Page 90 of April

Stephania: Well, I can wait until you message in seven minutes to decide what I’m doing, but I’m thinking about hitting up a jazz bar or someplace where I can just listen to music. Low-key.

Asher wished she knew more of the good jazz bars in the city, but it hadn’t ever been her thing.

Asher Hahn: I’ll text you in six minutes.

She looked up just in time to see a couple walking past her table hand in hand and a woman following them, but she veered off and went to the bathroom, so Asher guessed she wasn’t her date. She picked up her phone again and messaged Bryce.

Asher Hahn: My date is late.

Bryce didn’t respond right away, so Asher placed her phone down and smiled at Daphne, who dropped off a bottle of Pellegrino and a glass.

“She’ll be here soon,” Asher told her. “Just running a few minutes late.”

“No problem,” Daphne replied and left her alone again.

Asher had been this person twice in one week, making excuses for a date who would never come, and she hated it. It was seven-twelve when she reached for her purse on the floor and tucked her phone inside it, deciding she wasn’t giving this woman another three minutes of her life she’d never get back. She’d waited long enough.

“Ash?”

Asher looked up and noticed Linden standing there.

“Hey. What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Well, I just got done peeing. I was trying to hold it in until my date got here and I could at least meet her and order drinks, but she’s late, and I really had to go. What are you doing here?”

“I’m on a date, remember?” Asher replied. “Or, I was supposed to be, anyway. She’s late.”

“I got here five minutes early to avoid being the late one, and my date decided that time was just a construct that didn’t apply to her, apparently,” Linden said. “I’m at a booth in the back. I guess I didn’t see you come in.”

“Well, I was about to leave. I told myself I’d only give her fifteen minutes. It’s been long enough. I left cash for my water.”

“Want to–” Linden stopped. “Never mind. I’m going to wait a few more minutes and text Melinda to see what’s going on.”

“Melinda?”

“Yeah. She set me up.”

“Shedid?” Asher asked.

“She and Kyle. She said she had a friend she thought I’d really like. I’ll give her, like, ten more minutes, and then I’ll head home.”

“Bryce setmeup,” Asher revealed.

“Bryce?” Linden asked, sounding surprised. “Bryce set you up?” She pulled out the chair opposite Asher and sat down in it. “When?”

“Yesterday.”

“When yesterday?” Linden asked.

“Um… After you two had lunch. Why?”

“Why the fuck would–” Linden shook her head.

“What’s wrong?” Asher asked.

“Nothing. I–” Linden stopped again and looked away from Asher. “So, just going to head home?”

“No, actually. I got a text from Stephania. She wanted to grab a drink.”

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