“Then I think we should change that.”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because….” The reasons that are usually glaring seem to fade away as I glance over at him. His T-shirt is damp with sweat, clinging to a muscular frame that I’m sure would make most girls drool.
“Because why?” he prods.
“Because we have a history.”
“Yeah. And it’s shitty history.”
His bluntness is enough to spark another laugh from me. “You’re not wrong.”
“I’d like to change that. Maybe show you that I’m not the kid you knew growing up.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I repeat, though I can feel myself wavering.
“I’m not asking for anything crazy, Charlie. I just want to get to know you too. I’ve already seen how little I know who you are now, and I want to unlock a few of your other mysteries.”
“I’m not that mysterious,” I deflect.
“And I beg to differ. You’re one of the most unique women I’ve ever met.”
“Because I like guy stuff?” My comment is laced with annoyance, and I don’t bother to hide it from him.
“No, because you don’t see yourself the way I do. Call it a hunch, but I think we could get along really well. I’d like to get to know the girl I’ve seen glimpses of. And I also think you might like the guy you’ve seen glimpses of lately too.”
Sucking my lips into my mouth, I weigh the pros and cons before muttering, “What do you have in mind?”
“Cowboy sushi?”
“I don’t like fish—”
“That’s why I said cowboy sushi,” he clarifies with a boyish grin. “There’s a little place called Texas Roundup that serves it.”
“I’ve never heard of cowboy sushi. How did you know I don’t like fish?”
“A little restaurant I know serves cooked beef and chicken before matching it with certain veggies and wrapping them into rice rolls. Then they pair the sushi rolls”—he lifts his fingers to do air quotes—“with sauces like sriracha mayo or avocado lime ranch. That kind of thing.”
My stomach grumbles at the thought before I admit, “That actually sounds pretty good.”
“I think you’d like it. And like I said, not a single fish in sight. They don’t even serve seafood there.”
“I don’t date, though.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because….” My voice trails off as I scramble for an excuse.
Because…why?
Why the hell don’t I date?
Instead of responding, I simply shrug before recognizing how close we are to Forever Grey. My pace quickens. If I can just get there, then I can end this conversation and go home to take a shower. I’ll be able to clear my head and wash away the conflicting feelings that are starting to surface the longer I’m around someone I thought I knew but definitely don’t.
“I’m going to take that as a yes, you’ll grab cowboy sushi with me. How does tonight sound? Or maybe this weekend sometime?”