VIN

Pressure is a part of business. Working with Fortune 500 companies and some of the wealthiest and most demanding people in the world have made me no stranger to thinking on my feet.

But tonight, this date, feels like the most critical interview of my life. My goal is to convince the most amazing woman I’ve ever met to give me a chance.

As I approach the restaurant, I look down at the navigation on my phone in confusion. There’s a huge neon sign that looks like a pig right where…

Of course.

My hand falls to my side before I glance down at the exquisitely tailored, hand-embroidered linen suit I’m wearing. Inwardly I groan.

Andre is going to kill me if I ruin this. It’s a sample from next season’s line.

“You got me, my little troublemaker.”

She’s probably somewhere getting quite a kick out of the thought of me eating barbecue in a fancy suit. Little does she know I’ve eaten worse things while wearing fancy clothes. I can only wonder if she plans to laugh at my predicament from afar or if she even plans to show up tonight.

Nothing about this girl is predictable and even though I’m the target of her little prank, I can’t deny I love it.

I see her coming and quickly school my expression into one of indifference. The quickest way to lose our little game is to let her know that anything she’s done has actually gotten under my skin.

As she gets closer, my pulse elevates. Her long blond hair falls around her shoulders in natural waves and she appears to have no makeup on at all. Maybe she thought that would matter but seeing her barefaced just makes me want the same view on the pillow next to me tomorrow morning.

Her hazel eyes flash as she stops. “Here we are!”

“Yes. Here we are.”

I was so focused on her laughing eyes that I hadn’t had time to catalogue anything else about her appearance. But when she arches her back, pushing her chest out my attention is naturally drawn to the baby carrier on her chest.

Wait, she has a baby?

“You’re a mom? I didn’t realize. I mean, I p-probably should have asked.”

There’s no hiding my stammer and the triumphant look in her eyes tells me she’s thrilled at finally cracking my resolve.

But I’m not that easily cowed and I actually like kids. Not that I expected her to bring a baby on our first date but we’re already here. We might as well make the best of it.

“Who is this?” I lean closer to peer at the infant and she moves slightly so I can see.

Her movement shifts the child until his head pops out of the carrier like a jack-in-the-box. It has a scrunched up furry face and a mouth full of fangs.

“Holy shit!”

The people around us stop at my loud exclamation and I clap a hand over my mouth.

Ariana smiles prettily. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. Of course. I just meant to say… hello baby. What’s his name?”

“This is Edward.”

As she moves, the baby shifts in the carrier once again so even more of his face is visible. It looks like a gnarled cross between a wolf and a gremlin.

“You take him with you everywhere, hmm?”

“Not everywhere. Just around town. He’s very good company.”

“I’ll bet. Let’s go inside.”

Her surprise is quickly covered with a bright smile. Interesting. So she didn’t even think we’d make it inside. Part of me wants to ask how many men she’s scared away with this demon baby trick. But I can’t be the first one to open that door of conversation.

I want her to tell me.

More than that, I want her to want to tell me.

“There’s no hostess or anything. You just find a seat.” Ariana motions for me to follow along as she heads for a booth in the corner.

Once we’re seated she pulls her baby off her chest and sits him next to her.

I raise my hand to attract the attention of a passing waitress. “Yes, could we get a child seat please?”

She starts to say yes and then her eyes land on the doll next to Ariana. Then they swing back to me before she nods quickly and scurries off.

Ariana bursts out laughing.

“I’m glad you find this so amusing.”

She shakes her head. “I should have guessed you’d just roll with it. Nothing seems to get to you.”

She still doesn’t get it. I’m just happy that she showed up. For the first time ever I’m excited about spending time with a woman. I know what she’s trying to do with that demon doll. I saw her do it that first night at the bar too, with the salt.

She’s used to pushing people away and most men are too focused on themselves to notice or care why she’s doing it.

But I’m not most men.

And I’m not going anywhere.