Page 20 of Rich Girl
“No, two. I’m meeting someone. She should be here soon.” At least I hope she will be.
The hostess walks me to a small table for two. It gives enough privacy to have a conversation without making it weird, like you’re about to discuss killing people. I make sure to take the side facing the entrance.
I give the hostess Hayden’s name so she knows who to look for out there, then get comfortable. A glance at the time on my phone shows that there are still ten minutes to go before she should be here.
The waitress assigned to our table shows up with menus and a big smile on her face.
“Would you like to order anything to drink while you wait?”
“Just water for now.”
She runs off to bring the water as I get myself more comfortable. Five minutes later, I drank half of it already.
My knee bounces up and down, nerves now taking over. I have to say that I was expecting her to be here a few minutes early. Maybe not as early as I was, but just out of courtesy…
My cell phone dings with a message.
Hayden: I’m almost there, so sorry. I got lost.
I frown at reading that while feeling relieved that she really is on her way here.
Me: No worries. Hostess has your name, and she’ll show you where I’m sitting.
I hitSendand let out a sigh of relief. This experience is a lot more nerve wrecking than I was counting on. In fact, I was not expecting to be nervous at all. It’s supposed to be a pretty straightforward transaction where I’m meeting a hot girl who I am supposed to take to the Cinco de Mayo party thrown by my friends. She already knows this was on a dare. I got nothing more to add to it.
She is supposed to take me to a wedding where she wants to show me off in front of her ex who will also be attending.
But somehow, it just feels like this is more than what it is. Maybe because of the intense attraction I feel toward her despite the fact that I haven’t seen her in person yet. I will admit that her picture did things to me, and even more than that, I really enjoyed talking to her on the phone.
I am so into my own head that I don’t even realize the hostess is walking toward my table. That is why I look up in surprise when I hear her talking.
“I’ll let the waitress know all parties are here.”
She moves out of the way and leaves me staring at the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life.
“Ray,” she smiles at me with confidence. “It is very nice meeting you in person.”
I stand up and shake her hand. “You, too. I’m glad to see you made it.”
My tone sounds slightly critical, and I almost apologize for it, but she doesn’t look phased by it.
“I took the wrong turn as I was walking this way,” she laughs. “Twice! Can you believe it?”
I watch in fascination as she places her expensive looking small purse on the side of the table right before placing her hands in front of her and leaning forward. Her long dark hair falls to perfectly frame her perfectly made-up face.
“So.” When she smiles at me, her eyes sparkle in the dim lights. “I am so happy to meet you in person, Ray Parker.”
The corner of my mouth lifts in half a smile. I hesitate for a second because I get this vibe, like the girl is way out of my league. Her eyes drop to my hands that are resting on the table in front of me, widening in surprise for just a fraction of a second.
“And you are Hayden B,” I tease her. “Is there an actual name that forms after the B? Or are you a celebrity of some sort who goes by their initials?”
My comment throws her off, but she recovers quickly. She pulls her shoulders back in a power move that I’m sure would make lesser men cry.
“Benedict. My name is Hayden Benedict.”
The way she says it, it’s like it should mean something to me.
“Nice,” I nod at her. “Like the pope.”
