Like me, even if I’m still a few candles short of forty.
Our food arrived and the conversation shifted back and forth between us. I opened up a little bit about my life, but I avoided mentioning my seedier exploits and failed marriage. Gina told me about her life in Bakersfield, what it was like to grow up in a small town, and how she ended up in Chicago. She had definitely lived a life that was more interesting than mine.
It was so easy to talk to Gina. It was like talking to a friend, even though I really didn’t know her. Deep conversations were never my thing, but it was like someone else was moving my lips. I didn’t feel socially awkward at all. When I took my last bite of dinner, a sadness swept through me because I realized the night was almost over.
“How about dessert? You’re a master at picking out junk food. Find me something nice.” Gina picked up the menu and handed it to me.
Or maybe the night isn’t over yet!
There was nothing on the menu that a normal person should eat alone, so we decided to share something called the Chocolate Fudge Earthquake. It lived up to the name. When it hit the table, I felt the wood literally vibrate from the impact. It was already a daunting task for two people, but the waitress upped the ante by piling what appeared to be a whole carton of vanilla ice cream on top of the steaming chocolate. The vanilla and chocolate quickly started to meld together into something gooey that looked like it would give me diabetes if I took more than one bite. I picked up my fork and studied it for a minute before digging in.
“Wow, that’s freaking amazing.” Gina took a big bite, and melted vanilla ice cream ran down the side of her face. “So good!”
“Yes, it’s a good thing they don’t sell this in the vending machine at work.” I smirked and took my second bite.
“I’d eat this for every meal.” Gina took another bite and a little more vanilla drizzled on her lip.
“Uh, you’ve got something—here.” I motioned to my mouth.
“I don’t even care, I just want to dig in with both hands.” She giggled and extended her tongue to slurp up the drizzled ice cream.
“Yeah, you still didn’t get it.” I picked up my napkin and leaned over.
Our eyes met as I wiped away the remnants of dessert from her chin. There was something in her eyes that screamed straight into my soul. I saw… hunger—and it wasn’t for the dessert we were sharing. I pulled back and dropped the napkin on the table, but I couldn’t look away from her. My heart started beating in my chest and I felt my throat tightening up. Gina reached across the table and put her hand on mine, letting her fingers graze across the surface of my skin. Her touch sent a sizzle through my whole body and made my head spin. I had never felt anything like it before in my life.
I would normally think I was misreading something, but this is too blatant to be misread.
“Do you—um.” I swallowed hard and looked down at her hand. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“I’m in what you would call—an open relationship?” She tilted her head slightly. “Is that a problem?”
Yes—no? Why doesn’t that make me want to run in the opposite direction as fast as possible?
“I—I don’t know.” I felt myself stammering over my words. “He won’t be upset?”
“Why would he be upset? We’re just having dinner.” A devious smile spread across her lips.
“What if… what if we do more than have dinner?” I swallowed hard as my head continued to spin.
“Do you want to?” She bit down on her lip again.
So bad it’s almost criminal.
“Maybe…” I struggled to admit it, even though the desire was digging into my soul.
“Well, when you’re sure, let me know. Maybe on our next date?” Gina pulled her hand away and shrugged.
Fuck, did I just blow my chance?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gina
“Irwin?” Erik blinked in surprise when I told him who the fourth man in our ensemble was supposed to be. “No fucking way.”
“Yeah, he’s definitely the one.” I nodded and smiled. “I was as floored as you when Angelina told me, but after having dinner with him, there’s something between us.”
“He was married, though.” Olsen walked over and sat down across from me. “What if he was still married? Would you just become a homewrecker?”