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have a commitment problem. Or maybe I’m just not cut out for long-term relationships.”
    Uncomfortable silence yawns between us.
    “Maybe you just need to try again,” he says quietly before leaving my room. “You and Ella tease me about being a love-’em-and-leave-’em, and let’s face it, I can be. But I haven’t given up hope. Neither should you.”
    Damn Noah for being a nice guy. Determined not to let tonight get to me, as it’s likely one more date that will end poorly, I look for my usual wear. If any guy wants to be with me, he’s going to know what he’s getting.

Chapter 8
    Fumbled Plans
    I’m feeling slightly less confident as I approach Radio Blue in midtown. It’s a novelty restaurant, which would explain why it hasn’t been on my radar. Given that a horde of children just filed in, I’m not thinking this will be a romantic setting. Which is fine. It’s not like I want tonight to be all hot and heavy. But I hadn’t thought I’d be playing Skeeball, either.
    Besides, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been reviewing the night with Ari over and over in my head. Or using Fin as a stand-in for some pretty hot daydreams. So the bright blue neon tubing and cartoon characters on the restaurant’s sign are proving a bit off-putting.
    Not to mention, I wore standard Lux-wear: gun-metal patent leather pants with a cobalt blue silk shell and a close-fitting, black motorcycle jacket, finished off with high-heeled ankle boots and a few silver pieces of jewelry. I went with my hair long and loose, and I toned back my makeup to a subtle eye and peachy pink lips. Tasteful? Practically virginal compared to my usual getups. For Radio Blue—which I suspect has a children’s arcade in the basement—perhaps not.
    He’s waiting for me at the door. When he sees me, his gaze focuses on my face, for which he gets major bonus points, but his awe is evident. “Ye’re stunning,” he says softly, then he leans down and busses my cheek.
    “You’re not too bad yourself.” In truth, he’s stunning as well. He wears a pair of black pants that are probably part of a well-tailored suit, with a deep plum sweater that sets off the green-blue of his eyes. Given that he’d look delicious in a paper bag, I’m challenged to keep my own eyes above his shoulders.
    The noise of the restaurant invades the moment as the doors open to emit a cacophony of children screaming and laughing.
    “This might have been a poor choice,” he comments as we walk towards the door.
    “No, it’s fine.” I shake my head, as I don’t want to make him feel bad. When we step inside, however, a “poor choice” doesn’t even begin to describe it. Synthetic bleeps and loud canned music assault our ears as the bright, primary colored lights of the restaurant flicker in an array of patterns. There’s a huge “exploratorium” to our left, outfitted with countless video game machines, and a restaurant with a bar upstairs. Directly behind us is a ball pit, with small children leaping through a sea of colorful plastic orbs, shrieking with delight and dismay.
    The hostess wears blue furry ears and has whiskers painted on her face. “How many in your party?”
    I glance at Fin, who looks supremely embarrassed.
    “Should we go somewhere else?” When I say nothing, he nods. “We should. Thanks,” he nods to the hostess, and then lets me lead the way out of the restaurant.
    “I’m sorry,” he says as we’re walking out. “I feel like an ass.”
    I chuckle. “This doesn’t bode well for the rest of the evening.”
    At that, he sobers. “I apologize — I dinna know—”
    “No, I’m sorry. That was harsh, and I meant…it doesn’t matter. I apologize.” I pull together a smile. “Let’s start over, shall we?”
    His handsome face shows relief. “Unfortunately, I dinna know where to suggest next, not being from around here.”
    “I think I can come up with something. This way.”
    One of the benefits of living close to the city