Page 28 of Santa Baby Maybe
“We should go,” I announced, picking up my drink with the intent to finish it off in a few big gulps. There was no reason to leave margarita behind.
I glanced over at them, gauging their distance from where we were at the bar. He hadn’t spotted me yet, which was good. The bar was busy, but it wasn’t packed on a Tuesday night. He would probably want a table or booth where they could order dinner. Frankly, I was surprised LoDo’s would be his choice for a first date. It seemed way too casual for him. Louder with more raucous conversation. He was a linen tablecloth guy, with napkins and soft classical background music.
So what was he doing here with her? I watched as he approached the hostess stand. While she looked around the place, her chin up in the air a bit, her nose wrinkled as if she was smelling something unappealing. Like fried food.
“You’re kidding, right?” Sophie asked. “He shows and we’ve got to go?”
“It would be awkward for him if he knew we were here. He’d feel self-conscious. A blind date is hard enough without knowing your coworkers are watching you.”
“And why would we be watching him?” Sophie asked, although there was a note of teasing in her voice.
I blinked at that. Because there was no way in hell I was going to be able to look away. To see how W.B. acted, how his date responded. I would watch them so intently, it would be fair if W.B. wanted to sell me a ticket.
“Just humor me. Finish your beer quickly and we’ll find another bar.”
She snorted. “You’ve totally got a thing for him.”
“I don’t!” I protested. “If anything I’m doing this to improve his chances with her. Oh no, they’re coming to the bar. Hurry!”
Except Sophie wasn’t rushing, and the only thing that happened was that W.B. and his date approached us as I was mid-guzzle of my margarita.
“Hey Joy,” W.B. offered.
I set the now-empty glass aside on the bar and could feel traces of salt around my lips.
Do not lick. Do not lick!
“You’ve got a little salt,” he said, pointing to the corner of his own mouth.
Sophie snatched a napkin off the bar and passed it to me. I wiped my mouth and offered a lame wave.
“Hey, W.B.”
“Alexandria, this is Sophie and Joy. I work with them at Kane Co. Sophie, Joy, this is Alexandria. She’s an attorney at the firm Warner and Warner.”
Of course she is, I thought. Rather unkindly and with no real cause.
“We were just going,” I told him.
“Not quite yet,” Sophie said and lifted her half-full beer.
“We’re waiting for a table,” W.B. said. Then he turned to Alexandria. “Can I order you something to drink while we wait?”
“No, thank you. I don’t like to drink on first dates as I feel I should be using this time to make a detailed, intelligent assessment. Alcohol can lower inhibitions and dull the wits.”
“Ha.” Sophie laughed. “If we don’t lower our inhibitions and dull our wits, how are we ever going to find men worth the effort? Am I right, sister?”
I cringed and looked to W.B. as if to apologize for Sophie. He gave me a brief, don’t-worry-about-it smile.
Alexandria didn’t comment on Sophie’s statement. “Your business is close to here? Our time is limited, so W.B. suggested something close to his office.”
“Yes.” I smiled. “Our building is just a few blocks down. Sophie and I come here after work when we get a chance. Tonight we are celebrating. Our one thousandth order.”
W.B. beamed. “You heard. I wanted to tell you, but…”
He stopped. But he’d had to leave to go on his date. That was okay. It was totally fine.
I shrugged. “You know how it goes. Good news travels fast and bad news travels faster. I was happy this time it was good news.”
