“I only posted because Natasha demanded it, and if you actually watched, then you know it was merely furniture shopping.” And a little erotic ice-cream eating, but they don’t need to know that. “The whole thing was just a reminder of all the reasons we broke up. I wouldn’t even be talking to him if I didn’t have to.”
“Yeah, it’s bullshit she’s making you do this whole thing, but don’t act like hanging out with Seth Carson, mega hottie, is a total sacrifice.”
My hackles spring to action hearing that descriptor come from Corey, who is at least ten times hotter than I am. “Kindly remember that ‘mega hottie’ is also my ex-boyfriend.”
“Is that argument supposed to help your case?” She grins at me, kicking her legs back and forth.
Tessa clears her throat. “Anyway. Are you all ready for your blind date tomorrow night?”
I prop my elbows on the table and cradle my head in my hands. “If by ‘ready’ you mean ‘totally dreading it,’ then sure. Absolutely ready.”
“Come on, what’s the worst that could happen?” Corey chides.
“I could end up dead and dismembered, my body locked in his trunk?”
“I think it might be time to lay off the true-crime docs.” Tessa smiles at me over the rim of her mug, knowing full well she’s the one who got me hooked on them.
“Also, Seth knows this guy. It’s not like he’s some stranger you met on Craigslist.” Corey grabs one of my pens and starts drumming it on her thigh.
“Do people still do that?” I take the pen from her, placing it on the other side of the table and out of her reach.
“Only people with a death wish.” Corey hops off the table and heads back to her workstation, calling over her shoulder, “Have fun on your date, wear something slutty!”
I turn to Tessa. “Aren’t we not supposed to say the wordsluttyanymore?”
Tessa shrugs with a smile. “She means it as a compliment.”
I lace my fingers together around my coffee mug, tracing the outline of Captain Marvel’s super suit with my thumb. “Have you ever been on a blind date?”
“Oh god no.” Her eyes widen and she takes another quick sip of tea. “Though I’m sure it’s great. Yours is going to be great.”
I blow out an exasperated sigh. “What have I gotten myself into?”
She pushes out of her chair, coming around to give me a side hug. “Just think about how awesome it’s going to be when you’re writing your own column. You’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Grit your teeth, buckle down, and get it done. It’ll be worth it in the end.”
“Assuming my blind date doesn’t kill me.”
“Assuming that.” She blows me a kiss, heading back to her desk. “Text me if you need an emergency bailout!”
—
I show upto Little Dom’s at eight fifteen on Saturday night, not knowing much about blind dates, but for sure knowing I don’t want to get there first. All Seth provided me with was my date’s name, Brian, and luckily that’s enough for the hostess to point me in the right direction.
At first glance, Brian is just a half step below my type. He has fair hair and light eyes, a little too frat boy for my tastes, but he’s dressed nicely, and he stands up to greet me when I approach the table, so I figure he can’t be all bad.
“Brian?” I hold out my hand as he rises from the booth. “I’m Lana.”
He holds back for just a second before launching himself at me in a full-body hug.
“Nice to meet you.” He pats my head, which is currently shoved almost directly into his armpit. “You look great.”
“Thanks, you too.” I extricate myself out of the danger zone, which smells more like Axe than BO, though I’m not sure that’s better. We slide into seats on opposite sides of the booth and I immediately peruse the menu so I havesomewhere to direct my attention. This already feels weird, and that hug didn’t help. What are we even supposed to talk about? I literally know nothing about this man aside from his name. I guess I could ask him things about himself, but where do I even begin? And why am I so bad at this?
Our server, who already has impeccable timing, shows up just as the silence becomes awkward. We order drinks and our food, and suddenly the security blanket of a menu is whisked away and our server abandons me, and we’re left all alone.
Brian flashes what looks like a very forced smile. “So, Seth says you’re a writer too?”
I nod, glomming on to this most basic of conversation topics. “I am. I’ve been on staff atAlways Take Fountainsince I graduated from college.”
