Page 27 of Sawyer
Dude understood the need for heavy furniture in this moment. No way he could stand up on his own.
“How am I supposed to go on a date like this?” he finally asked, raising his glass, champagne sloshing close to the rim.
“One step at a time, Doc,” Kyle told him.
This time he laughed until he saw stars.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
One step at a time had helped, but he’d still needed four attempts to get his tie right before his date. Yeah, a tie. BecauseRougeswas a swanky place. Restaurants with a Michelin star usually were. Although he hoped a jacket and tie would never be required at Nanine’s. Rather ruined the fun, if you asked him.
He swayed a little in the mirror, making him worry he might need to take Kyle up on his offer: “We’ll walk you to the table if this whole agent thing throws your balance off for the rest of the day.”
He’d wanted to bro hug Golden Boy so hard for that.
Only it was the thought of seeing Phoebe again that had him off-balance. When he’d awoken late this morning—because he hadn’t fallen asleep until around four—he’d been as excited about seeing her again as he was about talking to the agents.
That had to mean something, didn’t it?
He checked himself in the mirror, taking in the suit Brooke had suggested he buy when they were out shopping for outfits for Thea’s wedding. Girl had a serious eye. He wouldn’t have tried on the rose-colored suit and the gunmetalgray silk tie with an ivory silk shirt, but it had been next level. Dashing. Sophisticated. A little artsy given the rose color.
When he came down the stairs, Brooke was waiting along with the others, Madison included, meaning she’d dashed back to the house just to see him off. Jesus!
Brooke tugged his jacket down and ran her hands over his shoulders. “It’s perfect, and don’t worry. I sent Thea and Jean Luc home. They had dinner with his family tonight so it wasn’t like Thea would suspect anything.”
“What is he, the bride now, where you can’t see him before the wedding?” Madison smothered a laugh. “Nice threads, Doc.”
“I’ll say.” Dean let out a shrill whistle. “You got swag.”
“Très chic,”Jacqueline echoed.
“Brooke did well.” Kyle flicked a hand toward him. “You look like a famous artist, Doc.”
Then you have everybody fooled.He didn’t like that thought from his inner critic, and since he couldn’t bring out his figurative pastel sword and slice at it, he shoved it to the back of his mind as if it were a dusty box in the attic.
Forget that naysayer. He had his first agent, and she was the shit. Tonight he was going on a date with an incredible woman. Dr. Sawyer Jackson was going to seize the day and enjoy it all.
“You need help getting there, Doc?” Dean put a hand on his shoulder. “Lady Jacs and I can drop you off at the restaurant.”
“Or Axel and I can,” Brooke added.
“I think I can make it,” he assured them.
Although he might be gripping his knees under the table to keep present. He was still a little light-headed, and one look at Phoebe, and he’d likely be a goner.
“At least let me call you a car.” Dean took out his phone. “You holler if you need anything. We can pick you up afterward too.”
“He’s not a kid going to a slumber party where there will be too much pizza and horror movies,” Madison told everyone. “But I do expect you to be home by midnight, Doc. Or my cleaver is coming out of the box.”
That had him dissolving into laughter. “You’re worried about me going home with her? God, that’s kinda funny. I usually don’t move that fast.”
“She might,” Madison added without missing a beat. “Don’t let her rush you. It’s been a big day. You tell her that. Also, let her know that she’s going to deal with me if you come home upset.”
So she was here to lay down the law?
“Noted. But, Madison, you really should be at the restaurant.”
