Best Friends Don't Kiss(23)

All the guys share a noticeable look, so much so that I have to ask, “What? What is it?”

I mean, I know the whole guy-girl friendship thing isn’t exactly the norm, but that’s all Ava and I are. Just friends. We have been for years.

Kline is the only one to answer. “It’s nothing, really. You don’t have to worry, though. Dating app or not, I have a feeling everything with your friend Ava will work out just fine.”





November 3rd

Ava



At a little after seven, I step through the rustic, wooden doors of Emilio’s, a popular Italian restaurant located in the center of Little Italy. The establishment is packed to the gills, and I search around the medium-sized, softly lit space in search of my first official TapNext date—Brian Grove.

Otherwise known as Boat-Lover Brian to my best friend Luke.

I’m not sure why he’s making such a big deal out of this guy having a boat. Hobbies are a good thing. It shows he has something to work toward. An interest to occupy his time.

My stomach twists as I rub my fingers together—an old habit I started as a kid when my nerves are running wild—and search the restaurant for my date. To be honest, I know he has blondish hair and a clean-shaven face, but the rest of the details of his face are…foggy.

I try to pull up the app to take another look at him just to refresh my memory, but my phone refuses to load it for some reason. Something about the construction of the building must be jamming the data signal or something because my actual cell service seems to be just fine.

I spot a blond-headed man at the bar, but when I look closer, I realize he’s an obvious twenty years older than my date. Or your date is twenty years older than he claims to be…

No. No, that can’t be it. Please. I just need to keep looking.

Another blond head shines in the light from above a table, and my stomach flips over on itself with anxious excitement. I get up on my toes to take a better look.

Shit. Never mind. Unless Brian has a wife and two kids, I highly doubt that’s him.

Maybe I should just text him. See where he is that way. I unlock my phone and open my messages, but before I can start another thread with Brian’s number, a blue dot pops up next to Luke’s name.



Luke: You want to grab some dinner tonight? I just got back from LA and can be changed in five minutes.



Me: I can’t. I’m on a date. Almost.



Luke: Oh shit, that’s right. I forgot that was tonight. Wait, what do you mean, almost?



Me: Well, I’m at the restaurant, but I’m having a hard time locating my date.



Luke: WTF? He’s not there???



Me: No, he’s here. I’m pretty sure anyway. I’m just kind of having a hard time remembering what he looks like.



Luke: What? LOL. You can’t remember what your date looks like, Ace?



Me: Shut up. I have a general sense, but there are a lot of people here! It’s harder than you think. I was just about to text him, but I’m not sure I want him to know I’m having this hard of a time if it turns out he’s, like, right next to me or something.



Luke: Just look up his profile.



Me: I tried, but I’m not getting enough data service in here. Do you think…maybe you could sign in to my account and look him up for me?



Luke: Jesus.



Me: Does that mean yes?



Luke: Fine. Hold please.



Luke: Okay, I’m in.



Me: WHAT? HOW? I didn’t tell you my sign-in info yet.



Luke: LOL Ava, I’ve known you for nearly half of my life at this point. I guessed your sign-in info. Btw, you need a stronger password.



Me: LUKE



Luke: Ok, Boat-Lover Brian’s characteristics… Ruggedly douchey. Pompously strong jaw. The nose of a rhino.



Me: You’re ridiculous. Just send me a picture!



It takes a minute, but finally, Luke sends the picture of Brian through so I can scrutinize it.

His hair is far darker than I thought, and his slightly scruffy jaw proves he’s not exactly clean-shaven, but he’s still good-looking in a boy-next-door kind of way. I’m not sure how it should make me feel that he’s not at all what I thought he looked like, but I decide not to let it bother me.

Thankfully, when I give the room another once-over, I spot the real Brian Grove in the far back corner, sitting at a table with a white cloth and tealight candles flickering in the center.

He smiles and rises from his chair as I make my way toward him, evidently recognizing me immediately.

Yikes.

“Ava, right?” he asks, and I nod.

“You must be Brian.”

“I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His smile grows, and when he leans a little too close to my face, my heart starts to pound erratically.

Holy shit, what is he doing?

Is he trying to kiss me? Before we’ve even eaten?!

My instincts make me jump away from him, and his eyes go wide as he glances between my face and his hand that is now resting on the top of my chair, which he has kindly pulled out for me.

Oh Lawd, Ava. You’re a lunatic.