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At seven on the dot, her doorbell rang.
Sage pushed up from the couch and brushed her hair back, surprised again at the lack of length. She moved to the door and swung it open.
Brian stood on her threshold, looking far too handsome for her sanity. The man was banging hot and for a split second, she wondered what he would say if she dragged him inside and ripped his clothes off.
No, she wouldn’t do that. They needed to get at least one date under their belts before they lost their belts.
His dark blond brows popped over his eyes as he looked at her. “You cut your hair.”
He reached out, fingering the lengths.
“Just a few inches. I needed a bit of a change.”
His grin widened. “I think it looks fantastic. The long hair looked good too, don’t get me wrong, but this suits you.” Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. He drew back before she had a chance to do anything and pushed a bunch of dark blue and purple carnations toward her.
Sage blinked, wondering how he knew what she liked. Leaning down, she inhaled. “Adam?”
Brian laughed and shook his head. “No. Did I get it right? You seem too practical for roses.”
Sage shook her head. “No, I love carnations. They’re my favorite. Let me put them in water and we can go.”
Brian followed her inside and watched as she looked for a vase. When she couldn’t find the vase, she grabbed a Mason jar she used for her iced coffees instead. They fit perfectly. With another slow inhale, she set them on the kitchen table. They looked beautiful there.
“Thank you, Brian. It’s been years since I got a real bouquet like that.”
“Well, I’m glad I got that right. I hope I get the rest of the date right.”
Sage snorted. “I think you’ll be fine.”
They headed out the door, Sage locking it behind them and setting the alarm. Brian opened the door for her when they got to his truck and closed it behind her. It was already warm, and she shivered, pulling her coat tighter around herself. “Any hints on what we’re doing?”
Brian glanced at her. “Nah. You’ll see.”
Sage laughed, enjoying the mystery. Since they lived in the city, it didn’t take them long to get to a restaurant. Brian parked in a pay lot in the arena district, paid the fee on his phone, and escorted her down the street. When they rounded a corner and Sage looked ahead, she saw the name of a popular, higher end Mexican restaurant. “Oh,” she breathed. “I’ve heard about this place. I think Gary has talked about it.”
Brian held the door open for her and they went in. The hostess seated them almost immediately, though there were a bunch of people waiting. When she looked at him, he shrugged. “I had a reservation.”
They were seated in a cute little booth and almost immediately a server came for their drink order. Sage ordered a margarita and an ice water. Luckily, she was off her pain medication now.
Brian ordered a margarita as well, and a chips and salsa starter. Sage glanced over the menu. “I have no idea what to get.”
Brian grinned. “Parker has been here. He says damned near everything is good. That’s why I made the reservation.”
“I’m willing to share if you are,” she said, and he nodded.
When the server returned with their drinks, they placed their order, then dipped into their chips.
“So, how is Gary doing?” Brian asked. “Did you talk to him today?”
“Just texted him. He’s bored out of his mind right now, and I’m not too far off, so I started a word game with him a few days ago. We bounce back and forth, and I’ve beaten him twice already. So, now he’s out for blood. I think they’re going to move him to a rehab place next week.”
“Well, that’s good. Hopefully he’ll thrive there.”
“If Candice has anything to say about it, he will,” she said.
Throngs of people were heading toward Nationwide Arena, which was right up the block. “There must be a concert or something going on tonight.”
“Hockey, I think,” Brian said, watching the people flow into the venue. “Parker said the Blue Jackets are playing.”
