Page 89 of April

Bryce Wilburn: Just be there at seven. She’ll be there, and she’ll find you. I told her what you look like.

This was all very cloak-and-dagger, and she wasn’t a fan, but she went with it because she liked Bryce, and she knew Sophie wouldn’t let her girlfriend set Asher up with someone if it wasn’t a person Sophie thought Asher would like at least enough to share a meal with.

Her phone still in her hand, Asher went to her messages with Linden and scrolled up. She’d had this phone for over two years, so she knew she could scroll for hours, and she still wouldn’t hit the first message they’d exchanged when she’d gotten it.

Asher Hahn: Hey, I’m waiting on a date to show up at this restaurant. Any chance you can text me in, like, twenty minutes, and if I need an out, I’ll use that as an excuse?

She’d decided that her way back in with Linden was to message something like that, something they’d done before, and try not to focus on the fact that she was leaving in a few months. Maybe that would make Linden talk to her.

Linden Washington: Can’t. I’m out as well. I was going to ask you to do the same.

Asher stared down at the phone. Linden was on a date. Of course, Linden was on a date. Linden went on dates all the time,and that was one of the reasons Asher needed to move away now. She wouldn’t stay in Dallas forever. She’d start the office, learn a lot about running the business, and in a few years, she’d leave the company and move back to New Orleans. That should give her enough time away to work through these feelings for Linden and to maybe meet someone else. Linden could meet someone, too, and they’d just go back to being best friends. All would be right in the world.

Asher checked her watch and noticed it was five after seven. She’d give her date another ten minutes before she’d text Bryce that she’d been stood up for the second time this week, and she’d go home grateful that she hadn’t wasted any of her expensive mascara on this date who didn’t show.

When her phone dinged again, Asher smiled, thinking it would be Linden.

Stephania: Hey.

Asher’s smile fell, but she remembered that she liked Stephania and that she hadn’t expected to ever hear from her again despite the fact that they’d exchanged numbers.

Asher Hahn: Hi. How are you?

“How are you?” she said to herself. “You sound like an idiot.”

“Hello. My name is Daphne. I’ll be your server tonight. I understand we’re still waiting on someone?”

“Yes,” Asher replied, looking up at her. “She should be here any minute.”

“Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

“Just a water,” Asher said. “Thank you.”

Daphne nodded, probably thinking that Asher wasn’t likely to be a big tipper because she’d only ordered the free water.

“Actually, can you make it sparkling water? Whichever you have is fine.”

“With lemon?” Daphne asked, sounding a little more interested now.

“Yes, please,” Asher said.

The woman smiled and walked off, leaving Asher alone with her phone, which she picked back up and returned to her messages with Stephania.

Stephania: I’m good. Just wrapped up. Thought I’d text you to see if you wanted to get a drink or hang out.

Asher checked the time again, and it was now eight after seven.

Asher Hahn: I’m technically on a blind date, but she’s not here yet. I’m giving her another seven minutes. Then, I’m out the door. Can I text you then with an update?

The three dots appeared.

Stephania: Someone might be standing you up? What’s wrong with them? Have they seen you?

Asher laughed to herself and typed.

Asher Hahn: No, they haven’t, actually. A friend of mine set me up.

The dots appeared again.

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