I close out of the chat, knowing that it will continue for a while. I need some breakfast and to get ready to spy on my best friend with her non-date, the father of her baby, all the while wanting and wishing it were me who was on a date with her. Hopefully, she will never find out about this stupid fucking idea.
One thing is certain: I need to get my act together, because if Ted charms Lacey, then I may have lost my chance.
Chapter 13
Cole
Ihold my phone in my hand, writing and re-writing a message to Lacey, but whatever I write sounds like I’m making an excuse for my shitty behaviour, so I go for the truth.
Me
I’m sorry I didn’t text you back straight away. There isn’t any excuse…I’m a dick and I’m sorry
The little dots appear to indicate that she’s typing back, and then they stop. I watch the screen like a hawk while I wait for my brothers to come pick me up for our ‘mission’, as Archie calls it. The dots reappear, and then a message comes through; my heart rate picks up.
Lacey
Never thought my best friend would ghost me. That isn’t okay with me, Cole. That’s the second time you’ve pushed me away, there won’t be a third.
FUCK!
Me
I know and I am so sorry. I didn’t know what I was supposed to say to you. I don’t trust this guy, Lacey, not one bit. I think he’s full of shit.
Lacey
You’ve just said it! That insight would have been helpful yesterday, Cole. All I ask is that my best friend is there for me. I’ve gotta go, I can’t back out now, it’s too late. I’ll probably let you know later how it goes.
I swipe a hand down my face and regret every decision I have ever made. This was a stupid fucking idea, and I’ve most definitely made things worse.
I’m just about to call this whole thing off when I hear Archie beeping his stupid fucking horn outside.Good job, this isn’t a covert operation or anything.Rolling my eyes, I gather my things and head downstairs.
Climbing in the car, he turns to me, a giant smile on his stupid face. “You ready?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” I deadpan. He nods and puts the car into drive.
“The others are meeting us there.”
I nod away and look out the window, praying this won’t blow up in my face.
**********
We park across the road from Sandy’s Deli Bar. It’s a nice enough place with a nautical theme, but it isn’t a patch on Irene’s. Irene makes you feel like one of the family when you visit; Sandy’s is more commercialised and run by a bunch of teenagers, it seems.
We all huddle around Archie’s car. “Okay, Cole. Rafe saw Lacey meet DBD outside, and they went in together about ten minutes ago. So I’m thinking they’re probably doing small talk right about now, so we have time to get to them before they get down to it.” He nods furiously. If this situation wasn’t about me, then I’d be laughing my backside off.
“So what do we do?” I ask him.
“I propose that one of us, or two at a push, go in and take a table near them but not close enough for them to see us. Then we can ‘observe’ and report back.” He winks at me as he says the word ‘observe’; he’s such a dork.
Ethan pipes up, “Not a chance. There is no way I am missing out on being in there. Plus, Cole says this guy can’t be trusted, so why the hell are we letting the precious cargo be in there alone?”
“Hmm, that’s a good point. Okay, well, we can do it in shifts?” Archie shrugs, but I shake my head.
“Can we please stop fucking arguing about who is doing what and just get in there?” I’ve already set off walking before they follow, Ethan muttering a ‘for fuck sake’ under his breath.
Archie somehow reaches the door before me and dives in. There isn’t a hostess or anyone waiting to seat you; it’s the kind of place that you can walk in and find your own seat. He moves his head comically, looking for Lacey, but because I’m tuned in to her, I spot her easily in the back corner of the room. DBD has a smarmy smile pasted on his face, and her back is to us.
