Admire Me (Rough Edges 2)

Chapter 4

Harper

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So far, with Liam,the conversation has flowed naturally, and he has expressed his interest in finding a real relationship like me. I’m almost thirty-one, and my eggs are going to dry up before I find a man to marry, let alone have kids with at this rate.

He’s the first guy in a while, to be honest, every time I ask a question. There is no sly redirecting or evading without an answer. Who the hell would have known I would find someone like him in a sea of jellyfish?

“Would you like another one?” he asks, pointing to my beer.

“Yes, please,” I respond, taking the last swig into my mouth, lips around the rim of the bottle. “I didn’t expect this date to go well, and figured I’d be home before nine in my pajamas watching some drama show.”

He holds his finger up to get the bartender’s attention and asks for two more beers. “I didn’t know what to expect. Glad I came, though. Had second thoughts on the way here.”

See what I mean? He’s so forthcoming, and honest. That’s hard to find in a man, let alone a person anymore. The only thing that is a deal breaker for me is if he didn’t want kids. All my life I have dreamed about being a mom someday and that’s one dream I will never give up, not for anyone.

“Do you live in Grapevine? I haven’t seen you around, and it’s sort of a small town,” he asks, eagerly with an eyebrow heightened.

“Yeah, I live in the new housing development off Heather Court. Only subletting though. Don’t plan to buy until I find the perfect home, and that’s slow going.”

“I own my house, but don’t plan on staying there forever. In a couple years, I plan on selling it and finding my forever home to grow old and senile in.”

A laugh erupts from my throat, and his eyes dart over to me, and then a grin appears.

“What? We all become at least a little senile in old age. Nothing to be ashamed about.”

He’s a jokester, and I like it.

We sip on our beers and keep the conversation going. I tell him about the three states I’ve ever been to, and I don’t count in airports or if I stopped in to get gas on a road trip. Only counts if you are in that state for more than half a day. Liam has been a couple places, but nowhere iconic. There’s something we share; wanting to travel, but not having someone to do it with. Seriously though, who wants to go to somewhere amazing by themselves? No, you want friends or a partner to share the experience with or it’s just boring and lackluster. Somehow we glaze over our love of music and jump straight to current show binges.. He laughs when I mention my current watch.

“I’ll never understand the hype behind vampires and such. Do women really want to be with someone like that? I mean, from my perspective, Edward from Twilight, was a stalker. Yet, women just think he is amazing. I’ll never understand it. Now, Jakob wasn’t a bad dude, he liked her before he knew what he was, and just wanted to keep her safe.”

“Wait, are we really about to get into a deep conversation about Twilight right now? Cause I mean, I’m down if you are.”

“Let’s not. I’m more into things like Law and Order and cop shows. Or like unsolved mysteries.”

I watch them, too, but only when I’m really bored and can’t find anything else.

He looks down at his watch and sighs. “I really would love to stay, but shift starts early and my boss will kill me if I’m late.”

He catches me off guard because I thought we were both enjoying the night. Is he trying to let me down easy? “No worries,” I say, picking up my purse and slinging it across my body. “My best friend will be calling to check in shortly, and if I don’t answer she’ll probably report me missing or something.”

“We don’t want that. I really enjoyed tonight. I’d love to take you out again,” he says, his hand on the small of my back as we walk out of the bar, and into the quiet cold night with only the sound of crickets as music.

“Just call me when you’re free,” I say, standing by my car, awkwardly waiting for the goodnight kiss. After the nice date, I am expecting him to lean over and make his move, but he just stands there, with his hands in his pockets, almost like he’s too scared to do it. Just kiss me, damnit.

“Have a good night. Get home safe. I’ll call you soon,” Liam replies, giving me a quick peck on the cheek like I’m his damn sister or something, and opens my door for me. I wait for him to get into his vehicle before my hands hit the steering wheel. What the hell is that about? Is my Batman signal on the fritz because I practically begged. The first guy I find attractive in a while that isn’t a complete douchebag and he doesn’t even kiss me? Instead of harping on it, I put the car in drive, and head home.

Tessa will be dying to hear about it. Maybe she can help provide some insight on why the hell he didn’t kiss me on the lips? A kiss on the cheek isn’t how you end a date. Or maybe, he couldn’t read my body language and didn’t want to overstep? My mind goes through many scenarios. Yet, none of them seem plausible in the least.

Tessa has been there for me, and after doubting myself, I need to talk to someone.

Me: Details on date over coffee tomorrow?

I slip my silver dress to the floor, and ease on a t-shirt to replace it. The couch looks like a comfy place to be for a couple hours until I’m tired enough to sleep. I might as well enjoy my last couple of days before school is back in session and most of my free time is gone. The TV turns on, and Real Housewives of Atlanta is playing, but I use the remote to flip through the channels until I come across Chicago Fire. It only seems fitting to watch a bunch of sexy firefighters, living vicariously through them until I know if Liam is going to call or not. Fuck, I hope he looks like they do with his shirt off.

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