Page 85 of It's Not PMS, It's You

I winced. “Baby Ruth.”

Nick erupted in laughter, a deep, hearty laugh. It was so infectious, I started laughing myself, even though I hated that nickname with a passion.

He wiped his eyes. “Good stuff. By the way, where did you find Edward?”

“Online dating, where else?”

He nodded. “It looks like you’re not having much luck. It’s the second day in a row that you’ve had a date with someone at a restaurant but didn’t actually eat with the person.”

“You think that’s bad? Then there was the first date of the week where I wolfed down the food as fast as I could and practically ran toward the exit.”

“Sounds like you’re looking for the wrong type of guy.”

“Sounds likeIneed to get back home if you’re going to start giving me dating advice.”

He threw up his hands in defense. “Fair enough, but I have the perfect solution for your dating woes.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Well, if you change your mind . . .”

I smiled. “Thanks for the sushi.”

“My pleasure. I’m just going to pay, and I’ll be right behind you.”

I walked out of the restaurant, placed the food in the back seat of my car, and got in.

I started the engine and sat there thinking while the car idled.

What just happened in there? I felt relaxed.

For a moment or two or even ten before I walked out of the restaurant, it almost felt like Nick and I were having a completely normal conversation.

And I enjoyed it.

There wasn’t any frustration.

I wasn’t on edge.

And I actually laughed.

I glanced back toward the front door of the restaurant, my mind on Nick.

What the hell was going on?

Chapter Seventeen

RUTH

Dee and I were still eating sushi in the kitchen, one of us occasionally glancing outside toward Nick and Brandon as they worked in the backyard. I had no doubts that the guys were talking about us, but that would make us even, since we were also talking about them.

“What’s going on with you today?” Dee asked in a low voice. “Why do you keep looking into the yard?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“Who’s more pathetic, me or you?”

“It’s a tie, for sure.”