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She moved to the side as a crush of men flew up the stairs in a V formation and stormed the box office.
A dark-haired man at the rear of the pack bumped her arm. “Jeeze, sorry.” He gave her a lopsided grin, his eyes hidden by aviator sunglasses. “They’re animals.”
She couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Looks like you’re going to have fun.”
He turned to her and walked up the stairs backwards. “Go Orange.”
“What if I’m rooting for the other guy?”
“Not sure I can forgive that one, but I’m willing to give it a try.” His voice was deep and playful, and he had the most adorable head of curls that obviously rebelled against product. The kind that invited fingers.
Presley bit her lower lip. She didn’t usually find the beardy type attractive, but goodness.
“Sorry, that was the office,” Daniel said. “You ready to go in?”
The dark-haired guy sighed. “Of course you’re taken.”
No, she wanted to yell.No, I am not.But she was determined to give her date a chance. Even though he’d already stuck his foot in it. “Have fun,” she said to the stranger.
“I was,” he replied. “I’ll endeavor to pick up my broken heart and make it through the game though.”
“Is this guy bothering you?” Daniel asked.
Presley shook her head. “He was just being nice.”
“Sounds like he’s bothering you. She’s with me, buddy.” Daniel pressed a hand to her lower back and urged her up the stairs. “Go back to your pack.”
She wanted to melt into the concrete. “Daniel,” she said sharply.
Mr. Dark Hair’s eyebrows shot up and he put up placating hands. “Sorry.” He gave her a wry smile. “I’ll leave the pretty lady alone.”
And then he was gone, his friends giving him a slap on the back as he joined them.
She glanced at her date. “You didn’t need to be so rude.”
He lifted a finger to her as his phone chimed. “One second, it’s work.” He lifted the phone to his ear this time. “Jim, hey, how’s it going? No, I’m not busy.” He climbed the stairs, leaving her to follow him.
Presley shook her head. Oh yeah, this was going to be an amazing night.
Her date took two tickets out of his wallet and handed one back to her as they got to the turnstile at the door. He kept a running commentary with his client, shot a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure she was still there, then made his way to the beer line.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder and stood behind him. When they got to the front of the line, he didn’t bother to ask her if she wanted a beer, just ordered two and handed her a foamy cup.
She would have preferred a cider.
“Look, Jim, I’ve got to handle something. How about we connect tomorrow for a drink?”
At least she’d been upgraded from not busy tosomething. She was moving up in the world. She took a small sip of her beer and wrinkled her nose. She hated IPA.
“Sorry about that. New client. Still needs babying.”
“I understand. I’m always working too.” And she did relate, but her father had been so thrilled that she had a date, he’d practically pushed her out the door at two o’clock to get ready. All he wanted was for her to get married, and her mother was second chair in that symphony.
“Natalie told me you work for your father.”
They moved on to the food line. “Yes, I’m the principal jewelry designer for the store.” At least she had been until last year. Saying it out loud was depressing so she bumped up her smile wattage to push the thought into the back of her mind where it belonged.
Tonight wasn’t about work. It was about having fun.
