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She glanced down, read the message. And groaned.
She’d completely forgotten about the blind date she’d agreed to with the brother of her old college roommate. Lyssa had said yes only because she’d been so intent on trying to wash Cal right out of her hair, as the old song went.
She was about to call Gary to cancel. But then she stopped, her fingertips barely touching the phone. This was probably the last date she’d have for the next several years. The very last time she’d feel like a fun-loving girl in the city. And Polly had said her brother was super funny.
She met Gary at a place in the theater district called The Back Door. The alley was well lit and filled with restaurants that catered to the theater crowd. Gary had told her she’d recognize him by the rose boutonniere on his lapel.
Gary Roberts was handsome, tall, blond, and muscular, just the way Polly had described him. When Lyssa waved back, Gary sauntered over and held out his hand to shake.
“Polly said you were gorgeous, and she was right.”
Though she knew it wasn’t fair, it irritated her slightly that the first thing he remarked on was her looks. What if she’d been an absolute mess? Would he have run away? And did he care as much if she was also smart and funny?
“It’s nice to meet you, Gary.” She smiled, though it felt brittle.
He took her hand and pulled her through the crowd in the alley. “I’ve checked us in. There’s a slight delay. Can I get you a drink while we wait?”
“Club soda with a twist of lemon would be great, thanks.”
“What about a glass of wine?”
“No, thanks. I had too much at Thanksgiving. I don’t think I’ll be able to look at a stiff drink for a while.”
Now he probably thought she was an alcoholic. But that was better than thinking she was pregnant. But if he knew that, he would surely call off the rest of their date, and she could go home and curl up on her couch again with the TV remote.
Gary came back with the club soda. “I remember my big party binges at the frat house in college.” He put his hand to his forehead in mock misery.
His name was called, and the hostess led them to the table. The restaurant was packed, and the high ceilings turned conversations into a roar. Their table was café size. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to hear each other.
Gary didn’t open his menu, but leaned close to say, “One time at the frat house, someone brought in a donkey, and we were supposed to play pin the tail on the donkey. Until the donkey kicked one of the guys in the head.” He laughed, then added quickly, “But he was fine.”
She laughed politely. Under other circumstances, she might have found the story amusing. But she was pregnant, and her whole life was changing, and she still didn’t know exactly how she was going to tell Cal. So she didn’t care about frat parties from a decade ago or pinning tails on poor donkeys.
She picked up a menu, saying as nicely as possible, “Maybe we should figure out what we want to eat.” In this crowd, if they weren’t ready when the waiter came back, it might be another half hour before their order was taken.
Gary waved expansively. “Pick whatever you want. Don’t worry about the price.”
She tried for more than a pinched smile. “Let’s go Dutch.”
“No way. Polly would give me the ribbing of my life.”
She leaned forward and said conspiratorially, which was hard to do when she had to shout, “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
He laughed. “My treat anyway, no matter what you say.”
She chose cordon bleu, not nearly the most expensive thing on the menu, and Gary ordered a massive steak.
“That’ll give me leftovers for a week.”
His remark reminded her of the flight to London, when she’d planned to take home the leftover lobster and steak, except that she’d eaten it all.
Which made her think of Cal.
Which made her realize she hadn’t stopped thinking about Cal since the day they’d started working together.
Which made her face the fact that she’d never stop thinking about Cal, no matter what happened from here on out. She’d never again make the mistake of trusting him with her heart. Only a fool would set herself up to have her heart smashed to smithereens a third time.
But convincing her heart to forget what it felt for him?
That would be like discovering all those pregnancy tests were wrong. Wasn’t going to happen.
After the waiter left, Gary said, “Polly tells me you’re an accountant.” He winked. “I thought all accountants were boring.”
“I try not to be.” Once upon a time, she might have said something flirty back. But she was feeling a million miles from flirty. “I work for a nonprofit organization. And I love my job.”
