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Is Fate messing with me? What are the chances he’d show up at my first date since our time together in St. Kitts?
“Olivia?”
I tear my eyes away from the window, and I’m greeted by Austin’s questioning look.
The hostess stands at the end of our table, holding out a menu.
“Sorry.” I take the oversized, laminated paper. “Thank you.”
She gives me an indifferent nod, then turns her flirtatious attention back onto Austin. “Your server will be with you shortly. In the meantime, let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, we will.” Austin looks down at the menu, missing the disappointed frown pulling the hostess’s lips just before she walks away.
I honestly don’t know what she was hoping would happen. Can’t she see Austin is on a date?
“Have you been here before?” he asks. He flips the menu and scans the items on the back.
The bells above the gastropub’s entrance jingle. I force myself to keep my eyes on Austin even though every fiber of my being wants to look to where I know Derek is standing. I can picture the hostess pushing up her impressive breasts to catch his attention. The image makes me see red.
“Once,” I force myself to answer. “It was good.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ve been meaning to try this place, but the only time I go out to eat is when the firm is entertaining clients, and the partners prefer to dine in fancier restaurants.”
“Oh.” Movement out of the corner of my eye breaks my concentration. I turn and, sure enough, the hostess is leading Derek towards the bar. And she’s eyeing him up over her shoulder like she plans to devour him.
“Holy shit. Is that Derek Lawson?”
I whip my head back around, feeling like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. “What?”
But Austin isn’t looking at me. He’s staring at the bar. More specifically, he’s staring at the brown-haired man pulling out a barstool in front of the pretty bartender.
It must be a requirement to be an attractive female to work here. I haven’t seen one guy in the place.
“Oh man, it is him. I can’t believe it. I didn’t think he ever came back to Ann Arbor.”
Austin’s words give me pause. “Do you know Derek or something?”
“No, not at all. Wait.” Austin looks back at me. “Do you?”
“Oh. Um… yeah. Our families are close.”
“Wow. No way.” He shakes his head in awe. “I’ve been following his career since Adam Moreno first announced his investment in Derek’s company. It’s awesome to see someone from our town be so successful, you know?”
“I guess so.” I’m not sure what to make of the fact Austin is so excited about the success of someone he doesn’t know, especially when that someone is Derek.
“Can you introduce me?”
“W-what?” I almost choke on saliva.
“Can you introduce me? A few buddies of mine have ideas for some tech apps, and I’d love to get Derek Lawson’s opinion on them.”
“I don’t know, Austin.” I scramble to find a good enough reason that will save me from being forced to introduce Derek to the only guy I’ve gone on a date with in over two years. “Derek’s in town to visit family and relax. I’m not sure how he would take someone trying to discuss work with him.”
“Ah, come on. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Oh, look!” Austin’s head lifts, and his eyes shine with excitement. “He’s looking over here. Come on. We can go say hi.” He’s out of his chair before I can say a word.
A glance confirms that Derek is, indeed, looking our way. Austin waits for me to stand. I can’t see a way to avoid what’s about to happen. With a resigned sigh, I scoot off the tall chair.
I feel Derek’s piercing blue eyes watch me as I weave my way through the bar’s tables and chairs. I avoid meeting his gaze until I stand in front of him. My heart flips in my chest when we lock eyes. Just like it always does.
