Page 10 of Lordes

I had a customer approach the checkout counter so I rang them up as quickly as I could. I didn’t respond to the text right away. I didn’t want to look desperate. I needed to make sure I did respond before Lord thought I was being rude. After my lone customer walked out of the store I started crafting my text.

[You’re welcome.] I hit the send button. It was short and sweet but I didn’t want to appear to be too eager. I probably shouldn’t care so much about how I am perceived to this man I didn’t even know but it was a habit, a bad habit if you ask me.

“Labria, Google says that the name Lordes is a French name and it means natural leader, independent, wise, optimistic, generous, strong willed, highly ambitious and brave.”

“Does it really say all that?” I asked sort of hoping all those things were true about Mr. Donovan.

“Yes, it actually says that.”

My cell vibrated in my hand this time. I looked down at the message. This time I didn’t read it out loud. I decided to just ask Brett a question.

“Hey have you heard of a restaurant called Tobago Prime on East Wacker?”

“Yes, seafood restaurant, very expensive. Dress nice. Take an Uber. You’re off tomorrow so just have fun. Let your hair down. Live it up.”

“I’m going to try. I have a horrible track record with first dates.”

“Think positive and if you need me to rescue you I will keep my ringer on all night.”

“I should be fine. It’s a public place, the restaurant. If I have to bail I will just walk out. I’m too old to sit through uncomfortable and awkward first dates.”

“Yeah, it’ll be just fine. Do you want to Google him?”

“Ah, how about you Google him and only tell me if there’s a mugshot or something really bad. I’m already super nervous about first dates especially this first date. I haven’t had one in a very long time. I don’t want to over analyze the man before I even talk to him again.”

“That’s totally fair. I will do all the research for you.”

“Thanks, I don’t want to think too much about it or I’ll chicken out.”

“No, no, I will think for you. You just relax. Think good thoughts. You’re not too old to be a trophy wife.”

“I am too old and I’m sure he’s not looking to wife anyway. He would already be married if he wanted that.” I thought about it. “Oh, do you think he’s married?”

“Labria, stop jumping to conclusions. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.”

“He wasn’t?”

“No dear. I checked his fingers and his toes. If you’re that concerned about his singledom just ask him when you’re at dinner.”

“He could lie to me.”

“Look him square in his dreamy beautiful blue eyes when you ask to see if he’s lying.”

“I’ll try to remember that.” I raised and eyebrow because this was actually good advice.

Chapter Four

LORDES

The rest of my workday was quiet and peaceful. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was one of the beautiful ones. Holding her in my arms was a memory I couldn’t shake. Her smile was embedded in my brain and made it difficult to concentrate on anything but the exact moment I would see her again. I needed her to show up for our date. I never lacked confidence but she was hard to read. If she stood me up I wouldn’t be able to take it.

I left the office thirty minutes early so I could drop the books at Gram’s and spend some quality time with her before my date. I put my key in Gram’s lock and waited for her normal question.

“Who is it?” She called out from the kitchen.

“The only person with a key Gram.” I yelled from the front door.

Gram came from the kitchen and glared at me. “You could’ve been a burglar.”

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