“It sounds weird, but yes.” He chuckles.
“I get it. I can relate.”
“Do you want to join the fun?” He nods over to the people on the lawn. “Or would you rather just stay over here?”
“We can join. Who knows where Leyla is anyway?” I stand up and he follows suit.
As we walk, he holds my hand, and it feels good around mine.
Chapter Fifteen
Maverick
“You seem distracted.”
“Nah, I’m here.” I glance over at Rebecca and flash her a smile. “I hope you like sushi and beer, that’s what I have planned for the night.”
“I love both and I love this place.” She walks inside the restaurant as I hold the door open for her.
“Maverick Cruz,” the hostess says, blushing and smiling. “Hi. Welcome.”
“Thank you.” I smile back at her.
“Norma. I’m in your algebra class. I sit behind you sometimes.”
“Oh. Cool.” I keep smiling. I’ve never seen this girl in my life, but I’ll take her word for it.
“Wow, she was totally checking you out,” Rebecca says once we’re seated.
“Who?” I pick up my menu from the table and start scrolling through it.
“The hostess. Norma.”
“Oh. I didn’t notice.” I go back to the menu, trying to look for the roll Rocky normally gets, but I can’t remember the name, and I definitely can’t text her while I’m out with Rebecca and she’s with Brian. I inwardly groan. Fucking Brian, of all people. Of course, she’d choose a pretty boy to go out with, even after I told her he’s not her type. What do I know though, right? Maybe he is her type after all. She hasn’t had a boyfriend in a while.
“You seem distracted.”
“Just trying to figure out what I feel like eating.” I glance up at Rebecca. “What do you like?”
“I like the Spider Roll.”
“Oh, that’s the one Rocky likes!” I smile and nod as I look back at the menu.
“Rocky’s that girl you’re always with?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought you two were dating. I mean, before you finally asked me out, I figured you were dating.”
“Rocky and me?” I chuckle. “No way. I’ve known her since we were kids.”
“Maybe that’s why you even walk the same.”
“What?” I laugh as I lower the menu. “What are you talking about?”
“You walk the same. I swear.” Rebecca laughs. Damn, she has a great laugh.
“That’s so strange. No one’s ever said that before.”
“So, you guys are like really tight then.”
“Yup.”
“How does that fare in your relationships?”
“Wow. You get deep quick.” I blink. “I don’t think it makes a difference in our relationships.”
“No? Your past girlfriends haven’t been jealous of your friendship?”
“I mean, I haven’t had a girlfriend in a while.” I shrug a shoulder.
“How long?”
“Since high school.”
“Oh. And why’d you break up?”
“College.” I let out a laugh. “I don’t think anyone has grilled me this hard on a first date.”
“Well, they should.” She smiles.
We pause the conversation to order our food and then she goes right back to grilling me. I don’t know how I feel about it. I don’t hate it. I’ve been waiting to go out with this girl far too long to care what she wants to talk about and I’m thinking if she’s this into my personal life, it’s definitely a good sign. My mind keeps drifting to Rocky though. Maybe because Rebecca has brought her up so much. Maybe because she just informed me that we walk the same, which is wild. My parents walk the same. They even share the same mannerisms, but they’ve been together since they were teenagers and married for thirty years, so it makes sense.
“What about you? I bet you’ve had a lot of boyfriends,” I say.
“Not a lot. I am a serial dater though. At least that’s what my friends say.” She laughs.
“A serial dater.” I raise an eyebrow. “So, you’ve dated a lot of guys while you’ve been here?”
“Not a lot. I mean, I go on a lot of dates, but none have turned into anything serious.”
Interesting. I don’t really have anything to say to that, so I sip on my lemon water instead. I don’t know why I figured Rebecca was this put-together girl who had everything figured out. Like Rocky. Fuck. Why the hell am I thinking about Rocky again?
“You seem distracted again.”
“I’m not. I’m good. I’m just . . . ” I exhale heavily. “Yeah, I’m distracted. I’m sorry.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing of importance.” It’s a lie, but what am I supposed to say? There’s no right answer to that question.
“Hm.” She glances away and I know I’ve upset her and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why.
I’ve spent an entire year pining after this girl and finally have her sitting in front of me only to not even be interested in having a conversation with her. I’m annoyed with myself. The food comes quickly and we start eating. Soon, we’re making small talk, a far cry from all the relationship questions she was trying to get me to answer earlier. Maybe I’m acting this way because I haven’t been on a date in such a long time. Maybe I’m acting this way because I know Rocky is with Brian and for some crazy reason I don’t like that thought. Either way, I need to snap out of it.