Page 3 of Nate
But a part of me knows that’s a lie.
I’m like a penguin. I mate for life.
It just so happens I haven’t been very good at finding the right mating partner.
“Okay,” I say, sitting down. “You’ve twisted my arm.”
“Good,” the woman who isn’t Piper says, waving to the waitress for more wine. “Because I’ve just realized… I have to go… Something just came up.”
She kisses Piper on the cheek, gives me a quick wave, and practically runs out of the restaurant.
Piper looks at me sheepishly. “Sorry about her,” she says.
“Nothing to be sorry about,” I say. “In fact, I should be thanking her. Leaving me alone with the most gorgeous woman in town. I feel like I’ve won the lottery.”
Her cheeks turn crimson. She looks away, only glancing back out the corner of her eye.
A bottle of red suddenly appears before us, brought over by a spotty, smiley young woman in a black apron and white shirt.
She pours us both a glass of wine and waits while I taste it, pretending like I know what the heck I’m doing.
“Tastes like wine,” I say, eliciting a giggle from Piper's full, red lips.
The sound of her laughing is like music to my ears.
The waitress says something and walks away, but I don’t hear her or care what she said.
All my attention is focused on Piper.
I lift up my glass. “To us,” I say. “And that dastardly fishbone that brought us together.”
“To us,” she agrees, clinking her glass against mine. “And choking on… bones.”
3
Piper
Me:I hate you! I can’t believe you ran off like that!
Ashley: What?… I had a thing!
Me: A thing?!!?
I scoff out loud. A couple sitting next to me at the bar turn my way and look at me like I’ve just started yelling about the resurrection.
Ashley: A very important thing.
The three little dots flash on my phone. I bite my lip.
I haven’t been out for a drink in ages. All the other people in the bar are dressed in nice clothes. I’m just wearing jeans and a top. It feels like everybody is looking at me. I wish Nate would get back from the restroom so I don’t look like a loser who’s been stood up on a date.
Ashley: Besides, I thought I was doing you a favor! Leaving you alone with Mr. Hunky Drop-Dead-Gorgeous-Life-Saving-Doctor. Spill the beans? Have you taken him home and bonked his brains out yet?
Me: Are you crazy? We’re just having a nice drink, and then he’ll probably make an excuse and slink off home.
Ashley: I’m not the crazy one. The way he was looking at you… you’re totally in there. Why don’t you just go for it? Take a chance? Who knows, it might be just what you need?
Me: and what’s that, oh wise one? What exactly is it I need?’
