Page 46 of In It to Win It

Those guys are my best buds. They’ll totally understand if I bail on them. I just want to get this lunch over so everyone else leaves and I can corner Taylor and . . .

“I have a date tonight,” Everly says.

“Oh!” Taylor leans forward. “That’s awesome. Who with?”

“Dan Diaz.”

I frown. “Isn’t he the mayor of Santa Monica?”

“Yes.” Everly flicks her hair back.

Taylor’s eyes pop wide open. “You’re going out with the mayor?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t he like sixty years old?” Harrison demands.

“He’s not that old.” Everly gives him a derisive look.

“Way older than you.” He scowls.

“So?” She lifts one shoulder. “I like older men. They’re more mature.”

She grew up with a dad who was forty-something when she was born. Wonder if that has something to do with it. Ha. Look at me being an amateur psychologist. What the hell do I know.

“Wow,” Taylor says. “I hope it goes well.”

Our eyes meet and I can see she’s uncertain about this too. We share a look of understanding. Warmth spreads through me at the feeling of connection.

Our server brings our food and we pause our conversation for a moment.

“How about you, Taylor?” Everly asks when the server has left. “What are your plans tonight?”

I perk up. I could even suggest something right now if it works out right . . .

“I’m going out for dinner.” Her eyes flicker in my direction as she unrolls her cutlery from the paper napkin.

Everly flicks a glance my way, her mouth tightening. “Oh. Who with?”

“A guy I met online. Anthony.”

I freeze. Anthony? What the fuck?

“You’re seeing him again?” Everly leans forward.

“This’ll be the third date.” Her eyelashes flutter again. “We met for drinks one night, and he took me to the hockey game the other night.”

Fuck! I curl my hands into fists beneath the table, staring at my food.

“Oh.” Everly sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, sliding her eyes my way again. “Well. That’s . . . good.”

Tension flows off me in waves. I don’t think Harrison is picking up on it, but clearly Everly and Taylor are. Taylor keeps shooting me jumpy glances.

Thank fuck I didn’t ask her out. I close my eyes, imagining being shot down in front of everyone.

“So, uh, where are you going?” Everly asks.

“Delgado.”

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