He escorted me to his truck, opening the door and helping me step up into it. “So, where are you taking me?” I pried.
Kaden smiled. “That’s for me to know, and you to find out.” He ensured I was in and shut the door. I couldn’t help but giggle as he appeared to scurry around the front of the truck to hop in, not leaving me to my own devices for too long.
The ride to the restaurant was silent, which left me feeling slightly concerned. Should I have tried to initiate a conversation? I know I'm nervous, but maybe he is too?
Pulling up to the restaurant my stomach growled, breaking the silence. “Good thing you're hungry,” Kaden chuckled.
My eyes grew wide. “Endless Kai.” I had heard some of the other gym goers talk about this place but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “I can’t wait to try it!”
When we got inside, there were rows after rows of buffet tables complete with what felt like a million different varieties of sushi. Toward the back, I could see a few hibachi tables set up with guests oo-ing and ah-ing over the flames and one kid attempting to catch a shrimp in his mouth. I couldn’t help but giggle as it smacked him right in the middle of his forehead.
Off to the right, there was a row of decadent dessert options. Kaden even pointed out a build your own sushi counter.This place is immaculate.
“This way please.” The host showed us to our table, which was off in a more intimate section of the restaurant. The backs of the booths met the ceiling, and there was a curtain we could close on the outside of the booth for a private dining experience. “Your server will be with you shortly to get your drinks.”
Kaden nodded at the host. “Thank you.” This man was going to send me over the moon simply by having manners. I laughed at myself realizing how crazy it sounded.
When I looked up he was staring back at me with a raised brow. “Care to share with the class?” He winked and I melted all over again.Keep it together, Val.
“It’s nothing, really.” I cleared my throat and quickly changed the subject. “Have you ever been here before?”
Of course he’s probably been here before. I shook my head.Why would I even ask that?
The server broke the awkwardness by coming over and getting our drink orders. He ordered water while I decided on unsweet tea with lemon.
I heard Kaden sigh. “I’ve been here a couple of times. Once with Arlo and,” he paused, “once with my ex.”
“Oh.” I felt bad for bringing up a question which could make him think about or bring up his ex. She appeared to be an equally sore subject to him as talking about James was to me, so I understood. “Shall we?” I stood up quickly, ready to go load up a plate with some sushi. I wasn’t sure how or if he knew it was one of my favorite food groups but he was sure to figure it out by the end of the night.
Plus, this gave us a chance to change the subject without being all awkward too.
I made it back to the booth right before he did and got myself all situated, practicing with the chop sticks a few times to give myself a little refresher on how to use them. I was nevergoodwith them, but I could fake it til I made it with ease.
Kaden slid into the booth sitting across from me and he shut the curtains. Something about that made the entire experience feel sexy and almost illegal. “So, Val. Tell me something about yourself no one else knows.”
Twenty
Val
I immediately reached over and grabbed my glass of tea and gulped it down. Kaden was staring at me with curiosity dancing in his eyes and I felt myself begin to panic. “You just get right down to it, don’t you?”
“I want to know you.” He gave me a devious smile and paused. “That’s all. It doesn’t have to be your deepest and darkest secret.”
I knew I was going to have to share my past with him eventually if this was something I wanted to make work, but on a first date? That felt quick. “Are you one of those guys who only dates with the intention of marriage?”
He laughed nervously. “Perhaps you haven’t heard about my relationship with Isabella. Shedidleave because I wasn’t ready to commit.” Kaden stared blankly over my shoulder, lost in thought.
“Do you think you could ever be ready?” The words slipped out without even thinking and I immediately hoped I hadn’t offended him.
Kaden pursed his lips together. “For the right person, I could be.”
What did that mean? Was he indicating he thought I could be his person? Do I want to be? Am I overthinking this? Yes, yes I am. Probably because I want him to be the person for me. The reality of the thoughts racing through my mind began to freak me out. The things this man made me think and feel were insane and totally not my norm. The control he had over my mind was insane. “What does the right person look like to you?”
He smirked and gazed into my eyes. “Since you’re clearly trying to change the subject, why don’t you answer my question first. For each thing you tell me, I will give you one answer to what my right person could be.”
Shit.
Apparently the look on my face clued Kaden into my internal struggle. Or he’d been fighting for so long he has learned how to read people in every way imaginable. “Let’s start with, what is the real reason you moved to Colorado?”