I could feel my brows pull together as I looked at it.
“If we’re doing this date thing, we’re going to do it right. It’ll be the standard for all future dates you go on. Some guy will see you and immediately want you. He’ll take you out, and it will pale in comparison to this date, and you’ll be like, if you want to date me, you need to take lessons from Will Carson.”
I chuckled. God, I didn’t know how he did it. How he could be so confident and funny all the time. I would give anything to be more like that.
Will took my hand and helped me out of the car. He kept hold of it as we went into the Italian restaurant. My stupid body trembled a little, and I wished it would stop, but this was new and exciting and I was me, so I was just waiting for everything to go up in smoke.
“Reservations for Will Carson,” he told the hostess, who smiled at him.
She led us to our table. Will let go of my hand and pulled my seat out for me. I took it. She said our waiter would be with us shortly, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “You don’t have to do this, you know? Act this sweet and like this date is real or whatever. I know it’s not.”
“Wait. We’re not really here? I’m so confused.”
I rolled my eyes, but honestly, it was a cute, nerdy joke, and I loved it. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t, actually. We made a date, and now we’re on said date. Do you know what you’re going to drink?”
Lots and lots of alcohol.
Before I could reply, our waiter approached. He was cute, with dark hair and probably about thirty, but I couldn’t even focus on him. Not with Will at the table with me.
He went through the wine list. I looked over at Will, who said, “You pick for both of us. I don’t know a lot about wine.”
“Um…but what if you don’t like it?”
“Then I won’t drink it. No harm, no foul.”
“Okay, then.” I ordered.
“Would you like a bottle?” the waiter asked.
My eyes immediately found Will’s, and he said, “Not unless Jameson plans to drink most of it. I have to drive.”
It was then that I realized this was a good game plan. If I didn’t talk much, I couldn’t make a fool of myself. So the plan was to drink. Still, I turned down the bottle. I didn’t want it to be obvious how much I consumed.
“Okay, I’ll be back with your drinks and give you a few minutes to look over the menu.”
I picked it up, and the damn thing was wobbling in my hand. Ugh. I was shaking. Why was I shaking? I set it down, but it was too close to the candle at the center of the table, and Will said, “Oh God. Watch out. That’s the last thing we need.”
I jerked the menu back, because of course I would almost set the second fire in my life. Why would I expect anything else?
“Do you know what you’re going to eat?” he asked, and I shook my head. “I’m thinking something simple, like spaghetti and meatballs. I like spaghetti. I like balls. Makes sense.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheeks so I didn’t laugh…or, you know, vomit in nervousness.
“Dude, that was funny. I don’t even get a chuckle? Are you planning on being quiet the whole night?”
“Sorry! I don’t want to say anything dumb,” I rushed out.
“I like it when you say dumb things.” Will’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “I didn’t mean that. Not like dumb-dumb, but silly. I swear I wasn’t calling you stupid. I’m usually better at this whole dating thing.”
I couldn’t help smiling. He was incredibly good at it. “I knew what you meant.”
“Good. Can you talk just a little, though? I like attention on me, but I also don’t want to talk to myself. Or for you to go back to your friends and tell them all I did was talk about me the entire time. They’ll think I’m an ass, and I’m honestly a little scared of them. I don’t think there’s anything they wouldn’t do for you.”
That was something I felt I could talk about. Before I had the chance, the waiter came with a bottle of wine and filled our glasses. Another poured water for us before disappearing. I moved that glass as far away from me as it could get.
“Are you ready to order?” he asked.
Will and I caught eyes, and I nodded. He ordered what he’d said he would, and I added, “I’ll have the same.”
The second the waiter left, I picked up my glass and chugged it like a frat boy drinking a beer at a frat party.