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“He did. Wants to take me out to dinner somewhere.”
“You are being way too calm about this.”
“What am I supposed to be?”
“You could try being more excited. I’d be bouncing off the walls.”
Lesley put the label from the beer on the table. “I am. I mean, I’m nervous. My last date was, well, you know.”
“Boring as shit. I remember.”
“He was nice.”
“Nice. Nice is fine. You don’t need nice right now. You need some heat and smolder. This guy is made of that.” Stina winked. “You need to get you some of that. Shove him down on the couch, floor.” Stina waved her drink around. “Wherever, and get down to business.”
“And they were never allowed in the restaurant again,” Lesley droned. “It’s only a date.”
“I saw how he looked at you.” Stina looked over the lip of her glass and raised her eyebrows. “And I saw how you looked at him.”
“How could I not?”
“Very true. Only a date, my ass. So, when is this date?”
“This weekend.”
“Make sure you’ve got some protection.”
“I’m not screwing him.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“I—” Lesley paused. “I just don’t think it’ll happen.”
Stina grinned at her. “Well, that’s your decision to make. Though you should wear your fancy underwear, in case you change your mind.”
Lesley flicked her pizza crust across the box at Stina. “Have I told you how horrible you are lately?”
***
Lesley got home a couple of hours later and went to the bedroom to change. As she dragged her t-shirt over her head, her phone chirped from the living room. She stuffed her feet in her slippers, grabbed her book, and shuffled back to the living room. Her phone sounded again while she was filling up her water bottle.
She flopped on the couch and opened her text messages. The first was from her brother, Oliver, asking her to call. Later.
The second message was from Antony. It was short. Call me?
She popped her earbuds in and punched the icon. It didn’t even ring on her end before he answered.
“Sorry I didn’t call earlier, Lesley,” he said. “I sat with Charlie until she fell asleep.”
His voice flooded her brain, and she shivered. “I just got home a bit ago myself. I’m glad you were there with her. How’s she doing?”
“She’s still a little groggy, but at least she’s complaining about being stuck there. You don’t live on post, do you?”
“No. I live south of town, toward Hereford, in the guesthouse on my brother’s property. You?”
“Yeah. I live in the apartments on post. Rent prices are stupid here, and I wasn’t looking to buy since it’s just me.”
Lesley heard a bottle opening in the background, and then the sound of him swallowing.
