Baxter Cunningham is movie-star handsome. All the women who aren’t otherwise occupied by someone else have spent a considerable amount of time staring at him. He’s a perfect mix of Ryan Reynolds and Vin Diesel.
Tall, hot, buff, and has a killer smile.
But it’s his eyes that get me.
Something is missing in them.
“You like serving coffee?” Let’s not forget the condescending attitude that comes with his looks.
“I do. I get to meet tourists, people from town, hear about their adventures; it’s fulfilling.” And far more complicated than he makes it sound.
“Interesting. What else do you like doing?” A smirk crosses his lips as his eyebrows wiggle, and while I understand it’s a sexual innuendo, I don’t appreciate it.
“I surf, bake. I’m remodeling my house.” I’m pretty proud of that, too.
“You’re remodeling?” He scoffs like it’s unbelievable.
I place my hand over the wine glass as the waiter stops by to refill it. “Yes, I enjoy the physical labor. It keeps my mind occupied.” I regret the words as soon as I say them.
“I can certainly think of other more enjoyable ways to get physical.” He winks, and internally, I roll my eyes.
Baxter is a pig.
I can’t decide if he’s putting on a show or if he’s truly this disgusting.
Either way, I’m unimpressed.
I’m not one who likes conflict, but I can’t allow him to keep speaking to me so grotesquely. “Look, Baxter, I appreciate that you are a flirt; however, your ‘jokes’ and innuendos are not to my taste. Perhaps we should call it a night.”
He appears shocked that I’m not flattered by his remarks before his face slides into one of passivity. “I’m sorry, Ophelia, it’s a bad habit I’ve been trying to rectify. I’d really like to continue with the night. Maybe we could start over?”
Every instinct in me is saying walk away…red alert…he’s a jerk, but he does look remorseful, and I’ve never been intentionally rude in my life. “Sure, fresh start.”
Taking in a few measured breaths, I attempt to relax as we look over the menu. “Have you eaten here before?” He glances up at me.
Garland’s is a cute hybrid restaurant. Fancy in the back, café in the front. “A few times, with my best friend and her husband.”
“What’s good?” His eyes wander to a passing group of young women, and it’s then I realize this is a waste of my time. But I hold out for now.
“I personally love their chicken ranch salad with skewered shrimp.” It’s my favorite item on their menu, but we’ve never gone wrong with anything here.
“Rabbit food? Pass.” And there’s the attitude again.
Fortunately, my phone beeps before I’m able to respond to his remark. “Excuse me.” I give a polite smile as I open the message from Laken.
Laken: Is it a 911 yet? Do I need to come in guns blazing? Well, Hale would.
I bite my tongue to hide my delight.
Ophelia: It’s a 5-alarm blaze at this point.
Laken: Shoot. I had high hopes for this one.
Ophelia: Where are you finding these guys?
I don’t know how she’s done it, but Laken has managed to find the worst guys I’ve ever met.
“Everything alright?” I glance up at Baxter’s question and give him a reflexive nod before putting my phone away.
“Yes, just my friend checking in on me. She knows I have an early morning tomorrow and wanted to see if I needed help.” The lie falls easily off my tongue.
“I see.” Can this be over now? I shouldn’t have given him the second chance. I need to listen to myself more.
After an hour of eating, making small talk, and avoiding any remotely personal topics, we walk out of the restaurant, where Baxter actually paid. He didn’t hesitate to take the bill from our server and told me immediately to put my wallet away.
I guess he’s not a complete lost cause.
“This is me.” I point to my car as the sun is beginning to fade in the sky.
“I’d like to continue the evening. Maybe go back to your place, open a bottle of wine, get to know one another more.” And there it is.
“I’ll have to pass tonight. I do have to be up quite early.”
“To serve coffee?” he scoffs.
“Goodnight, Baxter.” I choose to ignore his ignorance and just end it here and now.
“Wait a minute. I bought dinner.” So, he’s one of those.
“And?” I raise a brow at him.
“Well, I think you owe me more than a simple goodnight.” I see the storm brewing in his eyes and decide I’m done being nice.
“I’m not a whore, Baxter. If you wanted food and a fuck, you should have gone to the red-light district. I don’t put out because you bought me a meal. Now, goodnight. I hope to never see you again.” Shoving him aside, I swiftly enter my car, slam the door shut, and lock it as he curses up a blue streak outside.
Drawing more attention to myself than I like, I start the engine and merge into traffic. I have zero desire to deal with any more men, and I’ll need to put my foot down with Laken.
I love her. I love that she’s in such a good place and wants that for me as well, but not at the expense of my dignity. If love is in the cards for me, then I’ll find it on my own.
Blind Date #3 – I didn’t put my foot down. Sue me!
I told Laken no more. Practically begged her to cancel the rest, but she promised that Hale picked these guys, and he knew them personally. She’s vowing I’ll find my forever with at least one of my two last dates.
I’m having a mid-afternoon lunch with a firefighter on the boardwalk near my café. Which brings me a bit of comfort because it’s always busy here, and after my last date, I still can’t shake off the unease.
Dressed in my favorite baby-blue romper with thick straps, adorable heart-shaped pockets, and my hair knotted on top of my head with a bandana wrapped around, I’ve at least tried to look cute. Even my slip-on Converse match. I kept my makeup light with just some mascara, blush, and my favorite bubble gum lip gloss.
“Ophelia?” Turning around at the masculine voice, I grin when I see Torque Decker, Hale’s younger brother.
“Of course it would be you.” I kiss his cheek as he bends down to do the same.
“You didn’t know it was going to be me?” I shake my head. And now I know why. I’d have said no. There’s no way I would chance awkwardness with Laken and Hale when things go bad through some event or another because there’s no way this fine specimen of a man would want anything to do with a girl like me.
“Neither of them said a word.” A dimple appears when his smile widens, and if not for the fact that it’s already blazing hot, I’d swear I’m blushing.
“Are you disappointed?” His head cocks as he gently cups my elbow, moving me to the side so we’re out of the way.
“Worried is the better word for it.” I won’t lie to the man. I can’t stand the idea of having to dodge my best friends because things don’t work out for Torque and me.