The Truth Read Online Free PDF Page B

followed by the slight scratch of a callus. I turn to face him and breathe in the scent of fresh body wash as if he had just stepped out of the shower.
    I try to act casual, but I feel my entire face light up with the smile he evokes from me. “Hi.”
    “Hey, I’m glad you found the place.”
    “I wasn’t sure if I was in the right place, to be honest. I wasn’t expecting…” I pause looking for the right words. “Actually, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What is this place? I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it.”
    “Oh, Alyssa, Alyssa, Alyssa. You have just stumbled into the gem of the city.” He has a twinkle in his eye as he looks around and then takes me in. “You look gorgeous.” It is the simplest compliment, but those few words make me feel like I could move mountains. “Okay, I know this is an unusual place for a first date, but let me explain why I chose this place. First, they have everything great dates are made of—and second, this isn’t technically our first date.” He sounds like a little kid in a candy store. It’s adorable.
    Grant’s smile is contagious. “What makes a great date?” I ask him genuinely curious what he thinks.
    “Good food, fun atmosphere, and someone you want to share those things with.” He winks. It’s cheesy, but I have always liked guys who wink. Maybe it’s because I am incapable. It’s true. I, Alyssa K. Silver, cannot wink. When I try, I look like I’m having a stroke. Regardless, I have always loved when guys wink.
    Many beers, a few Tarantula shots, the best tacos I’ve ever had, countless games of Golden Tee and hours of laughs later, I realize I am on the best first-second date I’ve ever been on. Grant is like a big kid in a suit with a fancy job.
    I’ve decided to top the night off with one of Fred’s incredible swirl margaritas. I’m twirling the straw, mesmerized by the combining of the icy raspberry and orange mango goodness in front of me. I look up at Grant just smiling at me. I smile back involuntarily. I don’t think anyone could not smile back at Grant Kennedy. There is just something enchanting about him. “You know, you aren’t what I expected.”
    “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
    “Definitely a good thing. Honestly, I expected to be meeting you at a fancy, stuffy restaurant where I would have four forks and menu items I can’t pronounce. This was much more fun.”
    “That would usually be my protocol for a date. But if I'm honest, it’s usually a one-time deal. I wanted to have fun with you. I wasn’t sure if this was going to go over. A lot of women would have turned up their nose at this place, but not you. This is probably the first date I’ve actually had fun on and that didn’t involve a bedroom.”
    “Ditto,” I say before I seductively put the straw in my drink between my lips. We have had so much fun together the past few hours. I’m not sure what just made the switch flip, maybe it was the alcohol flowing through my veins, but I want to touch him. I close my lips around the top of the straw and move it into my mouth while holding his eyes. “Mmmm.” I make a small sound of appreciation and I see his breath hitch. “This might be the best margarita I have ever had. I like the fat straws so you can suck up every drop.” I’m teasing him. I know it. I am loving it.
     
    * * *
    We kiss on the walk out to catch a cab. We make out in the cab on the ride to his place. We devour each other up against his front door while he fumbles with the key. He catches us both from falling as we stumble into his mini-mansion. The light in the foyer must be movement sensitive because it flashes on when we come in.
    Nothing is going to stop us at this point. The door slams shut and I’m up against it in an instant. I close my eyes so tight while he nuzzles and kisses my neck. I feel like I’m trying to save this all to memory in my haze of booze. I don’t know if this is going to be a one-time thing or a lifetime