“I may have come on a little too strong initially and not in the best way.” I chuckle and tell him my plans for the night and how I arranged our date without her knowing I’m here. After a hearty laugh, he leaves me to wait for my redheaded beauty, but not before wishing me luck.
And boy, will I need it.
15
SURPRISE
Poppy
I’m feeling all sorts of stupid as I walk into the restaurant. It’s weird going out alone. The only thing I can come up with is that we’ll FaceTime each other during dinner, which is equally strange, especially in a place like Plonk that has no privacy.
I guess it’s one way to have a long-distance date, but then, is that what this is… a date? I have no idea, but I’m about to find out since I just texted Braden to let him know I’m here.
After giving my name to the hostess, I’m led to a low oblong table with a couch on one side and two plush chairs on the other. Strange to take up such a large space for one person, but at least I won’t be right next to someone while I’m on the phone.
Moments after being seated, the waiter arrives, saying a bottle of champagne has been pre-ordered and asks if I’d like it now or to start with something else. Hm, the night might not be so bad after all. Though I’m still unsure what to make of it.
It’s been a week since I’ve been talking with Braden, and it’s strange how different we started out. Rather than date before doingthe deed, we did the deed, and now we’re dating. Although I’m not sure if reading together or phone sex is considered dating. We might need to backtrack a bit. But why bother when we live so far away?
And what about Owen? He’s everything I would want, except I have no idea what he looks like. It’s one thing to get to know somebody that you’ve seen pictures of and be nervous they may not live up to them, but another thing altogether not to have a clue what to expect.
I’m still feeling guilty for talking to two people at once, but Matt and Cici are right, this is just part of the process. It’s not like we’re serious. I haven’t even gone on a date with either of them, so both situations have issues.
The waiter interrupts my thoughts, arriving with the champagne, a bucket, and two glasses.
“Oh, I’m here alone,” I say, embarrassed as he sets it down.
He looks at me quizzically. “Hm. Somehow, I had this down as a table for two.”
“Nope, just me,” I restate, becoming more uncomfortable by the minute.
“I’m sorry, Miss. I apologize for the misunderstanding,” he says as he pops the bottle and proceeds to fill one glass. “Enjoy that for now, and I’ll be back with a cheese tray that’s finishing up.”
“Thank you,” I say, instantly impressed that Braden had all this set up. He doesn’t exactly strike me as the thoughtful type, which makes me wonder what he’s up to.
I’m thankful for the champagne, but I'm beginning to feel even more awkward being alone. It shouldn’t bother me so much since the restaurant side is nearly empty. But I’ve been here for ten minutes already with no response from Braden, and it’s making me antsy. I’ve never been the one to reach out first to either him or Owen.
Maybe that’s one of my problems. Should I be more forward? Not that I would ever need to be with Braden—he’s forwardenough for both of us. Plus, that’s not what this is between us, so I shouldn’t even be stressing about it.
I’m preoccupied as I stare at my phone, impatiently waiting, when someone approaches from the side. Turning my head, expecting the waiter, my jaw drops to see Braden in the flesh. The first thing to hit me is how unbelievably hot he is in a suit with his signature sexy smirk, and immediately following that thought isutter confusion.
“What are you doing here?” I stammer.
“I had a meeting in Bozeman and wanted to surprise you,” he says with a devastating smile.
If the smirk was sexy, the smile is downright sinful.
“Wow. This is… crazy.”
Some sense of manners returns, and I stand to hug him in greeting. This is so weird. The last time we were together was in bed, and we weren’t alone for part of it. Just thinking about it makes me flush.
He whispers in my ear. “Hopefully, it’s a good crazy.”
I’m still too shocked to respond with anything clever so I stay silent. As soon as we pull apart, he sits on the couch next to me, and the waiter appears with the glass he removed moments ago.
“Ah, so there are two of you this evening,” he says while filling it with champagne. “I’ll check on that cheese tray and have it out shortly.”
Braden thanks him before returning his attention to me and raising his flute in a toast. “To new beginnings.”
