“Oh,Jesus Christ,” I groaned, scrubbing a hand against my chin. “See, that’s why Idon’t like that shit. The past follows you around, whether you want it to ornot, and it’ll always come back to bite you in the ass when you’re trying toimpress a pretty girl.”
Then,she laughed, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Yeah, the internet is kindafucked up like that.”
“Seriously,”I muttered, grabbing for my glass of Coke. “But yeah, that’s why I don’t drink.I can’t even have a sip of beer without wanting to drink the whole six-pack.”
“Andyet, you’re hanging out in a bar …”
Shruggingas I took a drink, I lowered my glass and said, “I dunno how to explain it,really, but I guess being around it and choosing to not drink makes me feelbetter. It’s sort of, I dunno, comforting or some shit.”
Shehummed as she nodded. “I think I get it. It’s kinda like window shopping whenyou don’t have the money to buy anything. Like, just browsing is enoughsometimes.”
“Yeah,sure,” I said, furrowing my brow. “I mean, I’m not big into shopping but itsounds about right.”
“Anyway,”she sighed, propping her elbow on the bar, “now, I gotta ask—”
“Hey,”I interjected. “I said one question.”
“Well,you inspired another,” she said, smiling into my eyes, and I conceded with anod of my head. “It’s really in the past, though, right?”
Inodded firmly. “Yes.”
“Okay,then. I’ll tell my nosy-as-fuck sisters to back the hell off.” She blushed andsaid, “I’m sorry for asking, honestly.”
“Don’tbe,” I replied, my voice soft and gentle. “And your sisters were right toquestion that shit. Family is supposed to do that, so consider yourself lucky.”
Hersmile lit the dark atmosphere of the bar. “Okay. Your turn.”
Withouta moment’s hesitation, I leaned forward, coming close enough to smell her hair.She smelled like the beach, salty and fresh.
“Howdo you feel about pizza?”
***
Standingbeside me as I unlocked the door to Famiglia Bella, Andy giggled wildly as if Ididn't have the keys and we were doing something genuinely scandalous. I had toremind myself that this was different, and that I was trying to do thingsright. But with every glint beneath the city lights, that damn purple top kepttempting me to throw all conviction of being good out the window. The onlything keeping me from doing just that, was the feeling she wouldn't be intogoing all the way on the first date.
“CanI tell you a secret?” she asked as I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“Yeah.”I nodded. “I mean, I told you mine, so I guess it's only fair you tell meyours.”
Shehesitated, standing in the doorway and staring at me unblinking. I couldn'timagine that I had gone too far, just by teasing her with my own confession,but hell, maybe I had.
“Andy,I'm kidding. You don't have to—”
“Isaw you here. Last week,” she blurted. “My friend, Elle, and I came here forlunch and you were working. I waited for you to recognize me but you never did,so I didn't say anything.”
Narrowingmy eyes, I tried to rack my brain and remember her being in the restaurant. Butmy memory came up blank and I shook my head. “Sorry,” I said sheepishly. “Ireally don't remember. It gets so busy in here and—”
“It'sfine,” she said, tittering with a nervous giggle. “I just felt like I needed totell you.”
Ilaughed. “Whatever gives you peace of mind, sweetheart.”
Theterm of endearment easily rolled off my tongue and tasted sweet as it passedthrough my lips. I hadn't intended on saying it, but there it was, now out inthe open, and Andy just stood there, frozen and wide-eyed, chewing on herbottom lip the way I chew on my nails. She was what I'd call a good girl,probably far too good for me, and good girls don't like guys who call themthings like sweetheart on the first date. And after my confession at Goose's, Ibet she thought I was a creep.
Imean, fuck ... I felt like one.
“Sorry,”I quickly said, hoping to remedy the situation.
Andy'seyes widened even more as she shook her head. “Oh! No, it's okay. I'm just ...”Her cheeks turned strawberry pink as she rolled her eyes. “Guys don't usuallylike me, so all of this is kinda new for me.”
