I tuck my phone back into the small purse I brought, letting that warm, fuzzy feeling wash over me. I can feel his frustration even through those few words he texted. He likes me. He wants to be with me. I’ve spent a lot of time with him lately, and I even met his mom.
That has to count for something, right?
We arrive at the restaurant and Ryan turns his car keys over to the valet before walking us inside. Jordan’s sitting in the lobby waiting for us and he rises to his feet when he sees me, his eyes going wide as he slowly approaches.
“You put our name in already?” Ryan asks him.
Jordan never takes his gaze away from me. “Yeah. Table will be ready in a few minutes.”
And then his hands are on my waist, pulling me into him. “You look gorgeous,” he whispers just before he kisses me lightly on the lips.
I’m thankful he’s holding onto me. Otherwise I probably would’ve slipped to the floor in a boneless heap at his very public claiming of me.
“So, Tuttle. You like her makeover?” Livvy asks Jordan, amusement lacing her tone. She’s loving every minute of this.
“I do,” he tells her before he leans in and murmurs in my ear, “Though I think you’re even more beautiful when you’re wearing sweats and no makeup on.”
“Stop.” I lightly smack his chest, my entire body flushing hot.
“Just stating the truth.” He kisses my cheek before we both turn to find Ryan and Livvy watching us with surprise etched across their faces. “What?” he asks crossly.
They both stand up straight, their expressions going neutral. “Not used to seeing you like this, bro,” Ryan says.
“You pretty much hate everyone,” Livvy adds.
Jordan slips his arm around my waist. “I don’t hate everyone,” he drawls. “I’m just picky.”
What a way to put it. So is he saying that I should feel special because he picked me?
The hostess calls Jordan’s name and we follow after her as she escorts us to our table. The restaurant is small and intimate, with dark walls and low lighting, candles burning on every table. Colorful fall bouquets sit next to lit votives in the center and the tables are draped in white cloth. It’s all very elegant and fancy and I’m not used to this sort of place whatsoever.
Thad never took me to fancy dinners the few times we actually went out on a date. And my family doesn’t come to places like this. The fanciest we get is Applebee’s or Chili’s. I know that sounds lame, but it’s true.
I pick up my menu and flip it over. It’s only printed on one side and I frown, reading over the small list of appetizers and entrees they serve.
“The chef changes the menu every few weeks, and themes it by whatever’s in season,” Jordan explains to me, like he can sense my confusion.
“Oh.” I scan it, unease slipping through me. None of it sounds that great, though mostly that’s due to me never eating this kind of food. I’m not an adventurous eater. I’m not much of an adventurous anything. Glancing around the table, I see Livvy smiling over at Ryan as he says something flirtatious. She’s not worried about ordering, so I shouldn’t be either.
“You want me to order for you?” Jordan offers, his voice low and only for me to hear. “What looks good to you?”
There’s not one item with chicken in it, and that would’ve been my go-to. There’s some strange ravioli thing that sounds sweet and kind of odd. There’s also steak on the menu, but I’m not that crazy about red meat.
“I guess,” I finally say to him with a tiny shrug, keeping my gaze fixed on the menu. I’m feeling helpless and stupid, and that is one of the worst feelings in the world.
The server appears, a guy who’s not much older than we are, and his gaze fixes on Jordan like he knows exactly who he is. Which he just might. Jordan doesn’t acknowledge him in a friendly manner, though. He orders a goat cheese appetizer that makes me wrinkle my nose, and the waiter jots everything down before offering a dazzling smile and saying, “Your father is dining with us tonight.”
Jordan frowns at the server. “Are you talking to me?”
“Yes.” He bobs his head up and down in some strange display of manic behavior. “Perhaps you would like to join him?”
“Perhaps another time,” Jordan says coolly, glaring at the waiter until he finally slinks off.
“What the hell was that about?” Ryan asks once the server’s out of earshot. “I don’t think I’ve seen your dad ever.”
“You haven’t known him very long,” Liv says just before she turns to Jordan. “Though I haven’t seen your father much either, and I’ve known you for what feels like forever.”