Me: Have you spoken to this guy before? How could you possibly think we’d be a good fit?
Kate: Dale kept asking me if I knew anyone to set his brother up with. Now, he’ll stop bugging me and you’re out of the house with someone besides me or Paige. What’s the big deal?
I strolled back to our table and took a deep breath, praying for the strength and patience to get through this favor for Kate. She was one hundred percent right; there was no way on Earth I ever would have agreed to this if she asked.
“Sorry, I had to check on my son.” I slid into my seat and took a sip of wine, hoping for a buzz to make the rest of this evening somewhat tolerable.
“You have kids?” Chad’s mouth twisted in disgust as he motioned the waitress over for another brandy. I guessed we still weren’t eating anytime soon.
“Yes, a little boy. He’s six, although sometimes I think he’s going on thirteen—”
“How do you deal with that?” Chad squinted as he leaned his elbows against the table.
“Deal with what?” My brows pinched as I tried to figure out what he meant.
“The people I know who have kids,everythingrevolves around them. I like to go where I want, when I want, without worrying about what to do with a kid. I never understood people who have kids and basically ruin their lives.”
And . . . It was time to make my exit.
“Sorry, Chad. But I’m going to have to cut tonight short. I’m not feeling so well, so I should probably just go home.” I popped out of my chair so fast it almost crashed to the floor.
Chad shrugged with a grunt. “I guess I should take you home—”
What a gentleman.“Not necessary. I’ll arrange for an Uber and be home in no time. Stay; this is the best Thai restaurant in the Bronx. Enjoy.” I shrugged on my jacket and grabbed my purse. “Goodnight, and sorry,” I yelled over my shoulder as I sprinted out the door and across the street to Mario’s Restaurant.
Sighing at the tremendous relief at not being in Chad’s presence anymore, I picked up a takeout menu from the counter and leaned against the wall. I was so sick of everyone’s “you have to get back out there” speech. How many times did I have to make it clear that I didn’t want to be out there?
“Ellie?” Too engrossed in my own thoughts, I jumped at the sound of my name.
“Nick? Hey, good to see you.”
His mouth spread into a warm smile.
“You, too. I’m picking up some takeout. After a double shift at the firehouse, I’m too lazy to cook anything. Pizza and the Yankee game are my big plans for tonight.” He grinned at me with a chuckle.
“Sounds like heaven. I just escaped a bad date.”
Nick laughed as his dark eyes widened. “From the app? You actually met up with someone?”
“No, someone my sister forced on me. We went to the Thai restaurant across the street, and I bolted when I couldn’t take it anymore. It’s my family’s mission to make sure I don’t die alone, but the alternative I just met doesn’t seem much better.”
Nick shut his eyes and nodded. “My family hates that I’m single too. They mean well, but—”
“Yeah, exactly. What’s good here besides the pizza?” I asked Nick as I perused the menu. I felt a twinge of guilt at making Kate look bad, but then I remembered the sneer on Chad’s face when I mentioned my son. Wasting any more time on him than I already had was pointless.
“If you want,” Nick rubbed the back of his neck, “we could eat together, and I could give you a ride home. Unless you’re in a rush to get home—”
“No, I’m actually starving. But I don’t want to put you out or anything.”
“Not at all. I feel a little underdressed compared to you, though.” Nick’s eyes made a quick trip down my body, over my simple black shift dress, before darting back to meet my gaze. Instead of being embarrassed or offended, it put a wide grin on my face. I reveled in being on the receiving end of a good-looking man’s attention and resolved to shelve the guilt about it at least until I finished my dinner.
The gray T-shirt and worn jeans molded to him perfectly like everything else he wore—including the Scout uniform shirt that I absolutely never noticed pull across his broad chest during every single meeting.
“Well then, let’s eat.” I nodded to the empty tables inside. I exhaled to slow my racing pulse. It was just dinner. What could happen?
A lot. And nothing I was close to ready for.
“Really? You’re kidding?” I sipped the cocktail special I had already forgotten the name of and squinted at Nick.
