At four-thirty, I'm ordered to have a seat where Jude can keep an eye on me, in case I get cold feet. He is taking his promise a little far.
The door chimes, and the first thing I notice is a familiar blue hat. In the past two weeks, I've decided Beau may not be the friend is hoped he'd be. Friends don't let friends spill their guts and not talk to the person again. I turn and hope he doesn't notice me sitting near the coffee counter.
A few minutes pass, and I heave a sigh of relief. I really hope he’ll leave soon, before my date shows up.
I hear him speaking in low tones to George who points over to me. I shrink further into my seat. Shit, shit, just shit! George thinks he's being helpful when he tells Beau right where I am.
I slowly rise and excuse myself, “I have to use the bathroom.” Jude nods probably thinking I'm freshening up before Nate arrives.
I walk across the room slowly in order to keep my heels from clicking. It’s all for naught, because Beau strides right to me. Damn it, George. I stop mid step. My boot heel clicks loudly as it drops.
He looks me up and down. He closes the distance between us and smiles. I almost forget I trusted him with something very private, almost forget he's hasn't acknowledged me for two weeks.
"Hot date?" he asks bending close and sounding like he knows the answer is a solidno.
"Yes," is my only response. It surprises him. He looks intently at me like he's trying to spot a bluff.
He doesn't say a word. He doesn’t need to.
A man walks up and introduces himself to me as Nate.
Inwardly I'm elated. I've managed to surprise him, even if it's only because he'd assumed I couldn't get a date.
