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THE STORY
* * *
EVAN GRACE
ONE
Kara
ONE MORE STEP would mean certain death, or at least that’s what it felt like as I stood outside The Whiskey Bar. Why did I allow my mother to set me up on a blind date? Oh, I know—because for the hundredth time she told me I needed to get back on the horse, after my very short engagement.
Who sleeps with someone the night of their engagement party? Oh, that’s right, Ben did, and with my best friend, no less. That was two years ago and last I heard she got pregnant, and he was already banging someone else—before she even pushed their baby out. I dodged a bullet there, and for her, I say what goes around comes around.
I swear I’m not bitter or unhappy with my life, but I haven’t been very trusting of the opposite sex—which has made it hard to want to date. I honestly think I’ve had two, maybe three dates in the last two years. It’s also been a little over two years since I’ve had sex.
I step inside and let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. Walker is supposed to have blond hair that’s a little long on top. He’s got brown eyes and lightly tanned skin. He is also supposed to be tall and wearing a blue button-up shirt.
Mom met him during physical therapy for a knee injury. He’s her physical therapist and she went on and on how good looking he was. She showed him pictures of me when she told him we should meet. He told her I was beautiful but maybe he just said it because he didn’t want to hurt my mom’s feelings. What if he’s not even going to show up?
Fuck, this was a mistake. I should just turn around and walk out. Nope, I just need to get this over with. It’ll be two hours tops and then I’ll go back to my apartment and binge-watch Schitt’s Creek for the fifth or sixth time.
I look around and don’t see anyone matching Walker’s description, so I make my way toward the back hallway to check myself in the mirror in the bathroom one more time before he gets here—if he shows up.
I set my purse down on the bathroom counter and dig my makeup bag out of it. A couple of swipes of my neutral colored lip gloss, and some powder and I stuff them back in the bag. I run a hand over my sable colored locks—thankful my loose curls still look soft and bouncy. I chose a lavender wrap dress that accentuates my curves, and I have them. My tan wedges make my legs look longer than they are.
I pop a mint into my mouth, sucking it hard and then chewing it up and swallowing it. I take a deep breath and head out toward the hostess stand He’s not here yet—I glance around the bar area and don’t see him.
My phone says he’s five minutes late. I’ll sit at the bar, drink a glass of wine, and if he’s not here when I finish it, then I’ll go home and pretend this didn’t happen. I pull out a stool and sit down, setting my clutch down on the bar.
“Hey, what can I get you?” The bartender comes over to stand in front of me.
“Do you have Moscato?” He nods. “Okay, I’d like a glass, please.”
He disappears and I pick at my thumbnail; it’s a bad habit, I know, but I’m anxious. The bartender sets my glass down in front of me. “Thank you.”
“Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything else.” He moves down the bar to help someone else.
I take a healthy swallow and set my glass down. I stare blindly at the TV because I don’t want to keep looking at the entrance. No need to draw unnecessary attention to myself.
My glass is half gone when I feel someone come up beside me. “Kara?” His voice is velvet smooth and when I turn to face him, I swear my heart stops beating. In front of me is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. “I’m Walker.”
“Uh… hi.” Oh god, I’m speechless right now. Like an idiot, I hold out my hand for him to shake. He smiles and then places