“So, what have you got planned for the big date?”
“Claridge’s for dinner.”
“No. Next option.”
“What? He said he liked burgers, and they do a great one.”
“Yeah, for about a hundred quid. I suspect your guy would be happy with McDonald’s.”
“Okay, I have to draw the line somewhere. I am not taking someone on a date to McDonald’s.”
“Five Guys?”
“No fast food. I want a sit-down meal, so I can get to know him better.”
“I thought you’d want to top your three times in one night.”
“That’ll come later. First, I just want to impress him.”
“Why?”
“Come on, Patrick, look at how you wooed George.”
“That was completely different. George was a brat who needed to be taught how to behave. Charlie sounds more like an equal. Or do you see yourself as his superior?”
“Not at all. He’s an equal.”
“Okay. Well then, where would you take an equal for dinner?”
Sebastian thought for a minute. If it was someone his own age, or a guy in New York, he’d probably just do something like they were doing now: a nice pub which served great food. But he couldn’t take Charlie somewhere like that. He had to have looked Sebastian up by now, and he’d have expectations.
“You’re overthinking,” said Patrick.
“I just think he’ll expect more than a gastropub.”
“A gastropub is perfect. I know a couple which would work. What else are you planning?”
“I got tickets for a show.”
“VIP box?”
“Fuck off.”
Patrick laughed. “Does he even like the theatre?”
“I don’t know.”
“Look, keep it simple. Dinner in the pub and back to the hotel for dessert.” He smiled, waggling his eyebrows.
“Never do that again.”
They both laughed. Patrick was right. Sebastian needed to keep it simple. He wanted to get to know Charlie and they couldn’t do that when they were distracted by a show. Plus they’d already slept together. He didn’t need to pretend he was a gentleman, especially after the way Charlie had demanded that kiss in his office.
It was lunchtime on Friday, but Sebastian was determined to finish going over the financial reports so he didn’t have to look at them again in the afternoon. He wasn’t sure he could get through another twenty-nine hours until his date with Charlie, not that he was counting or anything. His office door was open, but he looked up when someone tapped on the door.
He was stunned when he saw his sister, but quickly pulled himself together and rushed over, pulling her into a hug.
“What are you doing here?”