Page 45 of 28 Dates

“He’s probably just late, you know. Maybe having a hard time parking.” It’s hard to say that last one with a straight face.

Caitlin’s mouth twists. “Parking on a Sunday?”

“Okay. So that’s a stretch. Talk to me, do you like this guy?” It’s like eavesdropping in middle school when you could do a three-way call, hiding yourself on the line, while your best friend asked your crush if she likes you back. It’s smarmy and the taste of sour milk curdles in my stomach. I’m not entitled to these thoughts of hers.

She drags her fingernail around the rim of her glass. She always has her nails painted, saying pedicures and manicures are one of her few indulgences. Tonight her fingernails are a bright teal color.

“I’m not really sure.” She shrugs, and her eyelids flutter before her eyes meet mine. They’re green like the glass, darker now from the soft bar lighting, but I’ve seen those eyes light up in a variety of shades over the years. “He’s different, hasn’t really given me a lot of himself, but I don’t know. There’s something…” Her finger taps the glass before she grips it and brings it to her mouth. “It’s weird talking to you about this.”

It’s even weirder hearing her talk about me and not know it. But this might be good news. It surprises me that she keeps returning messages when I’ve been elusive. Maybe she recognizes the connection between us even if she doesn’t know it?

I lean forward with my arms on the bar, spinning my beer glass in a circle in my palms. “Well, if you want company, I can hang out until he gets here.”

She glances around the restaurant. “It’s slow tonight. You wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course not, Caty. Tucker can handle this. Now, would you like anything to eat or a real drink?”

She smiles, and it’s that smile that shoots straight to my dick like it always has. So unencumbered, easy, and light even though she’s still disappointed. She tilts her head toward the stool next to her. “Get over here and sit. I’ll wait on food and drinks.”

“Anything you ask, m’lady.” I bow dramatically, smiling as she laughs.

“You’re an idiot,” she says, still laughing.

Behind me, Tucker booms, “You don’t know the half of it, woman.”

I turn to refill my beer, giving him my bestshut the fuck uplook, to which he winks. Then I head around the bar and grab the best seat in the house.

The stool right next to Caitlin.

Chapter 16

Caitlin

Michael:I’m so sorry. Got a flat tire and can’t make it.

Michael:Sorry I didn’t message you earlier.

Great. It’s been so long I’ve been on a real date, I don’t know if I’m being stood up or if he’s being truthful. Michael is enigmatic at best, but he didn’t hesitate to want to see me.

I sigh. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt this time.

Caitlin:Sorry to hear that. Raincheck?

His response is immediate.

Michael:Yes. As soon as possible.

I tuck my phone into my purse.

It’s been twenty minutes since I strolled into Dirty Martini’s, less than that since Jonas took the stool next to me. Ten minutes since I’ve forgotten to be annoyed with my date standing me up in the first place. Being with Jonas is too much fun, and so familiar.

There are only two occupied tables in the restaurant, a gay couple who are on martini three and getting more handsy by the moment, and a table of four women in my favorite semiprivate booth. More than once Jonas and I have called Tucker over to tease him about which girl he wants to take home for the night.

He’s at their table now, one hand on the back of the booth, his other hand on his hip, smiling down at all the women who are practically drooling for him. If they think he’s hot, I wonder if they’d find him even more attractive if they learn he’s studying to be a marine biologist.

For a young guy, he’s got looks, manners, smarts, and a really freaking decent head on his shoulders. Plus, he can mix a mean martini. Tucker is essentially the perfect guy.

He heads back to the bar, shaking his head, and if I’m not mistaken, his cheeks are slightly pink. It can’t be from the heat because with the bar being so empty, it’s still a bit chilly in here.

---