.”
    I hustled out into the dark sedan waiting for me. I texted the driver the restaurant name and we ground away from my street.
    Mamá’s words were more of a relief than she knew. I wasn’t doing this date for her, but now I could admit it wasn’t necessarily for me either. It was for some hypothetical future version of me, some classier version that liked what Lem stood for and enjoyed his company.
    Maybe I’d get there, maybe I’d become that person, but now I felt less obligated. All I knew is I couldn’t stay who I was - this woman who expected the world to go wrong. This girl who feared danger so much that she surrounded herself with men that dealt it, instead.
    Maybe Calix had even been a step forward in that change. He had been deeply messed up inside, but the outside wasn’t just a tough guy act. He had at least been sweet to me with his words, if not his thoughts.
    And Lem wasn’t so far from my type either. He had fought for me. Not a street fight, but in a situation even more serious and dangerous. That’s what got me thinking about him again, after all. Maybe I was closer to my perfect match than I thought.
    In any case, it was just a date.
    My ride dropped me off in front of a fancy Italian place. Lem would be paying. I didn’t like the way it tipped things in his favor, but I guess I’d have to give myself a chance to get used to it.
    The insides were steeped in luxury: swirling blue and green carpeting, textured cream walls and elegant, modern chandeliers tastefully spaced above to produce pockets of light and dark. The chic brunette hostess led me to a small table in back, under one of the cones of light.
    Lem rose and beamed as we approached. He was dressed in a dark blazer and tan slacks. He looked good, but made me feel woefully underdressed.
    “You look gorgeous,” he said. He took my hand, and kissed my cheek before seating me.
    “Wow,” I said. “How gentlemanly.”
    “Well, I try.” He laughed and spread his napkin across his lap.
    I laughed, too, but it sounded a bit forced.
    Relax, Rosa , I told myself and picked up the menu card. The main courses were set and even the desert only had a couple options.
    “This place is too nice, Lem,” I said, eyeing the cursive font. “You didn’t have to go all out.”
    “Oh, this is far from all out. Stick me with me and you’ll see how crazy it can get.”
    I laughed nervously, taking another long sweep at the place. Yeah, some people could definitely get used to this being their casual dining-out experience, but could I? Why was