I hurry into the bathroom in my office and glance in the mirror.I look insane.My hair is a wild mess and there’s a coffee stain on my blouse.I don’t even know when that happened.I frown at myself before quickly grabbing a brush and trying my hardest to fix my hair.
Dad always told me to keep a spare set of clothes in my office and everything else I need to get cleaned up for a meeting.Him, Uncle Parker, and Uncle Luke put showers in their office bathrooms so if they needed to clean up, they had the freedom to.It seems crazy, but I’ve utilized it more than I care to admit.
Right now, I don’t have time to shower, but I can at least fix my hair and change my clothes.
I slip into the dress I have and smile when it looks better than I thought it would.It doesn’t scream ‘I came straight from the office’ and that makes me feel a little bit better.After touching up my makeup, I grab my purse and hurry out of the building.I'm going to be late, but not by much.
I tug my phone out and fire off a text to Covey.I don’t want him thinking I stood him up and I don’t want him to worry.
Cici: I'm running late, but I'm on my way.I got stuck in the office longer than I expected.
It takes me about ten minutes to get to the restaurant and when I do, I scan the area and don’t see him.I check my texts and it shows as delivered, but not read.
“Can I help you?”The hostess smiles sweetly at me.
“Hi, I'm meeting someone here.The reservations should be under Ron Covey.Is he here yet?”
“Let me see…” She scrolls on the tablet, searching for his name.“I see Mr.Covey had a reservation for ten minutes ago, but he hasn’t arrived yet.Do you want me to seat you and you can wait for him?”
I glance around at the packed restaurant and frown.Covey should’ve been here by now and if not, he should’ve texted me.
“Um… No.I’ll give him a call and see how much longer he’s going to be.I don’t want to take up a table.”I smile like my heart isn’t breaking and hurry over to the bar and take a seat on an empty stool.
Cici: Are you still coming?
“What can I get for you, beautiful?”The bartender grins at me.
He’s handsome with dark hair and an olive complexion.His hair is slicked back and there’s a thick layer of stubble on his jaw.Instead of making him look messy and unkempt, he somehow looks more attractive with it.
“Can I have a whiskey neat?”
“Of course.”His smile widens and his honey eyes sparkle under the dim lighting.“You know, I don’t get many women asking for whiskey.”
“Well, I'm not most women.”I smile back.I know he’s only flirting to get better tips, but right now I'm feeling pretty crappy and I’ll accept his pathetic flirting because it will make me feel slightly better about myself.
“You must be special.Who are you meeting here tonight?”
“Who says I'm meeting anyone?”I glance down at my texts again, confirming he still hasn’t read my message.
“Well, people tend not to check their phones that often unless they’re waiting for someone.”He slides my drink across the dark wood and watches me carefully.“A boyfriend?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“A husband, then?”
“Nope.Single as can be.”I hold up my left hand to show my empty ring finger.
“Dang.How are men so stupid?”He winks at me.
Someone waves to get his attention.He lifts a hand, silently telling them he’ll be one second.He leans down and rests his forearms on the bar so he’s eyelevel with me.
“Don’t leave before I get to talk to you again, ok?”
“Ok,” I whisper.
He watches me for one more moment before he hurries to the other side of the bar to serve another customer.I let out a sigh and turn my attention to my phone.
I dial Covey’s number and it goes straight to voicemail.I try again, but no such luck.After checking my text again and seeing he still hasn’t read it, I debate on calling Cord to see if everything is ok, but I decide against it.
