Page 42 of The Disasters of Dating
Mr. Grubber casts a lazy eye over his shoulder at me as they move toward the conference room doors. “Do you have an assistant that I should work through?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. We’re in the process of hiring our staff right now. I’ll send that information when it happens.” I’m guessing they researched Evan and, most importantly, his net worth. Otherwise, I know this meeting would never have taken place considering how small and new Noveani Technologies are. Most big-name law firms would not have given us the time of day. But Evan is not without his clout—even if that only comes because of his hundreds of millions of dollars.
The men move through the door, and I watch through the glass walls as they wait at the bank of elevators.
An assistant. I probably should have one of those. But we are limited on all staff right now. I add it to my mental list of things I need to speak with Evan about. If I’m going to be spearheading multiple projects for him, I’m going to need some help. Even if it’s just organizing my schedule.
Dan pops his head into my office. “Hey, I’m going to dinner with a group of friends. I wondered if you wanted to come along? Maybe meet some new people? With as much time as you’re spending here, it might be nice if you had some friends outside of work.”
It’s nice of him to offer, but I’m not sure I agree with him. New Hampshire is my home and where most of my friends are. I have a few others spread across the country that I met through college. But all in all, I think I’m pretty set on the whole friends thing. I smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I have plans tonight.”
He gives me a skeptical look. Yes, I may have told him that before, when my plans entailed going to the hotel and binge-watchingParks and Rec. He can judge me if he wants. My life feels alittle crazy right now. I’m living out of a suitcase more than I’m not. And sometimes I want a dark, quiet room over a loud and busy restaurant or bar. I should probably tell him I have a date tonight, but it’s none of his business.
He gives me a pitying look. “Okay. Well, if you change your mind, we’re going to Madigan’s. We’ll make sure to save a space for you on the off chance you decide to come.”
I smile and release a slight chuckle. “Thanks, Dan. I appreciate you trying to socialize me.”
“I think you might enjoy your time here better if you had some friends.”
I nod. “You may be right. And if it makes you feel better, I have plans with a friend tonight.”
His brows go up. “Really? You can bring him along.”
I pretend like I’m considering his offer, which I’m not. I don’t know Poppy well enough to subject her to people who are only acquaintances of mine. I mean, I know I invited her to come hang out with them last week. But let’s be honest, I was only using them as an excuse to invite her into a non-universe doomed dinner. But now that she doesn’t seem convinced that the universe is trying to keep us apart, I see no need to bring the co-workers into the date…or not date. I need to quit thinking of it that way.
“They’re deciding on the restaurant.” Yes, I’m keeping it purposely vague and perhaps leading Dan to believe it is a guy that I’m meeting. I saw what happened last time when I mentioned Poppy was a woman. We don’t need to go there again. “I still don’t know the area very well. My guess is we’ll end up at a sports bar or something so we can watch the game. I’ll mention your offer, but we may need to take a raincheck.”
Is it bad I’m hoping she picks someplace outside of the greater Lehi area? The last thing I need is for us to see these guys while I’m out with Poppy.
My phone vibrates, and I glance over at it. It’s a text, but I’ll take the diversion. I give Dan a chin lift. “I’ve got to take this. But thanks again for the offer.”
He returns my chin thrust and disappears down the hall.
Well, well. It’s a better text than I imagined.
Poppy
Okay. I’m thinking maybe we meet halfway between the two of us? There is a place called La Vie en Fromage. It’s in Draper. Is 6 too early to meet?
I close the texting app and open the search engine, typing in thename of the restaurant to find out how long it will take me to get there. The pictures on the website look delicious, and my stomach growls at the thought of eating there. And maybe a little because I haven’t had lunch yet. It looks like it’s only about twenty minutes away.
Nope! I should be able to wrap things up in plenty of time to meet you there.
I let out a breath, relieved that we will be far enough away that I don’t worry about bumping into Dan and his friends.
Poppy
Great! I’ll meet you there! And remember, I’m paying this time.
I grin. While I’m kind of old-fashioned in thinking the guy should pay for a date, this one isn’t a date, so I’m going to chill out about it.
See you at 6!
Man, suddenly my stomach is alltwisty-turvy. Like, I’m nervous…but I’m not nervous, am I? I mean, why should I be? I smirk to myself. Maybe because the last time I went to dinner with Poppy, I nearly maimed her and made her look like she’d been in a rather serious car accident. But surely that won’t happen again, right?
CHAPTER 15
POPPY
