I sank further back into my seat and pouted. I didn’t like surprises. The only surprises I’d received growing up were bad ones. Like the time Mom’s boyfriend got high and slayed my pet dog in the living room. Walking in on that at age ten wasn’t a good surprise.
Or when he’d try to climb into bed with me in the middle of the night. Nothing ever happened, thank God. He’d always passed out from the alcohol as soon as his head hit my pillow, but that didn’t stop me from sleeping with a knife under my mattress, just in case.
I glanced over at Roman, who was concentrating on the road. His dark hair was cropped short against his tanned skin. His jaw twitched as he focused, oblivious to my attention. I smiled and turned away, leaning my elbow against the door of the car.
We pulled up outside a small burger shack. I scre
wed up my nose, glancing down at my twelve-hundred-dollar outfit.
Roman chuckled. “I told you, you look stunning.”
"Maybe, but I think I'm a bit overdressed."
"So undress then," he said with a smirk.
I narrowed my eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile. "You wish," I shot back.
"You're right, I do."
I rolled my eyes and got out of the car, following him into the diner. We were seated at a booth near the door. I slid across the wooden seat and reached for a menu. For once, I was actually starving.
"What do you recommend here?" I asked him, poring over the offerings.
Double beef and bacon cheeseburger. The thought made my mouth water.
"It's all pretty good. I think I'll go with a ranch special. You?"
"The double beef and bacon burger?" I asked, blushing.
"Well, someone has an appetite," he chuckled, raising his eyebrows at me.
I shrugged. “I like my meat,” I replied.
He raised his eyebrows and I blushed. I knew exactly where his mind had gone.
Our dinner came out and we chowed it down. It was surprisingly good. I’d even stopped caring about being overdressed; I was just focused on Roman and the great time I was having.
“Dessert?” he asked with a smile.
“God, no,” I groaned, clutching my stomach. “I think I ate a whole cow just then.”
“I’m actually impressed you got through the whole thing,” he laughed.
So was I. And now I was regretting it. My stomach made a weird gurgling noise. I looked up, horrified. Roman began to laugh hysterically.
“It’s not funny,” I whined, a smile creeping onto my face.
“Come on. Let’s get you home. I think you’ll need to hibernate for a month after that meal.”
***
“Do you want to come in?” I asked him. We stood by my front gate, and after spending the last ten minutes making out, I wanted to move things forward.
“I have an early start tomorrow,” he said, shaking his head.
“It’s barely eight,” I replied, frowning. I knew what he was doing: he didn’t want to pressure me. But what happened when I want things to go further? Like right now?
“I have a very early start tomorrow morning.”