Page 36 of The Dicktionary Club

As I entered the bar, I was approached by a server, who smiled at me.

‘Let me guess, Bella?’ she said, arching a gorgeously sculpted brow.

I had almost forgotten my profile’s fake name till she reminded me, and I nodded back gratefully.

‘There is a man waiting for you in the second booth to the left. Would you like a menu?’

‘No thanks, it’s just a quick drink,’ I replied, walking towards the table.

I suddenly felt nervous. With everything happening in the office, I hadn’t had much time to overthink and feel apprehensive about another date, but now my stomach twisted.

‘Bella!’ Ian said, standing up to greet me. OK, nice, I thought. Ian was dressed in a crew-neck jumper and jeans, looking smart but casual. He did look older but was in good shape, with a perfect smile.

‘Hey, Ian. Nice to meet you,’ I replied, sticking my hand out for a more formal welcome.

‘Please, take a seat. What would you like to drink?’ He had an accent, definitely from the East Coast, Edinburgh most likely.

I suddenly wondered how much Zola had told him about me and if it would be evident that I was repeating myself by asking questions she could’ve already covered through the Tinder messages.Damn, I should’ve at least glanced at them. Rookie error.

‘You look like you need a cocktail.’ He smiled, suavely. ‘Shall I order for you? See how well I know you?’ he added.

I already felt slightly overwhelmed by his over-familiarity. ‘Erm .?.?. No, thank you. A Cosmo would be great, though. I can’t stay long, you see. I have to get back to the office.’

‘Spoilsport.’ He flashed his teeth at me jokingly. Yeah, they were too perfect, I thought, definitely Turkey specials. Then Ian flagged down a waiter. ‘Excuse me, could we order some drinks?’

The waiter took out his pad. ‘Sure, what can I get you?’

‘Cosmopolitan for the lovely lady and a vodka martini for me,’ he replied.

‘Shaken not stirred?’ I joked, and he arched his brow.

‘Precisely!’

‘So,’ I began. ‘Let’s get straight to it, eh? What are you looking for when it comes to dating?’

Ian smiled once again, this time looking taken aback. ‘For a good-looking lady at my side, I guess. To do fun things with, get up to a little mischief along the way, you know how it is.’ He leaned back casually.

God, not another shagaholic!

‘And what about yourself?’

‘I suppose to meet a best friend,’ I replied, knowing that was exactly the kind of sentimental shit most women would say. Well, what Katy would say, anyway.

He darted his head upwards, only just acknowledging my cute statement. I wondered if he was expecting a sexier reply.

‘And would you say you have anything I need to know about?’ I asked him. ‘You know, like, red flags?’

Our drinks arrived, but as the waiter placed them down, Ian whispered, ‘I’ll have another, mate.’

Wow, was I that bad?I thought.It’s early afternoon!

He turned back to me. ‘Hmmm.?.?. sorry, red flags. Very woke! What age are you again?’ He burst out laughing. ‘I’m sorry, Bella, couldn’t resist.’

I screwed my face into a smile.

‘I suppose some women’s red flags will be others’ green flags,’ Ian admitted, gulping his martini more quickly than was perhaps wise. ‘This feels like a job interview, by the way. You seem different in person.’

I blushed.Yep, because you were chatting with my best friend, Ian.

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