We order an assortment of appetizers. Dawson is off tonight from his role as Captain Nutrition Plan. Reluctantly, but not really. He reads over the menu and then advises which dishes would be most suitable.
“Just shut it for a night,” Jax groans.
“You had two bowls of rocky road last night,” Dawson chirps back.
“And? Watch me do it again tonight.”
I reach forward, dipping pita into one of the three dip cauldrons. The chip starts to crack under the weight of my scoop.
“You’re telling me you’d rather have ketchup shooting out of your pointer finger than hot sauce?” Jaxon posed the ridiculous question and I guess didn’t like Chase’s answer.
Chase’s response is muffled as if I’m suddenly underwater.
I feel her before I see her.
My attention is torn away from the conversation. Over Dawson’s shoulder—he’s sitting across from me. So while his mouth moves to give his answer, I hear nothing. My attention barely focused on him, but her—she’s walking in.
Zach has a hand on the door, holding it open for her. His other hand is on her lower back. I read her lips,Thank you,before he leads her to the hostess stand. Then again, hand still on her lower back, to their table.
In my line of sight.
Someone upstairs must want me to see the results of my labor, or dangling the future I want in front of my face.
He pulls out her seat. Hands her a menu. Checks all the boxes of being a perfect gentleman. And by her reactions, I surmise she’s enjoying every second of it.
However, I am not.
I must be staring.
The rest of the table turns their heads or leans to gaze around a supporting beam.
“Is that Sutton with Zach?” Chase questions.
“Why is she with him? Did you know about this?” Jaxon asks.
“Yeah.” I take a swig of my light beer. Then another.
It dawns on Jaxon. Demeanor brightens as he says, “Our speed dating practice worked? Hell yeah.”
They pester me with questions, wanting more information about our other lessons. I tell them about most of them, leaving out the part about our kiss.
“I still can’t believe you’ve never snogged her,” Jaxon says around a bite. He’s been watching a British dating show and keeps dropping their slang.
“We did.”
Dawson spits out his beer. “You kissed?”
So much for leaving out the kiss.
“Do not tell her I told you,” I say sternly.
“I knew you had a hickey the other week.” Jaxon sets down his fork. “Now, I’m confused. You two kissed and have been hanging out, but she’s here with Zach?”
“We aren’t hanging out,” I growl. The frustration behind it is directed more at me than them. Maybe even slightly at her. “Can we forget that she’s here?”
Chase changes the subject. “Did you see the game last night between Toronto and Florida?”
Between songs, the entire place fills with laughter. Her laughter.
