Page 46 of April

“I was just leaving. She didn’t show up. I thought you were on a date.”

“I was,” she replied, taking the empty chair across from Asher. “Have you eaten?”

“I had the bruschetta.”

“That’s it?”

“I was waiting for my date,” she replied.

“Want to eat dinner with me?” Linden asked.

“Linden, you were on a date. Did you not eat?”

“It was a drinks thing.”

“So, you drank but came here after?”

“Something like that,” Linden said as she reached for Asher’s water glass and took a long drink.

“You just had sex, didn’t you?”

“No, I didn’t. I left.”

“Why? Did she say something? Do something? Not hot enough for you?”

“She was definitely hot enough,” Linden said as she set the glass back down. “Ash, you texted. I was worried.”

“You were worried about what?”

“That you were just sitting here, waiting for someone who might not show up. I wasn’t that far away, so I came.”

Asher smiled and said, “You gave up sex to come here and see me look pathetic?”

“You never look pathetic,” Linden replied with a kind smile. “And yes, I gave up a sure thing. But she wasn’t what I was looking for, anyway.”

“Sex is what you usually look for.”

“I usually hope for a little conversation first. She just wanted to get right to it. Can we eat? I’m starving.”

“Linden, I’m embarrassed. I’ve been sitting here forever. The waiters were probably taking bets about how long I’d wait before I gave up and are now probably assuming that you’re my date.”

“Let them play their silly games and make assumptions. Who cares?”

“Honestly, I’m not even that hungry anymore,” Asher said.

“That’s a lie,” Linden replied. “You hardly ate anything at lunch today because you were too busy making a presentation about wedding vendors to our friends. I saw you only eat a handful of those awful kale chips you insist are food. They’re not food, Asher. They’re terrible. Food is delicious.”

Asher laughed and said, “I want to go.”

“Okay. Then, we’ll grab sandwiches from Henry’s, and you’re getting one with extra everything that has fat and calories in it and nothing green. Understood?”

“I know you’re just trying to make me feel better about being stood up,” Asher said.

Linden waved over the waiter and pulled out her wallet.

“What are you doing?”

“Paying so that we can go,” Linden replied.

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