Read Unexpectedly You for Free Online

and go back to the iPad. Nearly 12:30. Lunch hour. I’m off the clock now and he can’t give me crap for not using “work appropriate” language.
    I hit the power button and set it down on the table. Folding my arms across my waist, I turn to face him head on because I’m not intimidated. Nope.
    “You know… sex. Third date equals sex. It’s like the rules of every relationship, right? First date, you see if there’s chemistry. Second date, you have fun. Third date, you have sex. Once you have sex, you’re exclusive. After all that business, it’s bound to lead to love and marriage.” I shrug. “Or at least, it’s supposed to.”
    He stares at me for the most uncomfortable sixteen seconds of my life. My fingers twitch toward my iPad, but there’s nothing to check off in there yet. “You know your dating life probably shouldn’t be modeled after Sex and the City, right? And before you harass me for watching that show, it was because of my mom.”
    I’m tempted to harass him anyway, but I roll my eyes and try to explain this method in a way maybe a guy would understand. “Okay, you’ve played video games, right?”
    He doesn’t answer, but the look he gives me clearly says “duh.”
    “It’s not necessarily date one, two, and three… it’s more like levels. When you do as much as you can on level one, you level up to number two, right? Well… when the chemistry in the relationship reaches the point of ‘leveling up’ that’s when I take that step. I was just saying it’s usually on date three.”
    “And after level… uh, three… you get to…?”
    “Level four. Commitment, love, the whole package.” I let out an involuntary sigh, then snap my lips shut to stop it.
    “Well.” He leans back again looking both amused and relaxed, making me wonder how I should feel about that. “Seems like you’ve got it all figured out.”
    “Love is important. If you’re going to do it, you may as well do it right.”
    “Hmm.”
    That sound makes me want to take that too-loose tie and strangle him. And because I don’t have the personality to drop anything, I fix the bottom of my skirt and ask, “Hmm…what? You think I’m full of it?”
    “No, just…” He scratches his forehead a few times before shoving his hand through his hair. “How has this dating routine worked out for you?”
    “Well, I’m still single, so obviously, I haven’t gotten to love and marriage yet.”
    “But have you gotten to date number three?”
    “Did you seriously just ask me if I’m a virgin in a roundabout way?”
    “ What? No, that’s not what I meant.” He leans forward, tucking his tie out of the way. That open top button is driving me absolutely crazy. “Has any guy made it past these hoops you make him jump through?”
    It’s not like they’re difficult hoops. I didn’t set fire to them. I’m a fun person when I want to be. It’s not torture to go through two dates before I put out. “Yes.”
    “But, you’re still single.”
    Something flames in my chest, filling my neck and cheeks to the brim. “What are you saying?”
    He shrugs, then starts picking at a cuticle.
    “You think I should be spreading my legs date one, huh?” Typical male psyche. I can’t believe I’m even talking about this with him.
    “Just the opposite actually.” He works on the cuticle on his thumb. “I don’t think any date should have the pressure of sex over it. First, third, tenth, fortieth… none of ‘ em. That part should be natural. Never planned. Makes it awkward. And I bet if you do see a guy after that third date, or after ‘level three’”—he does the air-quote thing—“it’s for a quickie because he’s short on time. I dare you to tell me I’m wrong.”
    Is that why sex is so awkward for me? Is that why they all run after I put out? No way am I letting him know that. I compose my expression because I’m pretty sure my face totally agreed with him.
    He smirks, and damn it, maybe I wasn’t quick