The Dating Proposal(42)
“But remember, too, sometimes sex on the first date can be a terrible idea. And sometimes it can be a great idea. The difference usually lies not in the act itself, but in the talking about it beforehand.” Once more, she looks my way, a naughty twinkle in her blue eyes. “And if the sex is good, definitely do it again with a second date.”
I shrug happily, pointing at her. “That’s what she said.”
And that’s what we plan to do later that night. But first, we play mini golf. Per her advice, I wear flip-flops.
She wiggles her butt as she preps to swing the club at a windmill.
“Your shoes are fantastic,” I say, just as she lets loose.
Her shot is all kinds of wrong. She shoots me a withering glare. “You’re trying to knock me off my game.”
I shrug. “You’d expect nothing less of me.”
She grumbles, narrowing her eyes. “I’m going to crush you, Chris McCormick.”
“Be my guest,” I say as she lines up again. “Also, those jeans look great on you.”
I’m the recipient of another sharp stare as she saunters over to me. “You are not playing fair. Complimenting my clothes to try to get me to balk.”
“And it’s working.”
She splays a hand across my stomach, dragging her fingertips in a way that revs my engine. “Two can play at that game.”
I smile and haul her against me for a kiss. I’m intoxicated by her taste, buzzed on her, and having a great time. I flash back to earlier, what we both said in the studio. The key is to talk. That’s been the refrain of all our segments—be honest, be open, tell the truth.
When I break the kiss, I cup her cheek. “I’m glad you were amenable to fun-dating.”
“Me too.”
“We should keep doing it.”
“You angling for a third date already?”
I smile. “Hell yeah.”
She dances her fingers up my chest. “Good. Because I want a third one too.”
The rest of the game, I’m a good boy. I don’t try to distract her with compliments or too many kisses. Instead, we talk as we go, chatting about her dog, and she tells me how much she’s relied on the pooch. I tell her about my friendship with Cooper. How we rib each other constantly, but how we’re also straight shooters when we need to be. She shares a few stories about her sister and their rabid love of cupcakes. I tell her about Jill, and how hard she’s worked for her shot on a Broadway stage.
When we’re done, I’ve won the game.
But it feels like we’ve both won something else.
A normal, terrific, fantastic date, and neither one of us needed to order a lobster to get some good action.
Because that’s what we have when we go home to her house. I say hi to her dog, then I get her clothes off in seconds flat, and I send her soaring.
As she wraps her arms around me, I can feel my trust issues slipping out the door.
Good riddance. I won’t miss them.
27
McKenna
“Here’s one of my favorite parts of dating. I get to do what I like best—devote my mental energy to assembling cute outfit combos,” I say to the phone camera, then model the newest ensemble I’m wearing for tonight’s date with Chris: a swingy little skirt from ModCloth, silver Rag & Bone ankle boots, and a sapphire-blue top I snagged from the best place of all—Target. “Here’s the key—don’t forget that picking an outfit for the third date with a guy you really like is all about you. Sound selfish? Hardly. Wear what makes you feel pretty. Wear what makes you feel good about yourself. That’s what makes a great date outfit.”
I click end then shoot another video, this one with tips for guys (Don’t wear what makes you feel pretty, wear what you think she’ll like). When I’m done, I head to my bedroom, take off the clothes, and leave them on my bed. I pull on a soft T-shirt and jeans and return to my living room, where Andy works diligently from my couch, Ms. Pac-Man commandeering the spot next to him, her snout resting on his leg.
He pets her as he works. “I’m checking out the numbers. Looks like you’re definitely seeing an uptick in dudes, according to the site demographics,” he says, glancing up from his screen.
“Excellent. Good to see the strategy is working. Would you mind sending that report to Kara at Redwood? I updated her the other day, but she can’t get enough of numbers going in the right direction, especially when it comes to men. That was one of the key goals for her investment.”
I settle in at my desk, editing the videos for posting, humming an Elvis tune under my breath as I type. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Andy smirking.
“Spill. What’s that little grin all about?” I stare at him over the screen of my laptop.
“Oh, I was just curious how well your strategy is working.”
My brow knits with confusion. “I thought you just said it was working.”
He shakes his head slowly. “No, the strategy where you don’t fall for the guy you’re dating.”
“What are you talking about?” I say, choosing to play dumb because it’s easier than facing the stark truth.
He rolls his eyes. “Seriously, girlfriend,” he says, adopting some over-the-top sass.