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Stupid. I wasn’t Leo’s type.
Even stupider. He wasn’t my type. Right? We barely tolerated each other’s company. We were complete opposites. Setting down my phone, I wiped the unauthorized thoughts about him from my mind and tried to focus on other things.
Like my shoes. Yes. Shoes were safe. Although in my case, were they? Gratefully, this pair was more comfortable than those I’d borrowed for the interview. Malorie had also lent me her makeup kit to go from “day to night,” as she called it, when I did a quick touch-up before I left the office.
But the thought of shellacking my lips in gloss right before eating didn’t make sense. Did it? I was terrible at this sort of stuff. The sad fact was I’d rather have been on my living room sofa in PJs and no makeup at all.
“Hi, you must be Addison.”
The man’s voice caused me to stand up suddenly, bump the table, and nearly spill my water.
“Hi, you must be Tate.” He resembled his picture, which was refreshing. Wasn’t sure I’d call him six feet tall, but maybe it was the angle I was standing in my heels that made him seem shorter than his advertised height. He was dressed in a dark blue polo shirt, khaki pants, and leather loafers.
“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
He was only a couple minutes late. “It’s fine.” I shoved my phone in my purse and willed myself to concentrate on my date. Tate, my date. My date, Tate. Jesus. Get it together, Addy.
A half hour later, past a drink and an appetizer, I was mishap-free, and the conversation was flowing.
Tate did most of the talking. Which I didn’t mind, but there was something insincere about him. Since I couldn’t put my finger on what was giving me this vibe, I forced a smile and ordered the tortellini for my dinner.
“Good for you for not shying away from the carbs.”
His comment seemed benign, but it rubbed the wrong way. Why bring it up at all? “Yeah.”
“I’ll have the lasagna,” he ordered, giving his menu to the waitress.
I made myself relax as we waited on our meals to arrive.
He took out his buzzing phone and frowned, looking torn.
“Do you need to get that?”
“Nah. I’m on a date with a pretty girl.”
It should’ve been a nice sentiment. Yet I was tempted to ask if he even remembered my name. I was being silly and blamed Leo for putting creeper thoughts into my head. Plenty of people met and fell in love via online dating.
A couple minutes later, Tate put his napkin on the table. “I’ll be back. Just hitting the restroom.”
“Sure.” As soon as he left the table, I relaxed. Ugh. Why was dating so hard? So many unknowns and so much awkwardness.
If there was a fast-forward button, I’d have loved to find it and get to the part where I was curled up with someone on the couch and sharing a plate of nachos. We’d do things like talk about how many dog breeds you could possibly cross with a poodle. Was there a pit boodle? A pugoodle. How about a shitzoodle?
My random pooch conundrum lasted a few minutes, and after going through all the weird combinations, I realized Tate hadn’t returned. The thought he could’ve ghosted me sprouted like a bad seed in the back of my mind. But why would he bother? If he was trying to stick me with the check, wouldn’t he wait until after he’d eaten?
A few minutes later, I brought out my phone. Since I didn’t have his cell number, I intended to try messaging him via the app. The sound of someone taking the seat across from me brought instant relief, but when I glanced up, it wasn’t Tate.
ChapterTwelve
LEO
Some people could enter a room and blend in. Not me. Not with my six-foot-four frame, long hair, and tattoos. Nope. I stood out like a sore thumb. And it was clear by the trepidation with which the hostesses at the front of the Italian restaurant looked at me, I wasn’t about to sneak in, have a peek at Addison with her date, and then promptly sneak back out.
Fortunately, Craig had charm enough to overcome my intimidating appearance. “Hi, ladies, we’re here to check on a friend. Reservation was under Tate McDonald.”
The younger of the two girls smiled and glanced down to her screen. “Sure. They’re seated to the left against the wall. Table for two.”
“Thanks, darlin’,” he said giving her a wink and looking at me like “now what?”
