My Favorite Distraction (Distraction #1) Read Online Free Page B

still not sure you won’t renege on our bet.” He took the menu from the server and ordered waters.
    “Do you want something else to drink?” he asked me.
    I shook my head no. I felt weird sitting in the corner with his focus on the server. His phone rang again, and he got it out and handed it to me. He gestured for me to take it, so I did.
    I answered , “Hello?”
    “Um, hello , I was trying to call Jason. Is this his phone?”
    “Yes, he handed it to me; he is ordering dinner or something.”
    “Are you Katie?”
    I was surprised by the fact that he knew my name. “Uh, yes, and you are Dave?” I could tell by his lack of comeback he was even more surprised by me guessing his name. “Uh, hello?”
    “Where did you and Jason meet?” I fought the urge to giggle at his interrogation.
    “I have been staring at him for three months in a coffeehouse.” It sounded silly, like I was in high school.
    “Who talked first?”
    “What? I am not sure it makes a difference.” The whole conversation was childish and I didn’t understand the relevance of any of it.
    “Katie, it most certainly makes a difference. I am looking at your picture , and I am not sure I could have waited one day to talk to you, let alone three months.”
    “I talked first. I said hello.” I could feel Jason staring at me, so I peered at him.
    “Dam n.” Dave spat out.
    “Dave , did you lose the bet?” He was quiet, so silent I thought he hung up the phone.
    “You knew about the bet?” he finally questioned.
    “Well , I just heard about it on the way to the restaurant. I want to let you know I promised him I would do whatever he needed to win all the bets he has with you regarding me.”
    “Dam n,” was all I heard him say as I handed the phone back over to Jason. Jason said a few things and then was off the phone.
    “I have never made a girl run, so no is the answer to your question.” His voice loud and deliberate, it startled me. I saw his eyes drop from mine to my shoulder , where the black shawl had fallen, exposing my skin. His look gave me goose bumps. I liked the way his face held so many unspoken words.
    “What are we talking about?” I laughed nervously, busing my hands around me. “Before we left the Jeep, you asked if I like to make my girls run. No, some I wanted to run, but you are not one of those girls.”
    “That day at the coffeehouse when you were yelling into your phone, was that one of those girls?” I asked out of morbid curiosity. I wanted to know what angered him. Why is he upset with her and always so calming to me?
    “Yes, that was Bettina, my good friend’s sister. I dated her for a while , and it didn’t end well.”
    “Did you end it?” I pried, wanting to know more. Wondering about his outburst for months and needing to find comfort that his anger was justified.
    “I did , and she is still unhappy about it. I have stopped speaking with my friend and have changed my numbers, but she still gets to me.”
    “What do you mean, she gets to you?” I wasn’t sure if she physically reached him or reached him in his thoughts. Either way I wasn’t sure I wanted my hot coffeehouse guy to have this girl under his skin.
    “We dated for three years . We had an angry and unhappy relationship. It was always a game with her. She would make me really mad…furious, and then I would say, and do things I normally wouldn’t. She still gets to me, meaning I get mad even talking about her. That day in the coffeehouse, she had stolen my wallet. When she called, she was laughing. She was putting my credit cards through a shredding machine. She liked the way we were; I was so tired of it. She required a unique style of relationship to complete her.” I could tell he was being very vague, but he was also being very honest. His choice of words piqued my interest, but who didn’t live a unique life style?
    “So you don’t like her?” I confirmed.
    “No .”
    “Can I ask you something…personal?” I watched