Page 37 of 28 Dates

I told Tucker about my plan a few nights ago. I was in a surly mood, and he called me out, which sucks to have an employee like him so damn smart. He also called me an idiot then, so tonight he’s mostly thought this whole damn thing is fucking hilarious.

“Acting like a caveman doesn’t make you the better man, you know?”

“Shut up, Tucker.” I turn to the next customer, strung tight and now pissed off because I was just called out for acting like an assagain. “What can I get for you?”

The woman’s eyes widen with surprise, and damn it, the kid is right.

“Sorry.” I run a hand through my hair and wrap it around my neck, taking a deep breath. “How can I help you?”

The woman’s shoulder slumps, and she still looks uncertain at being so close to me. Awesome…I’ve just come across as the exact kind of guy I’ve pegged Caitlin’s date to be.

It might be possible he’s a nice guy, and I’m turning into the jealous asshole ex. Cool.

“Um…do you make cosmos?” she asks, and she looks at Tucker, like maybe she’d rather order from him instead. Can’t blame her. My muscles are tight, and my jaw aches so bad I’m certain I still look pissed.

“Yep. Just one?”

“Three, please.”

“Got it.” I try to flash her a friendly smile, but when it feels like I’m snarling at her, I stop.

Make the drink. Do the job. Deal with my own bullshit later. They’re now the top three on my to-do list. I focus, pushing everything except the customers in front of me out of my mind, and it works fantastically.

I can see both of their profiles from the table where Caitlin is sitting, and every time I look over, one of them is talking. They’re smiling or laughing. He hasn’t made a move except to come to the bar to order two more rounds of drinks, and on the last one, he grabs a glass of water for Caitlin.

I eye the drinks like a hawk all the way back to their table, but that’s all I do.

I promised Caitlin this place would be safe for her, and it will be, even if I have to stay away to make me a man of my word.

The water glass is a nice gesture, and I catch Tucker’s raised eyebrows as he looks at me.

Maybe Iammore of a jealous dick than he’s a jerk.

It’s closing in on eleven, the bar is packed three rows deep, and that doesn’t include the full tables. The bouncer at the door has talked to me via an earpiece saying the line is about two dozen people long, and our third bartender, Lacy, has finally shown up when the guy Caitlin’s with stands from the table and offers his hand to her.

Shit. They’re leaving.

I’m close to the register, ringing up a round of drinks, and as soon as I’m done, shoving tips into a jar by the bar, I get lost in grabbing another round of beers for a handful of men.

It’s only after I’m done cashing them out that something strikes me.

“Yo, Tuck. Lacy. That guy with Caitlin pay?”

Tucker’s head whips toward the door, and who knows what he’s fucking looking for, because Caitlin is long gone. He glares at me. “We’ve got this. Maybe they’re still out there.”

I’m already moving, but it’s nice to know we’re on the same page. It takes me what feels like forever to shove through the crowd, and by the time I’m outside, my shirt is slick with sweat and sticking to my back.

“Shit,” I groan.

There’s a line outside, pedestrians strolling down the sidewalk. I glance left and right, trying to figure out if the guy and Caitlin are outside, or if I can see them heading toward Caitlin’s apartment a few blocks away.

And, fuck…not what I want to be thinking about.

“Went toward the alley.”

I whip around and face Andy, one of the weekend bouncers. “What?”

“Saw her come out. Headed around the corner. Been keeping an eye out as much as I can.”

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