Rebecca
I slide into the chair Kevin pulled out for me, trying not to read too much into the way his hand briefly grazes the back of my arm. He smells—annoyingly like exactly what Sara promised: clean cotton with a hint of cedar and maybe something citrusy.
My mind drifts into Marcus. He smelled incredible too…
No, I can't think of him now. I left him at New York and that's where he needs to stay.
The table is warm with noise and flickering candlelight, everyone settling in with plates passed down like currency. Josh is already halfway through a rib, sauce on his chin, while Hailey looks at him with admiration. Oh, young love…
Kevin sits beside me and unfolds his napkin like it's a formal event. He is calm, maybe even a little shy, which is a refreshing change from the usual brand of loud, performative confidence I tend to attract.
Like Marcus.
"So," he says as he spoons some grilled corn onto his plate, "do I need to apologize for showing up as your blind date?"
