Even if this counted as a date, Laney Zelinski has only ever had two second dates.
Well, not intentionally.
There was the time my grandparents set me up with a guy, then forgot that they’d already had him over for dinner, inviting him again a month later. Things didn’t go well at the first dinner, so I’m amazed he came back again. Unlesshe forgot about the first time too.
Then again, some people can’t turn down a free meal.
The second time I had a second date was my ex-boyfriend, Tim the Tool, as I’ve called him for a while. I got a Hey Girl message and then went down the Tinder rabbit hole. I didn’t realize it was possible to be dating or talking to twenty-five girls at the same time. But maybe I was too busy to see the signs earlier.
I’ve been lost in my mind for too long because I blink and the three of them are already seated at the table, looking at me expectantly.
“Are you okay?” Jessa asks.
I push out a smile and wave a hand through the air. “So good.”
So much for those lessons on keeping my composure. Then again, I’ve been through a lot today.
They look at me as I take a seat on the very end of the bench, leaving at least eight inches between me and Burton.
“Let’s order and then we can talk about the event, sound good?” Clark asks, sliding a menu to Jessa.
“Perfect,” Burton says. “You’re paying for this, right, Clark? I mean, we’re all here because of you.” He grins, and Clark laughs.
“That’s true. I’ll pay, but you’ll have to earn it. Give me all the ideas to make this thebest kickoff party ever.”
Obviously, I don’t know these people well enough to know if they’re kidding, but I focus on the menu, finally getting my appetite back.
I’m not sure whether to be excited about this night’s trajectory or worry about what awaits me at my apartment.
CHAPTER 3
BURTON
We’ve finished eating. Well, I should say the other three finished, and I’m picking at what they’ve left on their plates. I didn’t want to order too much because I’d guilted Clark into paying, and I don’t want to be that guy.
I’m not typically a mooch, so I pull out my card when the server comes by with the check. It’s late enough that we don’t have to worry about people needing our spot, which makes it easier to stay longer and chat about ideas.
“I thought I was paying,” Clark says, batting my card away.
“That was a joke,” I say, pushing a little farther to the edge of the bench. It’s only asecond or two later that I realize I’ve monopolized most of the space on our side of the booth, meaning Laney is at the end of the seat so she doesn’t get squished.
“I can pay for my own as well,” she says, taking a wallet out of her purse.
Clark shakes his head. “No, I’ve got it. We’re here for something I asked, so this is on me.”
The server takes his card hesitantly and walks away. I look back at my wallet, searching for any cash I have to give him.
“I’ll send you some money through an app later,” I say.
“If you do, you’ll be sleeping on the floor,” Clark says.
“Then I’ve got the groceries for the next week.”
Clark shakes his head. “Your meal was like fifteen dollars. Groceries cost a lot more. You’re working for the money, just not physically.”
I shake my head. I should’ve kept my mouth shut from the beginning.
Once the bill is settled, Jessa takes out a notebook and a pen, poised to write.
