Page 28 of Protecting Bianca

My waves hadn’t frizzed up yet and my jeans slid on without too much yanking. It was all going so well, so why was I nervous?

A ping caught my attention, and I turned to the large screen at my desk. It was Ruby. ‘I need to unwind. Are you up for a game?’

I sat down to type my reply. ‘Sorry. Can’t. Getting ready for a date.’

‘Date? Who with?’

‘Have you ever done something you know is stupid, but you can’t stop yourself?’

‘Every day.’

I laughed. ‘Well, I swiped right with this guy earlier today, and now I’m meeting him at a bar. We haven’t even texted yet.’

‘That’s not good.’

‘I know. I’m getting a weird feeling.’

‘Then don’t go.’

I bit my bottom lip. It was sound advice, something I would say to a friend as well. But with everything that happened lately, I wasn’t sure if my nerves were high because of the delivery, the security restrictions, or seeing Jager again.

‘It’s a public place. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’

‘Where is it?’

‘It’s a pub on Main and 5th. The Fox and something.’

I had no idea if Ruby knew the place. We bonded initially when we discovered we lived near the city and exchanged some of our favorite restaurants. But she had been traveling for work so much that we never discussed any new places.

‘Call me if there’s any trouble.’

I smiled. I’d never met Ruby. I didn’t think I ever would, but she was sweet to say that. ‘Thanks, Ruby. I better go.’

I found my brother on the couch as usual. “Don’t you have plans with Lizzie or something?” I asked him as I pulled on my black leather boots. It was starting to get chilly at night.

“It’s Thursday night. The hockey game is on.”

I rolled my eyes. If it wasn’t hockey, it was football or baseball. I swear my brother always found an excuse to stay in. “All right, well, enjoy your game.”

He swiveled to look at me. “Where are you going?”

“Out.”

“When will you be back?”

“Later.”

“Bianca!”

I smiled and waved at him before closing the door. I knew it would have been smart to tell him about my date, but River had always been overprotective of me and it became a habit to keep him out of my life.

But I texted Lizzie. “If you don’t hear from me in three hours, I’ve been kidnapped from The Fox and something on Main and 5th.”

There. I threw my phone in my purse and stepped into my car. The leather seats were cold, and I shivered as I waited for the engine to warm up. The car was more than twelve years old, so I gave it some extra time. I needed to treat this girl well if she would stay with me for the next five years. I had no intention of spending money on a new car since I started saving for my own place.

When the rumble of the engine became a purr, I backed out of my driveway.

I rarely drove into the city, but the last two times I’d used an Uber, the car smelled so bad it stayed with me for hours. I didn’t want to take that chance tonight on a first date. Besides, I had an ulterior motive for meeting John, at least, I thought that was his name. I still needed a date for my cousin Amy’s wedding.

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