Page 16 of Stay With Me

“Or maybe not.”

“Maybe you’re too skeptical!”

Samantha threw her hands up. “Maybe I don’t want to get hurt again!”

Jenna cocked her head. “That’s fair. But I think you should keep an open mind about him.”

Samantha rolled her eyes and gulped the rest of her watered down margarita. “I have an open mind.”

“There’s also nothing wrong with having a little fun,” Jenna suggested. “Maybe he’s not your forever guy, but he can be your fun almost-thirty fling.”

“I am not almost thirty.”

“Three more years.”

“Ugh. You aresoobnoxious.”

Jenna snickered. “How long are you going to make him wait?”

“Ten dates,” Samantha stated definitively.

“Ten days?”

“Tendates.”

“Ten dates!”

“Yup.”

“Samantha, he’s going to lose interest by then.”

Samantha huffed. “If he loses interest by then, then it’s not meant to be. If he stays with me, then he gets the goods.”

Jenna cackled. “The goods!”

“Yup.”

Jenna continued to laugh. “You read too many romance novels.”

Samantha shrugged. “Well, I’ve learned a lot from them too. And trust me. The goods are worth waiting for.”

* * *

Samantha adjusted her clothes after stepping out of the cab. She’d changed at least six times and finally decided on an outfit she felt was classy, but sexy enough.

She’d selected a pair of white shorts and a well-fitting petal pink top that wasn’t too low cut. A small white clutch purse and the wedge sandals from the night before completed her ensemble. She’d also managed to sweep her shoulder length hair into a messy, yet sophisticated, bun atop her head.

She was apprehensive, but it was honestly rooted in the fact that she wanted Nick to be everything her sister had mentioned he could be. She wasn’t getting any younger and figured her bad experiences and lengthy single status had to be for something.Maybe she’d needed to see exactly what she didn’t want, so she’d be able to know what she did.And of course, if she was involved with Mister Wrong, she wouldn’t have been available for Mister Right. And someone like Nick would be a great Mister Right.

That is if he ended up being what he seemed like he was.

Samantha pushed her way inside and scanned the room. She didn’t see him yet so she found an empty seat next to the bar to wait.

Thirty minutes passed and she couldn’t help wondering if she had been stood up. She waved at the bartender, deciding to start her evening without her date.

The bartender tossed a napkin in front of her. “What’ll it be?”

Samantha hesitated. “Something strong that doesn’t taste strong.”