Angie waved him away like an annoying fly. Arthur bolted from his seat and sprinted for the door.
“Why are there so many of us here? This was an easy job,” Angie said.
“Tink was here as muscle. You were here to control the video and audio. Harrison was here to keep you from getting hit on,” Paige said through comms. “Addison sweet-talked Graham into including her and Nash so they could get their dinner paid for.”
“Ooh, putting that psych degree to work by manipulating the boss. Nice,” Angie said.
“I heard that,” Graham said.
“Someone had to be here to smooth things over with the manager. Besides, we’re expensing it to the client.” Addison raised a glass of wine in their direction before taking out her earpiece.
“Tink, Graham will meet you in the lobby to get the packet,” Paige said. “Y’all are clear for the night. We’ll debrief tomorrow—nine a.m.”
Harrison held out his hand and slapped Tink on the back. “I’m hanging around. I made reservations for me and my girl. I’ll catch y’all tomorrow.”
Angie joined Tink and slid her arm through his. “So…where are you taking her?”
Tink glanced down at her. He wanted to be annoyed at her meddling, but she was as much a sister to him as Dani was. Not that they weren’t both annoying most of the time.
“I don’t know yet.”
Angie tugged on his arm. “What do you mean you don’t know? You have to know. And you have to tell her where you’re taking her.”
“Why? I asked if she had any allergies.”
Angie stared at him like he’d said the moon was a giant helium balloon. “Because she has to plan what to wear.”
“What does it matter what she wears?” He was thoroughly confused. This was the book thing all over again—which he still didn’t understand.
“What does it—? Graham, tell him.”
Graham sauntered up to them. “You gotta tell her where you’re taking her. At the very least, you need to tell her to dress nice or casual.”
Tink pulled the packet from his jacket and handed it over. “How do you even know what we’re talking about?”
Graham took the envelope and tapped a finger in front of his ear. He saluted with the envelope and left.
Tink scowled and yanked the device out and handed it to Angie. Stupid earpieces.
Angie released his arm and faced him. “If she dresses up and you show up in jeans and one of your black tees, it’s going to be awkward and embarrassing, especially for her. Same goes if you show up in this and she’s in jeans and a tee.” She gestured to his suit.
“This is why I don’t date—too many fucking rules.”
“The rules are easy. Number one.” She held up her pointer finger. “Pick the restaurant, unless she invites you out. Don’t ask her what she feels like or where she wants to go. Number two, tell her where or tell her how to dress: black tie, dressy, casual, or plan on getting dirty. Three.” She continued to tick off fingers. “Be gentlemanly but take her lead on opening doors. Number four, don’t get smashed. No one likes a sloppy date. Number five, be yourself, be honest, but don’t tell her your whole life story.”
He stiffened at that last rule.
Angie placed her hands on his shoulders. “That’s not what I meant. No one wants to hear their date’s baggage on the first date, regardless of what it is. Guarantee there are going to be things she doesn’t share with you right away. Some things take trust, and that takes time.”
This was getting complicated. He’d asked Abby out on a whim. Hell, he couldn’t even explain why he’d ridden to the school to see her again. Some compulsion had him checking his watch and pointing his bike toward West Ashley instead of home.
He hadn’t actually thought she’d get in touch with him, and he’d already decided he wouldn’t try to track down her info. She was a SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP, and he was not. He should cancel and save them both the hassle.
“Don’t,” Angie said.
“Don’t what?”
“Cancel. Don’t try to deny it, either. I can see it on your face. Something told you to ask this woman out on an actual date. And Harrison was right, you’ve been smiling to yourself all night.” Her gaze softened. “Give yourself a chance, Christian—you deserve it.”
