Page 90 of February

Then, Monica walked across the street and pulled open the door just as Bridgette was walking out of it.

“Thanks,” Bridgette said when Monica held it for her. She handed Monica a coffee and asked, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, he was just checking on me. Aaron called him before he took off this morning, and my dad is just excited that he wants to go to Tulane.”

“So, nothing at all about the whole reason you’re here?” Bridgette asked as they started walking again.

“He wanted an update, yes.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That I wanted to stay here a little longer and help you figure this out.”

“You told him about me?”

“Not like that.” Monica chuckled and took Bridgette’s hand again. “But I think we should go out tonight.”

“We’re already out,” Bridgette suggested.

“I mean on a real date. I’ll pick you up in a–”

“Limo?”

Monica laughed and said, “Town car. We’ll have a nice dinner and do something after. Maybe just walk around like this, and you can show me more of the city at night.”

“Then?”

“Then, we can go back to your place or to my hotel for a drink. Not that wine, though. I’ll pick something out for us.”

Bridgette laughed and replied, “That was pretty awful. Maybe it went bad or something.”

“Wine ages. It shouldnotgo bad.”

“Well, grocery store wine might not even be real wine.”

“What do you say? Date?”

“What do we do for the rest of today, then?”

“I’m thinking we walk around, sit by the water like we did the other day, talk, get lunch, and then say our temporary goodbyes so that we can get ready. I can make a reservation.”

“No reservation. Nothing fancy.”

“No?”

“Let’s go to a dive place.”

“A dive? For a first date?”

“Yes. I know a place you’ll like, but you have to trust me when I tell you what’s spicy this time.”

“I’m not great in dive places.”

“You’ll be fine. And wear something comfortable, okay? Don’t even think about dressing up or bringing that massive bag of yours. I’ll pick you up. No town car. We’ll just be two non-rich people tonight, okay?”

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes,” Bridgette said.

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