Page 39 of Any Second Now
“Fine,” Raleigh says. “But in exchange, I really do need some good cross-stitch inspiration.”
“I can’t imagine you won’t get that.” Idon’t finish the sentence like I want to, with something likewith this ridiculous dating coach situation.
We settle in our chairs, and I order a bottle of red from the waitress.
“So, where should we start, coach?” I ask, earning a withering look from my not-date.
“Alright. That couple over there.” Raleigh nods her head to a man and woman a few tables over from us. “What do you think?”
The couple, probably in their mid-twenties, are having a conversation over drinks. Looks… fine.
“I don’t know, they look like they’re having an acceptable conversation.” I shrug. “Maybe he looks a bit bored.”
“Exactly. To me it looks like she’s talking and talking and he’s zoning out.”
“Yeah, I see that. He’s not paying attention at all.”
“Like, he’s just kind of staring at her with his eyes glazed over. Actually, he’s staring at a spot over her shoulder, I think, not even at her. Oh—he just took out his phone and looked at it.”
“Maybe he’s a single dad checking on the babysitter,” I suggest.
“You think that guy’s a single dad?” Raleigh gives me a deeply skeptical look, then glances back over. The man is wearing a tight button-down shirt, and his hair is slicked back. He looks far too self-absorbed to be a father.
“Or maybe he’s just a dick.” Of course, he’s just a dick. Even I know not to look at my phone while I’m on a date.
Our server approaches that table and refills the couple’s wine glasses. Then she heads to the bar and the man obviously watches her ass as she walks away.
“Oh, shit.” I chuckle.
Yup—he’s definitely a dick.
“You saw that?” Raleigh looks at me, her voice incredulous.
“Yeah, hard to miss.”
“But the woman is still talking. I think shedidmiss it.”
“He’s still looking. What an ass.”
Raleigh squints her eyes at me.
“What? Ohhh. I meanthe’san ass, not that the server has a nice one.”
“Sure.” Raleigh’s mouth twitches into a smile. “So don’t check out other women while you’re on a date.”
The server appears at our table and opens our bottle of wine, then pours a sip for Raleigh to try. Raleigh nods and the server fills our glasses. I say thank you as she leaves and make sure I don’t even glance her way.
I definitely don’t look at her ass.
“Isdating tip: don’t stare at the server’s asstoo long to go on a cross-stitch thingy?” I swipe my hand across in front of me.
“A hoop?” Raleigh gives me an amused grin.
“The circle thing?”
“The hoop.” She nods. “And yes, that’s probably too long, but your head’s in the right place. Another dating tip: don’t get trashed.”
“And no staring at your phone.” I run my palm over my chin. I shaved for this date so I’m mostly smooth.
