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Chapter Sixteen

STEVIE

“A re you sure this looks okay?” I hold the phone in the mirror so Crestina can see the outfit I’m wearing. It’s nothing fancy, simple really.

It’s a plain black cardigan that dips low, tucked into wide-leg jeans, finished off with a brown, woven belt and black ankle booties. I stack the few gold chain necklaces I have to make it look a bit nicer.

“Babe, you look hot. Like hot hot. Bode is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

“It’s weird, getting ready to go out when I live down the hallway from him.”

“So?” Cressy shrugs a shoulder. “Maybe it’ll make the tension hotter when he sees you.”

“This isn’t a nineties rom-com. It’s not like I’m going to shake out my hair and suddenly be different.”

Cressy scoffs at me. “I meant more like he’s seen you with no makeup on and he’ll think you look hot.”

“Okay. I’m going to let you go. I need to finish getting ready.”

She points a finger in my face. “I better not hear from you tonight. Only tomorrow. With details. Lots of details.”

“Goodbye.” I stab the end call button and toss my phone onto the bed. Of course she would say that.

I take my time applying my makeup, having a thorough routine since I work on faces all day. Not only that, I want to look good for Bode.

It seems like so long since I’ve been on a date. I’ve been at Bode’s almost two months now, and it’s hard to fathom not being here. I’ve gotten comfortable staying with him. Not to mention, it’s nice seeing Nan more.

Setting my makeup in place, I take one last look in the mirror.

Deep breaths, Stevie.

You can do this. It’s only dinner.

Spritzing on my perfume—the fanciest thing I own, being a designer brand—I grab my phone and head downstairs.

Soft voices waft up the stairs. Turning onto the landing, I see Bode on the floor with Caleb as our grandmas sit on the couch, chatting.

Even from here, I can tell Bode looks good. The way his dark jeans hug his legs. Hockey does wonders for that ass.

“Stevie. Look at you.”

Eve’s voice pulls my attention to them as Bode spins around and pops up.

“Wow. You look…great.” Bode clears his throat as he meets me at the bottom of the stairs.

“So do you.”

Bode looks edible in that white button-down of his. The top three buttons are undone, exposing his chest. With his shirt tucked into his dark jeans, and brown oxford shoes, he looks super sexy.

So fucking delicious, I want to take a bite of him now.

Down, Stevie.

“Don’t you two make a cute couple,” Nan gushes, walking over to us with Caleb in her arms.

“Nan!” I hiss.

“What?” She shrugs her shoulders. “No harm in pointing out the truth.”

“Now, make sure you don’t come home too early,” Eve says. “Maybe cause a bit of trouble while you’re out.”

Bode groans next to me. “Gran. You know I can’t get into trouble. That would look bad for the team.”

“I have no intention of getting into trouble,” I tell her.

She waves us off. “You two are no fun.”

“Yeah, try and have some fun on your date. If you even know what that is,” Nan snickers.

“You want to get out of here?” Bode asks, ignoring them.

“God, yes.”

Bode drops a kiss on Caleb’s head as we head toward the garage. Grabbing my purse, we’re in Bode’s truck before they can follow us, likely to make fun of us again.

“Has your Nan always been like that?” Bode asks.

“Yes. What about yours?”

“For as long as I can remember.”

“It’s a wonder we turned out so normal then.” I laugh. “Where are we going tonight?”

Bode waits for the gate to open before easing into traffic. “There’s this little French place I found that has great reviews.”

“Okay.”

Conversation with Bode is easy as we head toward downtown. The skyline is already lit, even with the sun still out.

Pulling up to a building not quite in the thick of Broadway, Bode valets his truck and comes to my side to help me out.

“Oh. This looks nice.”

Bode smiles at me and holds open the door of a three-story brownstone building. Lamps sit in each window, hidden behind linen curtains.

Bode gives his name and we’re ushered to a row of tables along one wall. A heavy chandelier hangs from the center of the room. The floorboards creak beneath our feet. The light from the candles on the tables and the chandelier cast everyone in shadows.

“Thanks.” I smile at Bode as he pulls out the chair for me before taking his seat.

He opens the menu, giving it a casual perusal. Bode looks at ease here. Looking around, all the couples are dressed to the nines. Women are wearing pearls and the men are in suit jackets.

I feel wholly underdressed. It’s places like this that always make me feel like I don’t belong.

“Welcome to Le Jardin d’étoiles,” our server greets us. “We’re happy to have you join us this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?”

My eyes almost bug out of my head when I glance at the wine list. A glass of wine almost costs what I make in a day.

“Can we have a few minutes to look the menu over?” Bode asks.

He bows to him in his white tuxedo shirt and black suspenders. “Take your time.”

“Anything stand out to you?”

“Umm…”

“What?” That has him worried.

“The menu is in French. Do you know what any of this means?”

“Hang on.” Bode grabs his phone and taps a few buttons. “Here, see if this translates it.”

“Thanks.” I smile at him from across the table. The small flicker of candlelight makes him look even sexier. If that were possible.

“Is it helping?”

“I don’t really know what anything is.”

Ingredients are so elaborate, I have no idea what they are. I mean, what is mousse cracker?

“I thought I saw steak online,” Bode confesses. “That’s usually what I get.”

“There’s steak tartare, it looks like. But I don’t know if that’s the same thing.”

That earns me a laugh from Bode and a glare from the couple sitting next to us.

“I don’t think so.”

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate you bringing me here, Bode, I do, but?—”

“But this isn’t your kind of place?” he interrupts.

I nod. “Sorry.”

“Shit,” he mumbles, setting his menu down. “Can I tell you a secret?” Bode whispers, leaning over the candle sitting between the two of us. We’re so close to the other tables here, it feels like I’m bumping elbows with them.

“Yes.”

“I’ve never really been on a date.”

“You haven’t?”

That surprises me. The man oozes sex. I don’t know how he would have any trouble finding someone to take out.

“I mean, in high school, we went to the football games and did group hangouts. As an adult? I won’t go into the details.”

I wince, knowing the details with that one sentence.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, I don’t need to be wined and dined at a fancy restaurant.”

“Yeah?” Bode closes his menu. “Want to get out of here?”

“Yes.”

Bode links his hand with mine, jogging down the stairs as we run out the door. “Okay, if you don’t like fancy French places, can you give me a hint of what you do like?”

Stuffing my hands in the back pockets of my jeans, I spin on my heel to face him.

“Something fun.”

“Fun?” His face lights up. “Okay, fun I can do. Let’s go.”