Page 57 of All I Ask
“Is this seat taken?” Derek’s voice says from the left.Great.
“Yes, actually. I’m waiting for someone.”
He smiles. “I see. Big date?”
“If you must know, yes.”
“Ahh, well, leaving a beautiful woman alone at the bar is never a good idea.”
I start to reply but the jackass takes the seat I was saving for Gavin or Gary or…shit…I need to look at his profile and remember his name.
“By all means,” I say with a flair of the dramatics. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
I roll my eyes. “That was sarcasm.”
Derek’s deep chuckle fills the air around us. “And here I thought you were just being polite.”
He doesn’t get to come here, take my date’s seat, and gain my conversation. I use this opportunity to ignore him and look for what’s his name’s name on my phone.
Gavin. Phew. I was right.
I look toward the door, waiting to see if he’s who just came in, but it was just another town person. I really should’ve picked another location. It’s not like we have a plethora of options around here, but this was not my brightest idea.
I wanted somewhere I could easily escape from if I had to, though. I know every exit from the Crabhouse. Lord knows I’ve snuck both in and out of here—many times.
“No such luck, huh?” Derek asks and then hides his smile with his beer.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your date. He’s late?”
I straighten my back and look away. “He’ll be here.”
“Have you guys gone out before or is this a first date?”
“Don’t you have anyone else to annoy?”
He grins. “Nope.”
“Lucky me.”
“Chastity mentioned your big date tonight.”
I turn with my mouth gaping. “She what?”
Derek shrugs as if he didn’t say anything of consequence. “I heard you were meeting some guy off a dating site and I thought someone should be here in case you go missing. You know…chaperone.”
“And you thoughtyoushould do it?”
Meeting Greg—dammit—Gavin was going to be hard enough, but with my ex-best-friend-could’ve-been-more here it is going to be impossible.
“Why don’t you head home and I’ll let you know if I need help?” I suggest.
Derek leans in close. “But by that point, he could’ve buried your body. This way we’re able to make sure it doesn’t get to that point.”
“They make these amazing things nowadays called…cell phones.” I shake my phone at him for emphasis.
