Page 85 of Experiments in Offline Dating

Ha! You all right? Going to step out and call.

Sure. I’m fine. Ordering a starter so I don’t die.

Don’t die. My dad doesn’t give refunds. He’d probably make ME go on the rest of the dates.

I had NO IDEA that was an option!

Wipe that look off your face, Davis!

Tadhg shot me a look across the room, then stood up and moved through the crowd with Finn behind him. People had to clear a path for him, but one look at his rapidly changing expression, and most people stepped aside in a hurry. I was sitting close to the window, and I could see him in the street outside the pub, pacing and gesturing angrily while Finn paced with him and barked in sympathetic annoyance. Ouch. I wouldn’t want to be that guy. Actually, I could remember all too clearly when it was me Tadhg was mad at. Only this time it was in my defense.

Then he was there in front of me, with all the energy of an angry bull.

“That arsehole isn’t coming.” He stood across from me, arms crossed. “Jesus, what a wank stain. I gave him a piece of my mind, make no mistake.” His brow softened. “I’m sorry, Maya. You’re tired and you’ve had a long day, but you made the effort to look beautiful and come out here in goodwill.”

Beautiful? I stared at him. Speak now. Any words will do! “It’s okay.”

“It’s not.”

“I mean, no, it’s not. But I’m way too tired for a date anyway, and to be honest, this is kinda what dating is like these days. I get stood up and ghosted all the time.”

“What?” Back to angry. But on my behalf, I couldn’t help but notice. “Who would do that to someone?”

“You’d be surprised. People match with you online, and they sort of forget that you’re human, you know.”

“Well, that’s horseshit. And I’m sorry it’s happened tonight.”

I shrugged. “Are you hungry? Can we order some food? I’m absolutely starving! All that cycling really worked up an appetite.”

“Yeah. That we can do. Should I”—he gestured to the chair— “or . . .?” He glanced at the bar.

“Oh! Of course! Wait . . . it wouldn’t be, like, a date, though, would it?”

His eyes went wide. So did mine.

My heart kicked up as I looked at him, regretting my lack of filter. But I needed an answer. I was exhausted and hungry, and my social battery was on zero. I didn’t want another date today, and the very last thing I wanted was a postcoital date with Tadhg when I was too tired to be careful with myself. We’d all seen what happened on our last date when I was in full possession of my faculties—Armageddon. God only knew how much worse I could make it today.

Tadhg cleared his throat, uncomfortable. “Oh . . .” He shifted his weight. “Is that what you . . .?”

“No!”

His shoulders dropped. “Great. So, no . . . not a date, then. Just two people eating dinner at the same time, at the same table. Coincidentally.”

“Total coincidence.” I smirked and pushed the chair out to him with my foot. He gave Finn a nod, and she sat next to his chair before he sat down himself, and I realized how small the table was. Our knees jostled for space, and he looked up with a small grin and something in his eyes that did . . . something surprisingly pleasant to my stomach. Which was bad. Very bad.

I squirmed. “I know we still need to have a talk, but could we maybe eat first and talk after? I don’t think I can handle it just yet.”

His brow smoothed and he leaned back, the wood of the chair creaking. “Oh, thank Christ!” He let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. I smirked. “I mean, of course, if that’s what you want, Maya, I’ll do my best to be patient.”

“That’s very understanding of you, Tadhg.”

“Well, now. I’m a very emotionally intelligent man. Everyone says so.”

“Is that because they’re afraid that you’ll pummel them with your giant ham fists?”

A flash of pretty, white teeth. I could remember them biting my neck. “Something like that.”

Finn lay down and rested her head on her front paws, getting comfortable. I was getting comfortable too. Maybe if I could quiet my brain long enough to eat and not think about all of the mess my libido had thrown us into, then maybe, just maybe, this might not be so awkward.