Read Online Truth or Date by Susan Hatler - Free Book Online Page A

do anything for you.”
    My stomach fell to the floor. I mean, the way he’d said anything took my mind to all kinds of places and I really wanted to get that promise in writing. The air stilled between us as we searched each other’s eyes until, finally, I pressed my palms to his very solid chest. “Honey, it meant nothing to me and will never happen again.”
    He gave me a suspicious side-glance. “How do I know that?”
    “Guess you’ll just have to trust me.” My fingers brushed his cheek and his icy blue eyes simmered. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
    When I turned to go, he held my arm, his eyes darkening. “You look gorgeous, by the way. As always.”
    Warmth flooded through me. “Thanks.”
    His eyes trailed over me one last time. “Since you’re already here, let’s meet out front at eight instead of your place.”
    Before I had a chance to respond, he backed away and disappeared into the men’s room. I grabbed the wall as I swayed a little. Even though we were role playing, the exchange frazzled my nerves as if we were a couple who’d had our first fight and then made up. Intense would be a good word for the whirlwind that just happened between us.
    Not wanting Chris to find me standing here when he came out, I inhaled deeply then headed back to my date.
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Saying goodnight to Ethan had been all kinds of awkward since he wanted to walk me to my car, but I wasn’t going to the car because my next date was already here, on the back deck and, oh yeah, Ethan didn’t like him. Finally, I made up an excuse about needing to use the restroom (again), gave him a brief hug (man, those muscles were firm), and assured him that he didn’t need to wait for me. It had to be one of the oddest departures in history.
    After touching up my lipstick and fluffing my hair in the ladies room, I slipped out onto the back deck where the band’s music pulsed through me in a vibrating hum. Man, the radio was right. They were good.
    Chris and John sat at a table near the railing and were just paying their bill.
    I adjusted the purse handle on my shoulder. “Hi, guys.”
    “Hi.” Chris finished signing his bill then gestured between John and me. “You remember Gina from last night.”
    John gaped in a way that said he barely recognized me from last night. Definitely had to thank Rach for her fashion advice.
    The three of us headed out of the restaurant together then strolled down the sidewalk passing old-fashioned buildings housing various restaurants, a candy shop, toy store, comedy club, and more. I loved the charm of Old Sac. It made me all warm and gooey inside. We made small talk along the way . . . well, mostly John did the talking. Chris was actually acting kind of aloof . . . a first for him.
    “This is where we’re meeting everyone.” John stopped in front of a brick building with wooden doors painted green and white around the small window panes. “O’Malley’s.”
    Recognizing the Irish pub, my smile spread wide and I turned to Chris. “Isn’t this the place we all came after the company picnic last year? That was such a blast.”
    Despite my excitement over the fun memory, he merely nodded without meeting my eyes and held open the door for John and me to go through first. I bit my lip and frowned, wondering what was up with Chris’s odd behavior.
    “There they are.” John led the way, waving to a guy and two girls who swiveled toward us in their high back bar stools. “Hey, Bill, Wanda, Tina.”
    My shoulders tensed as Chris and I approached the table and Ms. H.R.’s long legs—one crossed over the other— came into view. Could her skirt be any shorter? Yeah, we were out of the office, but still.
    Bill waved immediately. “Pull up a chair.”
    We ordered some beers, then joined them at the table. Not surprisingly, Ms. H.R. invited Chris to sit next to her. Whatever. He was barely talking to me anyway. Not sure what I did, but John sat on the other side of me and seemed