Date in the Dark by Jami Wagner Read Free Book Online Page A

close to me.”
    Her breath picks up, and with my finger I
tilt her chin until she’s looking into my eyes again. Instantly
they start searching for something. When she’s found what she was
looking for, her lips part slowly, calling my attention to
them.
    Her eyes close and I’d be a fool to not to
take my chance. I can feel her breathing against my lips when
suddenly my whole body is shoved away.
    “Bell! Down!” Kelly comes screaming out the
front doors of the apartment building. “I’m so sorry!” She keeps
yelling as she runs toward us. Bell jumps up once again and hits me
with her front paws. Being the full size dog she is, I take a step
back and slip on a patch of ice, falling to the ground. Allie
releases a small scream and then covers the laughter with her
hand.
    “Bell!” she says, moving her hand quickly
then putting it back over her lips. The dog responds instantly to
her voice and wags her tail until she’s in front of Allie. “Sit,”
she says, and Bell complies, looking at me from her spot with a
proud gleam in her eye. Not that I was worried, but at least I know
Allie is safe with this dog.
    “Oh my gosh! Are you okay?” Allie reaches out
to help me.
    Both women are now laughing at me as I push
myself off the ground. Brushing the snow and dirt off my pants, I
make my way toward Allie. Kelly is still standing silently from the
sidewalk.
    Once we’re toe to toe, I look into her eyes.
All hints of happiness leave and a heated look fills its place. I
reach up slowly and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
    “Goodnight, Allie. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I
whisper, press my lips to her cheek, and then get in my truck. With
a glance in my rearview mirror, my heart pounds at the sight of
Allie watching me drive away.
    Now, let’s get this date night over with.
     
     

Chapter Seven

    Allie
     
    “Welcome, everyone!” A woman’s perky voice
fills the room with a tone louder than normal. “My name is Liz, my
husband and I own The Blind Date Restaurant Bar and Grill, and I’m
excited to have you all here tonight. Can everyone hear me
alright?”
    The room fills with a variety of tones
replying “yes” and my body jumps when the person who I assume is at
my table joins in on the reply. His voice is deep and I get the
chills like I’ve heard it before, but I can’t place it. From the
coffee shop maybe? Or the deli across from the library? I shake the
thought from my head. The chances of me actually knowing my date
are about as good as him being the one .
    It’s probably just my body being on high
alert after the moment I had with Parker tonight. It was hot. He’s
hot. The mood he put me in doesn’t even have a name. It’s better
than eating as much chocolate as I want without gaining a pound.
Whoever this gentleman across from me is, he’s one lucky guy to get
me in this type of mood. I take a deep breath. No more thinking of
Parker. This mysterious guy in front of me deserves my full
attention.
    Crap . What if I need to use the
restroom?
    My head twists in all angles and I blink a
few times, willing my eyes to adjust even a little to the darkness.
I can’t see a thing in this room. How am I going to know where to
go? I’m definitely going to break something.
    “Great!” the loud woman’s voice continues.
“First off, I’d like to thank all of you for turning your mobile
devices off. I think it’s amazing you’ve decided to take this
journey. Dating in the dark is a great way to heighten your senses.
Each of you will become more aware of your surroundings, and the
dark lets you get to know a person on a deeper level. One I hope
you’ll find more alluring than appearance. Now, I do hope that each
and every one of you will continue to see each other after these
three short evenings, but until then, now is your chance to get to
know one another.”
    I hear someone clap and assume it’s Liz
because her voice gets higher as she continues to speak.
    “Each night there will be