“You could sit right here, near the front window, and watch for your party?” she suggested, indicating a round table to our left.
It was a good idea, and we took our seats and accepted menus. A moment later, a server came and took our drinkorders, but we told him we would wait for our date to order lunch. His arched brow and grin made me realize it might be unusual for three males to wait for a shared date…but he didn’t comment.
Our drinks arrived, and we sipped at them and waited, starting to get nervous. Blitz never took his gaze off the door, and Comet studied the menu as if it held the secrets of the universe. Finally, I pulled out my phone to send a text. Maybe something was wrong? She could have had an accident on the way?
Aideen scooted in the door, Blitz already on his feet to pull out her chair. Comet and I rose as well. “Aideen, it’s so good to meet you,” I said. We would recognize her from her picture anywhere.
“I’m so sorry. I had a last-minute project and all these video meetings and…”
We hurried to reassure her that we hadn’t minded waiting at all, and what could have been awkward became laughter.
Chapter Nine
Aideen
This day of all days, I was given an emergency project. One that had to be done and came with the gift of multiple video meetings. I hated those. Almost 100 percent of the time, meetings could be an email or even a document. Instead, I got stuck looking at people’s faces, people I didn’t know, all listening to one guy drone on about inconsequential things.
Again, all of it could’ve been an email.
Thank goodness I chose a place close to the office. Still, I left the building ten minutes after our lunch was supposed to begin.
What an impression to make. I practically sprinted to the café. I arrived panting and frantic, scanning the place. I didn’t have to look far. All three of them stood and smiled at me like I was on time and not looking like a hot mess.
“Aideen, it’s so good to meet you,” Dash said. I’d studied their pictures enough that I knew their faces.
“I’m so sorry. I had a last-minute project and all these video meetings and…” My work revolved around medical billing which was boring at best. I proceeded to apologize and scramble for any words that would make them stay instead of abandoning me like I thought they might after I’d been so late.
“Aideen,” Blitz said. He reached for me but then retracted his hand. I almost let out a whimper. I wanted him to execute that touch so badly. “Everything is okay. We all are late once in a while. We’ve only been waiting about fifteen minutes. Please, sit down.”
It usually took me a minute to calm down once I’d messed something up, but instantly his words and tone and sweet smile made everything in me loosen up.
“Oh. Thank you.”
Comet said nothing. He offered a smile, but it wasn’t as bright as the others. I didn’t blame him.
“Why didn’t you call?” he finally said. The others gave him a look, but it was a valid question.
“I forgot to charge my phone last night, and there’s some weird office rule that we can’t take our phones into meetings. Also, they don’t want us charging them there.”
“I see. Should we order? Are you hungry?” Dash changed the subject.
“Sure.” I always ordered the same thing. Their quiche Lorraine was fabulous, and I ordered that with a side of greens and roasted carrots. The boys chose big sandwiches and an extra plate of sweet potato fries for the table to share. Everyone got the peach iced tea after I recommended it, whatever they’d been drinking before abandoned.
“Do you often have video meetings and frantic schedules?” Comet was the first to take a bite, but not until I started. Maybe that was a shifter thing. Either that, or I hadn’t been around a true gentleman in so long that I forgot good manners.
“No. This was a once-in-six-months kind of thing. Usually my work is tedious, if I’m honest.”
“That’s a shame.” Dash took one of the fries and nudged the plate closer to me. “Everyone should find joy in their work.”
“Do you?” I asked. “I mean, it would be impossible not to. Toy making must be nothing but fun.”
Blitz nodded. “We enjoy our jobs. Both of them.”
Both of them? “I thought you only owned the toy shop?”
“We also have a seasonal job. Enough about work. Tell us what you like to do for fun.”
While I went on about all the things I loved to do, things that made me happy, I realized I’d fallen into the habit of doing none of those things. Ever.
