Pick me up 7.
Much to my relief three little dots pop up immediately.
Thank goodness, I can breathe again.
You get ONE date, Reyer.
That’s all I need.
With quick touch-ups from my emergency kit, I finish off with a rosy gloss to my lips right at 6:45.
Our dinner rush is officially in full swing, and while I prepped our managers tonight that I was leaving, I’m hoping I can slip out with no questions from a certain bartender.
Not that I want to hide Adam…with his size and looks, that’d be next to impossible, but seeing if we even make it to a second date will need to come first. The probability of me finding something to be turned off by Adam tonight isn’t zero. Odds feel very low, but still.
Grabbing my coat, I lock my office and head to the front, knowing I have four minutes to get to the sidewalk before Adam walks into the bar. In reality, that would be more than enough time, but I might have made myself too much of a hands-on owner because I get stopped not once…not twice…but four times.
Truthfully, I love it. I like being the reliable head of this ship, but tonight I redirect them all to their completely capable managers.
I did indeed have to verbally say that out loud earlier in my office before telling them I was leaving. I wholeheartedly believe it, but also I feel like no one can do a job quite like I can.
But it’s a part of being a good boss, right? Letting go sometimes?
Again, all a big pep talk in the mirror.
The moment my feet step out onto the sidewalk, I check my phone to see the time go from 6:49 to 6:50. And just as I anticipated, I find Adam walking up to me with that damn adorable smile on his face.
Holy hell.
You know what’s more attractive than a tall muscular man with a seemingly great personality? One with all that and a sense of style. Adam’s wearing brown corduroy pants with a cream sweater and a dark green cargo jacket.
“Bailing on our date already, Mia?” Adam asks with a teasing tone as he walks up to my right.
A cool breeze blows from behind him, and while I could blame that on the chill that runs through me, it carried the scent of whatever cologne he’s wearing with it. I couldn’t tell you a single hint of what it is, but it smells so good.
Pulling at the sides of my coat, I tie the belt off. “If I wanted to do that, I would have left five minutes ago.”
This sexy grin tugs at his mouth. He takes a small step closer. “I’m not as predictable as you think. Let me show you just how unserious I can be.”
“Well, by all means, lead the way.”
When we get to his car, he is ever the gentleman, opening my door first. When he gets to the driver’s side, he doesn’t put anything into his GPS or give me any hints of what he’s got planned. He simply gives me a wink then pulls out onto the street.
“So, where are you taking me exactly? Should I be worried?”
Adam chuckles then turns at the next red light. “We’re not far. If it wasn’t so cold, we probably could’ve walked.”
Hmm, my brain starts to go block by block surrounding Winedown. I know there’s another bar down the road that Jensen sometimes talks about going to with the guys that has pool tables, but it’s the other direction, so that can’t be it.
“Are you trying to figure it out?” he asks as we go down another block.
“Yes,” I respond without hesitation. “I’ve lived in Boston my whole life. Not to mention made myself deeply familiar with every competing restaurant in a five-mile radius.”
Adam chuckles softly as he takes another turn. “I don’t doubt that for a second, but I’m not taking you to a restaurant, Mia.”
“I don’t mean to sound like a brat, but you think a date with no food is going to end well? You have a sister—I know you know a hangry girl and the damage we can cause.”
“Never said there wouldn’t be food there.” He tilts his head to me for a second, giving me this sexy smirk before looking back at the road, then turning into a parking lot.
