Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“Yeah…umm…I don’t mind doing free things. Those will count as dates. However, on at least one date, you have to spend a minimum of ten dollars on us.”
Liam scoffed. “I might be poor, but I’m not that hard up.”
“I’m not saying you are. The point of this isn’t for you to spend money on me,” I snapped.
“Anything else?”
“The date has to last at least three hours.”
“And the timer starts from the moment I pick you up.”
“Sure.” I shrugged, feeling more relaxed now that we had some ground rules set.
“Anything else?”
“Nope. So, where are we going?”
Liam smiled at me, tight and angry. “It’s a surprise. Are you free tomorrow night? Seven?”
My stomach somersaulted. It was actually going to happen. “Yep.”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up at…” His voice trailed off as he likely realized that he had no idea where I lived.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket, opened up the contacts, and handed it to him. “Put your number in there. I’ll text you the address.”
Liam hesitated a second, only to sigh and take the phone. “Don’t text me a bunch of bullshit memes and other stuff. I don’t have time for that nonsense.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about. I won’t waste my humor on a grumpy old man like you.”
“Whatever. You’re a year older than me.” He thrust my phone at me, and I ignored how it seemed to feel warmer because he’d held it.
“And I’m still not as crotchety as you are.” I glanced at the screen, my pulse giving an odd flutter to see his name and phone number among my contacts. He still had a Rhode Island area code. How long had he possessed this number? It was almost like stepping back in time. Would we have done this when we’d gotten our first cell phones as teens?
“I need to return to work,” Liam cut in, his voice softer than it had been.
“Of course.” I grabbed the door handle behind me and moved forward to open it. After moving into the library, I shuffled aside so Liam could walk past me. But he didn’t. He stopped in the doorway a couple of feet away from me.
“You know, you could put us out of our misery and just make the stupid donation,” Liam stated. “While you hate me, you clearly care about kids. Supporting the museum benefits the kids in a wide area.”
“Misery? What misery? I’m already having fun.” I cackled.
Liam rolled his eyes and stormed away, muttering “Asshole” under his breath.
Turning my attention to my phone, I typed out a quick text and sent it to Liam.
Can’t wait for tomorrow night!
8
LIAM ROSE
“Pinball Wizard?”
My stomach roiled and twisted, leaving me grateful that I’d eaten a light lunch. Otherwise, I would have puked it all up by now. Even though this wasn’t a real date, that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried about this night being a complete disaster.
“Yeah. I haven’t lived in the city for long. Only about six months. I discovered this place by accident. It’s all vintage. Pinball machines, Skee-ball, and a handful of the old video games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. No tokens or coins. You pay a fee to get in and play as long as you want. They even have food. Bar food. Pizza, burgers, wings. Stuff like that.” When I could finally get my mouth to stop running, I held my breath. Was he going to go for it? Yeah, it wasn’t a romantic date, but it was cool, right? As kids, Rome and I had played video games until our eyes crossed and our hands cramped up.
After a long enough silence that I feared I would suffocate, Rome turned to me with a smirk lifting the left corner of his mouth. He lightly punched my shoulder. “Apparently, there’s still some hope for you.”
Asshole.
With the date activities approved, I led the way to the front door. There was another key reason for picking this location. The noise of the machine and the nature of playing these games meant it was hard to make conversation. I wouldn’t have to worry about Rome and his nosy questions or having to come up with painful small talk. For the next two and a half hours, we could eat pizza, drink beer, and play video games. As soon as the time was up, I’d drive him to where I’d picked him up downtown, and my first-date obligation would be fulfilled.
Inside the building that smelled of popcorn and oregano, I stepped up to the ticket booth and tried hard not to blush when I asked for two adult passes while Rome stood behind me. To her credit, the heavily tattooed twentysomething didn’t blink an eye as she punched into the computer and I tapped my card on the reader. She handed us two neon-green paper wristbands and wished us a good time. Maybe we didn’t look like a gay couple out on a date. She probably thought we were a pair of friends hanging out. I was freaking out for nothing.