They nod and I signal for the server. While we wait for our next round to arrive, I launch into my quickly made up story. There’s no avoiding it now.
“He was a friend of my family, but we didn’t know each other very well. He’s a few years older than me. Then one day, everything changed. My parents died in a tragic accident, and Cian was there for me. We fell in love, and the rest is history.”
Jade gasps. “Oh my god. I’m sorry for your loss. But that’ssoromantic.”
“You’re so lucky you didn’t have to date a stranger,” Lisa says. “At least a friend of the family is a known quantity. You get to know him by proximity.”
I hum a noncommittal noise.
“So you’re happily married?” Susan asks as our drinks arrive.
I nod. “Quite.”
“That’s good because, take my word for it, you do not want to reenter the dating market if you can help it. I was in a three year long relationship that totally blew up. Even after three short years out of the scene, I feel like I’m trying to navigate a whole new world of men.” She glances around the table. “Is it just me or have men somehow gotten worse than they were a few years ago?”
“It isn’t you.” Lisa snorts. “They’re terrible. They either want a situationship or a mommy. I’m not up for either.”
“Amen,” Jade chimes in.
We’re in the middle of another conversation when Devlin walks through the door. He spots us and waves, but none of us acknowledge his presence. This doesn’t deter him. He grabs a beer at the bar and makes a beeline for us, pulling up a chair at our table.
“Hello, ladies.”
I’m beginning to realize that he has terrible social skills. The strange thing is, while he’s not uncomfortable, but everyone else around him is. Poor guy. No wonder he has a hard time making friends.
Jade empties her drink. “Well, I think I’ll call it a night.”
Devlin doesn’t get the hint. “How about one more drink? I’m buying.”
“That’s okay,” I say, trying to smooth over the situation, but also leave as soon as possible.
He glances at Lisa. “Come on, I just want to hang out for a few minutes.”
“Okay.” She folds. Which means we’re all stuck here because none of us would leave her on her own. Not tonight. Her date with Devlin this weekend is entirely another issue.
He grins, having won, then orders us another round of cocktails. Jade and Susan exchange a loaded glance. They’re not happy to be pressured into this. Neither am I. Lisa shrugs like there’s nothing she can do about it.
So we hunker down and make the best of it. Devlin dominates the conversation, going on and on about his boss, Scott, and how the man is such a womanizer. We all know this, of course, which is why we steer clear of the man. The agency’s newer models aren’t always so lucky.
Finally, I glance at the time on my phone and decide I’ve had enough. “Oh my god, it’s already seven o’clock, we need to hurry if we’re going to make our dinner reservations.”
Jade and Susan glance at me with understanding in their eyes. This is our excuse to escape.
Lisa seems lost.
“Oh? Where are we having dinner?” Devlin asks, perking up.
“Sorry,” I tell him, “but it’s a reservation for four and the restaurant’s sold out.” I gather my belongings. “Ladies, we can take my car. See you at work on Monday, Devlin.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t press for any more details—or follow us.
Susan, Jade, Lisa, and I head for the door as a unit, hurrying to get out of there and away from our co-worker. To see this charade through to its end, the four of us squeeze into the back seat of my waiting car.
“Drive,” I tell Finn. Kody shoots me a questioning glance but I shake my head at him. He shrugs, as if he really doesn’t care for an explanation to this turn of events.
“Are we really going to dinner?” Lisa asks.
“No. But, I mean, we could. If you all want.” I look to Jade and Susan.
