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Isaac: I think I’m going to murder Titan.
Carmen: That would be bad because he’s my ride.
Isaac: Was your ride. I’m coming to get you. Send me an address.
I sighed with relief. Although I’d toyed with the idea of using a ride share app or calling my sister to save me from my date of shame, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It would be admitting what a farce of a date this was. Titan brought me solely so he could show up with someone. I wasn’t even arm candy. I was street cred.
Also, Titan was a liar, because on the way here when I asked if he remembered Winnie, he denied ever knowing anyone by that name, promptly missed his turn, swore, did a five-point turnin a Civic, and almost backed us into a Bentley. He definitely remembered her.
Isaac: Oh, and the stagecoach resort thing sounds amazing.
That was it. Decision made.
Carmen: Pick me up. I’ll love you forever.
Isaac: Promise?
I sighed. Of course I’d love him forever. As my bestest guy friend. I sent him a pin drop, and he sent me back a thumbs up and said he was twenty minutes out.
I walked over to the appetizer table and waited on two ladies in evening gowns to move before taking a few tiny almond cookies from a gold tray. Apparently, nobody knew how to dress for this thing because we had everything from dressy to business casual, to well, me. Yes, I was the only person in jeans, but that was fine. At least no one else had accused me of dressing like an extra from aWhere’s Waldobook. I considered hitting Titan in the back of the head with one of my cookies, but that would be a waste of perfectly good food. Plus, I’d met some very nice people tonight, and there was no need to make a scene. I walked over with my plate and chatted with the couple who had told me about the stage coach place, and before I knew it, my phone was buzzing with a text from Isaac saying he’d arrived.
I said my goodbyes and looked around for Titan. Sigh. He looked so happy and pleased with himself for being a part of a conversation with beautiful women. Maybe I could send him a text instead.
I turned to go and saw Isaac leaning in the doorway, his gaze on me steady and affectionate. He could take two strides and be at Titan’s side if he wanted to, but he was waiting for me to make my move or ask him to make his, and there was literally nothing hotter.
I could admit that. I blew out a breath. He was wearing his leather jacket again. I wasn’t tempted to steal this one. I liked it just fine on his fine arms.
Carmen! Focus.
Right. Friendship for the win. Maturity. I was the master of my own destiny.
I put up my hand in a staying motion and strode over to Titan myself. I was a beautiful woman, too. Not leggy, not runway material, nor could l wax long about Faust or Emily Dickinson. But I had my own beauty, and more importantly, I was the person he’d invited to this thing.
When Titan saw me coming, he stopped midsentence, his mouth gaping open like a fish. He had literally forgotten about me. What a doofus.
I let the moment of awkward silence drag out long enough to feed my sense of justice, and then I said, “Thank you for inviting me tonight. I’ve found a ride home. Enjoy your evening.”
I practically skipped to Isaac and didn’t hesitate a second to fill his arms when he opened them. Even with my face against the cold leather of his jacket, it was a good hug.
“Ready to get out of here?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
“Where do you want to go?” He pulled his keys out of his pocket and put an arm around my shoulders as we walked out. He was parked just outside, and he opened the passenger side of his truck for me before going around and getting in.
It was just past eight o’clock. I wasn’t all that hungry, but I wasn’t dying to go home and call it a night either.
“What about that date recap?” I asked. “You want to hang out on my couch?”
Isaac shrugged. “Or we could hang out on mine. My place isn’t far from here.”
“Sure. If that’s easier.” I said it calmly, but inside I was doing a little happy dance. Okay, maybe on the outside too, because Isaac reached out and squeezed my bouncing knee. Oops.
“What’s up with you?”
“Would it be weird if I said I’ve been dying to see where you live?”
“Um.” He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t live in a secret lair or anything.”
