Page 100 of All In
Now it’s time for me to make mine. I choose myself. I need to start living and move on.
Sam is my past. I am ready for my future.
“Let’s do it.” The words spill out of my mouth before I have a second to take them back.
Richelle lets out a screech and leaps out of her chair to hug me. A satisfied smile crosses Amanda’s lips. She is already typing something into her phone.
“Wait, who are you texting?”
“Who do you think? Geoffrey.” Her thumbs are flying over the keyboard.
“Wow. You work fast,” Richelle says as she sits back down in her seat, taking a bite of her waffle.
“You’re already texting him? This is happening too fast.” Amanda has always been efficient. And yet again, it will be at the expense of my love life. She helped me end one relationship. It makes sense for her to start a new one for me, I guess.
“Full disclosure. I already told him about you yesterday, and he has agreed to meet you for dinner next Friday night. And don’t worry. I sent him that pic of you from your employee end-of-year party last December. You had on that one-shouldered pink dress and your hair was swept over to the side. You looked amazing that night.”
“Oh, my God.” I bury my face in my hands. Because I can’t believe she has done this. But also relieved she showed him that pic because I was feeling good that night. That dress made my legs look a mile long.
She sits her phone down on the table. “There, done. I just sent him your number and told him to text you.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I say as I shake my head.
“You love me and how proficient I am.”
She’s right, I do. Amanda was my savior when I divorced Nate. I got everything I wanted and then some because of her and Elias.
Seconds later, my phone pings with an incoming text.
“Dang,” Richelle quips. “He is interested! I like a man who works fast.”
I give her a pointed look and lift my phone to read the incoming text.
It’s him.
Unknown Number: Hey Maria. This is Geoffrey. I work with Amanda. She gave me your number and insisted I text you right away or, and I quote, “Heads will roll.” Lol. She’s ruthless. Anyway, I would really like to take you to dinner this Friday if you’re free. No pressure. Or we can just text first to get to know one another. Whatever you’re comfortable with. Just let me know. Look forward to hearing from you. Soon, I hope.
My cheeks feel flushed from reading the text. I can picture him, sitting on his couch, casual, in a t-shirt and sweats, barefoot, looking Channing-esque, typing out this text to me.
It isn’t overly flirty. He said nothing inappropriate. He’s actually putting the ball in my court and being a gentleman, which is … considerate. And really sweet.
“You’re blushing!” Richelle exclaims. “Let me see.” I hand my phone to her, and she reads. “Ahhh … he seems genuine!” She hands me back my phone. “Say yes.”
Amanda doesn’t ask to read it. I look over at her, and she winks before taking a roll to butter it. She doesn’t need to read the text because she knows what a good guy he is. Like she said, she wouldn’t set me up with a tool.
I look between my two friends, and I know what I’m going to do. I type out my reply and hit send before I rethink this.
“Alright, Geoffrey with a G. Let’s see what you got.”
Chapter thirty-six
2021
The Restaurant
Sam
“Wow.” Cara glances around at the restaurant, her eyes roving all around in wonder, taking in the ambience. “This place is something else.”
