Being on a date with Kyle is different from spending time in Enzo’s world. He picked me up in a Subaru with dry mud splatters as if he had been off-roading in the Australian outback. Even his outfit is more relaxed with dark wash jeans and a nice button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He didn’t take me to a fancy place for steak but to grab sushi in the Sunset District, and I like how casual the date has been so far. Instead of wine, we drink Sapporo, and it's an open mic night. So, we’re getting a free show as local talent performs songs in a corner of the restaurant. 

Plus, Kyle is funny, even without trying to be, as he drops another piece of sushi while attempting to grab one with chopsticks. 

“It’s ok to use a fork,” I giggle.

“But then, I can’t impress you with my clumsy chopstick-holding skills.”

“Here…” I pluck a piece of sushi from the plate and reach across the table, offering it to him. 

The corner of Kyle’s mouth twitches with a smile as he leans in while looking me in the eyes. He encloses his lips around the sushi and slowly slides his mouth off the sticks, taking the bite with him. I clench my thighs together under the table. That was hot, and now I can’t stop staring at his lips. 

I miss kissing. 

I might even enjoy it more than sex. 

Perhaps I should refresh my foggy memory on what it’s like to kiss Kyle?

“Feel like walking on the beach after this to watch the sunset?” he asks.

“Yes. That sounds perfect.”

“You’re perfect.” He smiles, and I dart his gaze, trying to hide how happy that makes me as I fuss with the chopsticks, but my heart is purring too much to conceal it. 

If he keeps this up, I might be in trouble. 

We wrap up dinner and head down the road to Ocean Beach to catch the last wink of sun before it crashes into the sea. For the entire drive, we chat nonstop about the series we’re watching and playfully argue about the epic cliffhanger from last season. So far, the date is delightfully easy. No fuss or rude, rich housewives—just me and a cute guy having a good time. 

Kyle takes my hand after we exit the car and helps me over a sand dune, his fingers wrapping my waist while easing me across. Waves slap the shore, and bonfire flames lick the air as college kids drink around them, trying to stay warm. It’s like we’ve stumbled upon a party we weren’t invited to, but Kyle doesn’t let that deter him. He scores a couple of spiked seltzers from someone, and off we go with our beverages in hand.

“Alright, Mr. Cameron. Tonight, you learned I used to dance for the San Francisco Ballet Company but now slum it at Penthouse—”

“You’re not slumming it,” he laughs.

“Well, it wasn’t an upgrade.” 

“Are you kidding? People sell their kidneys to get into that place, but you dance there every weekend and get paid to do it.”

I bite back a smile. “Anyway. What do you do for a living?”

“It’s boring, really.”

“Can’t be that boring.”

“No, it is. I manage our family’s chain of hotels…” He takes a gulp of seltzer. 

“Nice. What are they called?”

He takes another gulp. “The Bungalow Resorts and Boutiques.” 

I nearly choke.

Kyle’s family business isn’t just any hotel chain. They're a well-known luxury chain where people pay good money to vacation. The girls and I spent a few nights in one of their boutique hotels for a bachelorette party in Cabo. They're supposed to be more affordable, yet we still spent an arm and leg. 

“Wow,” I say, wiping the seltzer that dribbled down my chin.

“I… don’t like telling people. They look at me differently afterward.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “I guess they see me as an ATM because they assume I’m rich. I mean, I do have money because I work for my dad, but the business won't become mine until he retires." 

“I think it’s fascinating.” I bend and pick up a white, pearly shell. “I’ve never met someone who owned a hotel, let alone a chain of them.”

“So… dogs or cats?” He picks up a shell, too, changing the subject.

“Cats, but I do love dogs. Just not scary ones like yours.”

“Ralphie?” he laughs. “The guy is a teddy bear.” 

“If you say so.”

“I’ll prove it. Come over, and I’ll show you how sweet he is.”

My heart races at that thought. Alone in Kyle’s apartment. Sober.

“Or we can keep walking this beach and do this,” he says.

“Do what?”

“This…” He takes my face in his hands and kisses me.

It only lasts a few seconds, yet it sets me on fire anyway, and I need more. The wind tousles Kyle's hair as he stares back at me like he’s discovered his new favorite thing. Perhaps I have, too. Behind him, the sunset stains the sky in amethyst as it gives its last breath across the ocean. It's beautiful but not as glorious as this moment. Our lips aren’t fully connected as he carefully skims my mouth, teasing and waiting for me to permit him to go further. Hunger takes over, so I grip his shirt collar, yanking him closer, and swallow the fraction of distance between us. I get lost in kissing Kyle—his taste, his smell, the sound of the waves crashing behind us, and his arms wrapping around my waist…

I think I like him.

A lot.

Yep. I’m definitely in trouble.

◇◇◇

It’s been a few days since I last saw or talked to Enzo. On Saturday, I forgot about him during my date with Kyle, but since then, I’ve been quietly stalking his Instagram posts. I still have no idea what he does for a living, only that he goes on frequent business trips and dinners.

So why didn’t he invite me to NYC?

“Hellooo, earth to Mara.” Anika waves her hand in my face to grab my attention.

“Hm, what?” 

“Did you see that Facebook post earlier about the dead woman found in a dumpster behind the Westfield Mall?”

“Yeah. It’s pretty alarming. My dad gave me pepper spray. He thinks someone is trying to be the next Zodiac.”

“Or Golden State Killer,” Keira says. “Guys, it’s pretty scary. I was leaving the gym last night, and I swear someone was following me!”

“Me too,” Anika says. “But it was early morning while leaving for work, so it was still dark. A man was standing across the street, watching me.”

“Creepy.” Delilah shivers, and I chew my food slowly, thinking about the times I’ve left Penthouse feeling the same way.

“You know what? Let’s talk about something less depressing,” Anika says. “When do you see Kyle again, Mara?”

“I don’t know. He went to L.A. for work and didn’t say when he'll return.”

“Look at you.” Keira snaps. “Dating two rich businessmen.”

“I am not!” I blush and stuff a bite of green enchiladas in my mouth.

Delilah grins a mischievous grin. “Want me to do a deep dive on Kyle?”

“No!” we all bark.

“Alright, fine. Don’t bite my head off.” She looks around. “Where’s our waiter? I want another margarita.”

“Way over there.” Keira points, and we all turn to stare. 

But then our waiter moves aside ever so slightly, and chills spread across my limbs. I whip around to face my dinner again, my back rigid and eyes wide.

“Jesus, Mar. You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Anika says.

“En… Enzo is over there,” I say.

“What!” They all spin their heads to stare at our waiter again.

“Have you heard from him?” Anika furrows her brows.

“No.”

“Aw, Mar.” Keira frowns. “Don’t be sad.”

Delilah snorts, “Yeah, why be sad when you’ve got Kyle to fuck your brains out.”

“Del, why are you so crass?” 

“What?” She stares innocently, then grins. “I mean, he did, didn’t he?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Oh, he definitely gave it to you good, then.” 

“Del!” I bury my face in my palms.

“Ladies.” Our waiter approaches. “The gentleman at table seven has offered to cover your tab and anything else you want to add. Shall I list the dessert specials?” 

My jaw drops. “He did what?”

I peer over my shoulder, and Enzo is chatting with colleagues when his gaze meets mine. He nods, but I turn away like I was caught spying. Why must he look so good in that suit? But more importantly, why didn’t I know he was back in town? 

We order a round of desserts, and when they arrive, I try to enjoy each bite, but my skin tingles with wanting to talk to Enzo. Daring another glance, I spy him heading towards the restrooms. So, I excuse myself and scoot out of the booth before the girls can tease me about where I’m going. Truthfully, I don’t know what I’m doing. Yet, my legs carry me toward my older suitor anyway. I don’t have to pee, so I wait in the corridor, my fingers nervously fussing with the hem of my blouse.

What do I even say to the guy when he comes out? Does standing here give stalker vibes? Am I being an idiot chasing him when it should be the other way around?

And for the love of God, why didn’t he invite me to New York!

“Mara?”

My pacing comes to a halt.

“Is everything ok?” Enzo steps into the hallway, the restroom door closing behind him. 

“Why haven’t I heard from you?”

“I’ve been away. I had to take a redeye flight on Friday night to New York for business.”

“Business?” I huff as if I don’t already know. “Why wasn’t I invited?”

“It wasn’t the kind of trip where I needed you to be there.”

“Then what kind of trip was it?”

“Um…” He rubs the back of his neck, his brows furrowed. “Is everything ok? I feel like I’ve done something wrong, but I’m unsure what.”

I inhale a deep breath to go off, then realize there’s nothing to be furious about. Enzo pays me to be his date. It’s another business deal for him, which I agreed to. Yet, I’m behaving like a jealous girlfriend even though I went on a date with another man. My shoulders slump, and I look down at our feet. Maybe it’s not too late to run away with my tail between my legs?

“Mara…” Enzo lifts my chin. “What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

My cheeks are on fire with embarrassment, so I avoid his eyes as I mutter, “For acting like a jealous girlfriend.” 

“I see.” He cups the side of my face. “I know this arrangement is confusing. So I get it, and I promise this weekend was just a boring business meeting with a potential client. You didn’t miss anything.”

“I went on a date,” I blurt and search his eyes for some form of jealousy in them, but instead, there is only warmth.

“Is he a nice guy?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He smiles, his thumb stroking my cheek. “I like seeing you happy and laughing with your friends.”

“Dating someone else doesn’t bother you?”

“Why should it?”

“Because…” I pause, trying to think of a reason. “What if someone you know sees me out with Kyle?”

“I’m not worried about that. I want you to live your life and be happy.” Enzo leans in and kisses my forehead. “We should get back.”

When he pulls away, it’s like a draft of cold pushes between us, and the warmth of his proximity is gone. We walk side by side through the hallway, our knuckles brushing, and before we re-enter the dining area, he hooks his pinky around mine.

“It was good seeing you, Mara.”

“You, too,” I say.

When he steps away, my body sways toward him, like a subconscious desire to remain in his orbit. But I catch myself, take a deep breath, and return to the table. This crush on Enzo is absurd. He's too old for me. Besides, Kyle is the one I like and who I could have a future with.

“Ready for the movie, ladies?” I slide back into the booth.

“Oh, I am so ready!” Anika says. “Damon is meeting us there.”

Keira playfully pokes her. “So does this mean you two are official?”

“Maybe.” 

“Ooh, ‘Nik has a boyyyyfriend,” Delilah sings.

“What are we, twelve?” Anika laughs. “Can we go before we miss the show?”

“Yes, let’s go!” I grab my purse.

But then, a wild idea hits me. 

So, I go up to our waiter and ask him to pass along a message to Enzo, inviting him to the movies with us. Then, I scurry after the girls and cross my fingers that he shows up.

Why must I play with fire?