Rizzo escorted them into the restaurant before disappearing. Most likely to the bar, where he could drink a soda and watch the door. At least that was what Lex had done when Blaise went out with friends.
The interior was dark with brick walls, hardwood floors, and overhead lights strategically placed. Flickering candles in jars provided more atmosphere than illumination. A din of customers’ conversations sounded over instrumental music.
A hostess led them to a private dining space. Three couples sat at the large square table. Only two spaces on one side remained empty. What about…
“Where are Dash and Wes?” Blaise asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
“Wes is spending the weekend in Hood Hamlet,” Adam said.
Kieran lowered his pint of beer. “Dash is at a video game conference.”
Blaise muttered under his breath. He shot a pointed look at Mason. “You said everyone would be here.”
“I thought they would be.” Mason’s smile was more of a smirk.
Blaise’s throat constricted. He and Hadley should have stayed home tonight.
“What does it matter?” Mason asked. “They met your girlfriend on Sunday. Now it’s our turn. Hadley, isn’t it?”
“Hadley Lowell,” she said without missing a beat. If she was disappointed Wes and Dash weren’t here, she didn’t show it. “Are you Kieran or Mason?”
Everyone introduced themselves. Mason, of course, went first and then his wife, Rachael. Next was Kieran and his wife, Selah.
Adam leaned back. “Good to see you again.”
Cambria motioned to the empty chairs. “Take a seat.”
Hadley sat first and then Blaise did. Remembering what Rizzo had said in the car, Blaise poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.
She stared up at him through her eyelashes. “Thanks.”
His heart bumped.
“It’s great to meet you, Hadley.” Mason placed his arm around his wife. “None of us knew Blaise was dating someone or we would have invited you to our wedding.”
“It’s new,” Blaise answered for her.
She nodded in agreement. “No plus-one necessary.”
Blaise smiled at her, pleased how she fit in right away. The same as she had on Sunday. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Must be hard,” Mason said.
“What do you mean?” Blaise asked.
“A long-distance relationship.” Mason’s smirk returned which meant one thing—he was up to something. “Not sure how you manage it. Especially with Hadley’s matchmaking firm having offices in New York and San Francisco. When do you see each other?”
Blaise froze. A simple search would pull up Hadley’s information, but he hadn’t expected Mason to be so nosey. That wasn’t like the guy. And then Blaise remembered the garter toss. This must be his friend’s way of getting even. He sighed.
Brought this on myself, but winning the bet will be worth it.
The person he felt bad for was Hadley. He got that his friends would have questions, but she didn’t deserve an inquisition.
“You created the Talk-View-Text app, right?” Hadley asked before Blaise could say anything.
Mason beamed like a proud daddy. Talk-View-Text, AKA TVT, was one of the hottest social media apps on the market. The success of the IPO had shocked everyone. “I did.”
“Now his head will be even larger,” Adam teased.
