The more Reed smiled, the more uncomfortable Brad became with this fake relationship.By this time the next day, the truth would be out there.He just had to hope that Reed was so happy with the surprise party that he overlooked the fact that him dating Abby was nothing more than a white lie.
“Hey, I have an idea.”Reed had that look in his eyes that always worried Brad.“After dinner, we should head over to Sonny’s Jukebox for some music and dance.”
Brad was shaking his head before Reed finished speaking.
“Oh, come on.”Reed smiled as his gaze moved between him and Abby.“It’ll be good practice for the wedding.”
Brad was ready to come clean.After all, this charade was getting ridiculous.And if he didn’t know better, he’d bet that Reed was onto them.His friend was really pushing this dating thing when it had to be obvious to everyone else at the table that he and Abby would not make a good couple.
“This is great,” Reed said.“Just think that soon you guys can be as happy as Sadie and I are.”
Abby choked on her soda.She handled it better than he would have because if he had a mouthful of soda when Reed spoke, he probably would have sprayed cola across the table.
That was it.He was calling an end to this charade.“Listen, Reed, it’s not like you’re thinking.”
Reed’s eyes lit up with amusement.“Relax.I’m just giving you a hard time.I know you two are just getting to know each other.But I owed you for skipping out early on my engagement weekend.”
Brad and the two ladies took a collective sigh.Even as Reed assured Sadie that he’d let up on them, Brad still had to wonder if Reed was onto them.Or maybe he was just overanalyzing things.It was a casualty of his profession.
Maybe if he’d stayed in the office instead of flying to Vermont for the holidays, he could have stopped the attack before any damage had been done.Maybe they wouldn’t have spent many weeks repairing their system and putting in place new safeguards.
Speaking of which, he reached for his phone.It was set up to send him hourly updates about the system’s security.People wouldn’t believe how often the bots attempted to breach their system.
“Relax,” Reed said.“The company will survive while you’re out of the office.And I promise to stop giving you a hard time so you can quit frowning.”
Brad returned the phone to his pocket.He sent his friend a slight smile.
Just then the server stopped by their table and began clearing the dishes.When she placed the check on the table, both Reed and himself reached for it.Reed was a split second faster than he was.
“I’ll pay.”Brad held out his hand.
Reed shook his head.“You’re a guest.I’ve got this.”
“At least let me pay for Abby and myself.”
“Hey,” Abby objected.“I can pay for myself.Thank you very much.”
The next thing he knew, everyone at the table was tossing cash into the center of the table.At least their server was going to get a generous tip.
Reed smiled and shook his head.“So much for a guy trying to do something nice for his friends.”
They made their way outside, and everyone piled into Abby’s car for the short drive to the Jukebox.He wasn’t sure what to expect with a name like that.
Brad wanted to call an end to the evening.This felt way too much like a real double date.Sure, Abby was good-looking, better than good-looking.But they would never make a couple.They were too… He struggled for a reason.
She was too small town.And he was too big city.That’s all the reason he needed.
What was wrong with him?
Abby was glad this wasn’t a real date because she would have made an excuse and left already.He looked like he was waiting in the dentist’s office to have all of his teeth extracted.
How could Reed believe his best friend was there to see her, when Brad hadn’t said a word to her since they’d stepped inside Sonny’s Jukebox?
He could have at least made small talk about the fifties décor.With the black and white tile floor, the aqua and white vinyl booths, and the pink walls with a whole host of memorabilia, there was a lot to talk about.There were even neon pink lights going around the edge of the ceiling.This place was…perhaps a decorator’s nightmare.
Still, Brad said nothing.Maybe she could plead a problem at the coffeeshop.Then she checked the time on her watch and realized it was already closed.She doubted anyone would believe that excuse anyway.The coffeeshop never had emergencies.
Finally, she excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.Sadie tagged along.As they touched up their lip gloss, Sadie asked, “What’s going on with you and Brad?”
