Read Online The Date (Single Wide Female in Love #1) by Lillianna Blake - Free Book Online Page A

of him sitting somewhere waiting for my response. Was he really as heartbroken as he claimed?
    As much as I didn’t want to be, I was intrigued by his big secret. I wanted to know what it was—if it even really existed.

Chapter 18

    I woke up early the next morning to get my writing done before my date with Spence. Since I’d shifted careers and become a writer I didn’t always follow a set schedule. I had taken full advantage of being able to sleep in as late as I pleased.
    As I began to write I got lost in an active scene. By the time my eyes were blurry, it was already after ten. I hadn’t eaten breakfast, showered, or done anything but type.
    I rushed around, glad that I could dress casual for this date. I was out the door, only a few minutes behind schedule.
    The food cart was exactly as I’d imagined it would be. It smelled like grease, the counter looked less than clean, and the person selling the food acted put out that he had customers. Still, I couldn’t wait to try the food.
    Since my diet had gotten so much healthier, food carts hadn’t been an option for me. But indulging now and then was fine, and I was looking forward to it.
    The man standing beside the cart distracted me from visions of a dripping cheese steak. He was shorter than I’d pictured, but just as handsome. He turned to look at me with a wide smile. I smiled in return as I walked up to him.  
    “Spence?”  
    “Only if you’re Samantha.” He grinned.  
    “I am.” I offered him my hand to shake it. Instead he grasped it with a delicate touch and drew it to his lips.
    After a flutter of a kiss, he released it.
    I giggled. It was a sweet gesture, but unexpected.  
    “Are you hungry?” He wiggled his eyebrows.  
    “Absolutely!”  
    “My favorite is the Italian beef. I don’t know if that’s something that you would like. You’re not one of those veggie chicks are you?”  
    I raised an eyebrow at the description. “I don’t think so.” I did my best to ignore the fact that I thought his words were a little insulting. I might not have chosen to go completely plant-based with my diet, but I had respect for those who did. Dieting was hard, no matter what you ate.  
    “Good. Then I’ll get us two?”  
    “I can get my own—”  
    “No. Sorry. I know, women are all evolved and such, but if you’re on a date with me, I’m paying.” He maneuvered past me to place the order.
    One of my eyes twitched.  
    Cool it, Sammy, he’s just trying to be chivalrous—trying and failing.
    Before I could get wrapped up in an internal argument he turned to look at me again.  
    “A beer maybe?”  
    “No thanks. I’ll just have a water.”  
    “You’re not a drinker?”  
    “Not at eleven in the morning.” I laughed, but stopped abruptly when I saw a beer in his hand. “I mean—it’s just not for me.”  
    He didn’t seem to notice my discomfort. He paid for the order and carried the plates to a rickety wooden table and chairs. When I sat down across from him, I was reminded of why I’d agreed to a date with him. When he looked at me, his eyes were endless—the type that I could easily get lost in.  
    “So what do you do?”  
    “I’m a writer.” I took a bite of the Italian beef and nearly cried out with pleasure. Luckily I managed to plant a napkin over my mouth before I did.  
    “A writer?” He quirked an eyebrow. “Like, one of those blog thingies?
    “Well, I do have a blog. But I’m also working on a novel.”  
    “Oh.” He nodded. “Interesting. So I guess you’re hoping to snatch up somebody with a real job, huh?”  
    My jaw dropped. My mouth just happened to be stuffed with Italian beef at the time. I chewed and swallowed so fast that I bit the side of my tongue.  
    “Excuse me? Why would you say something like that?”  
    “Relax, relax.” He chuckled. “I just wanted to see if you’re cute when you’re mad.”  
    I stared at him. I wasn’t sure if I should shout at him or