Matched For Love(18)

Scents of pineapple, seafood, and, oddly, BBQ sauce tingled her nose as she forced her feet forward and across the room. Pizza was sounding better by the moment.

Jason finally glanced up from his phone long enough to notice she was almost at his table. She forced a smile. “Hi, Jason? I’m Lori.” She stuck out her hand.

He halfway stood, his gaze checking her out from head to toe before he gently shook her hand. “Great to meet you, Lori. You’re a little late. Have trouble finding the place?”

Did ten minutes constitute being late for a date these days? She’d have to work on that. “No. Just running behind a bit. Have you eaten here before?”

Instead of standing up the rest of the way and pulling out her chair for her the way her husband would have done, Jason sat and watched her slip out of her coat, his eyes assessing every inch of her.

He finally said, “Yes. It’s my new favorite. I love the combo of pork sliders and lobster rolls.”

“The lobster rolls sound good.” She picked up her menu and scanned it. She wasn’t a picky eater by any means, but the weird combinations didn’t make any sense to her.

Jason leaned closer. “I like your dress. Who designed it?”

Only a man dressed nicer than her would have asked that. By the sparkle of his Rolex and the cut of his suit, it looked as though he valued fine clothes. “I have no idea. I got it on sale at Macy’s.”

“It’s refreshing to meet a woman confident enough to buy off the rack.” The corner of his mouth lifted as if he’d been teasing. “In any event, the color goes well with your skin tone.”

“Thank you.” She’d never given a second thought to her skin tone when picking a dress. Maybe she’d pay more attention in the future.

A young, good-looking waiter appeared and asked if she’d like a drink. Before she could answer, Jason held up his glass and said, “Bring me two more while you’re at it.”

The waiter nodded politely and then turned back to her. “For you, ma’am?”

“A glass of house white wine is fine. Thanks.” She didn’t want to order something too expensive and make Jason think she was a jerk.

Jason held up a hand. “No. Don’t bring her that crap. Bring her one of these.”

“What are you drinking?” she asked.

“Don’t worry. You’ll love it.” He waved the waiter away. “Your profile said you’re a foodie like me, right?”

“I do love to eat.” Shelby must’ve snuck that in her profile after reading his application. She’d never say she loved to eat on a dating site.

“Order whatever you’d like and enjoy it to the fullest. That’s my plan. And then tomorrow, I’ll hit the gym right away.” His eyes drifted away again. As if he was bored with her.

“Yeah, I always have good intentions to work out, but then something always comes up that seems more important.” Like paint a wall or strip wood floors. But that was exercise too.

He looked at her again. “That’s why having a workout buddy is best. For motivation and to keep you honest. You’d be welcome to join me tomorrow. Gotta keep it lookin’ good, right?” Jason beamed the same smile that had looked sexy on his application, but in person, it seemed off. Maybe it was the spray tan in January that made his teeth seem unnaturally white. And his hair had so much product, it didn’t move when it should have. No one could argue that he wasn’t well groomed, though. It looked like his manicure was way fresher than hers. Even his woodsy-scented aftershave smelled expensive.

“The gym sounds fun, but I have plans with my sister tomorrow.” Lori glanced at the menu again, struggling to find something appetizing. And now low calorie and low carb to keep it lookin’ good. “So, Jason. What made you decide to pick our matchmaking service?”

He finished off his second drink. “My parents are eager for me to settle down and have kids. I work for my father’s business that emphasizes clean, family values. I want to keep the old man happy, so I figured I’d give a real relationship a chance. You have a kid, right?”

“Yes.” She nodded absently while desperately searching the ala carte menu for a low-calorie piece of fish. She’d probably add yucky steamed veggies on the side. “Emily. She’s seven.”

“Seven. That’s probably a good age. Still young enough to accept another father figure in her life?” Jason’s eyes followed their waiter as he weaved through the tables. Yearning for their drinks maybe?

“I’d never want to replace her memories of her father, but yes, I think she’d be open to sharing me with another man.”