“You won’t need them,” Flip says confidently. “I have a fantastic first date planned, and you can ask Tally all about it after it happens.”
“What’s the dress code?” Shilpa, the team lawyer, fishes.
“That’s actually a good question.” And one I haven’t asked yet.
“You would look beautiful in a burlap sack,” Flip assures me.
“I don’t own one of those, so we can’t test that theory,” I quip.
“You have lots of pretty dresses, though.”
“Do not take Tally to glow-in-the-dark mini putt in a dress and heels.” Rix points a finger at her brother.
Flip gives her the side-eye. “As if I would do that.”
“You suck at mini putt.” Tristan smirks.
I jump in. “I don’t mind mini putt.”
“You can kick my ass in the future, but it will not be on our first date,” Flip replies.
It inspires conversation about best and worst dates from our friends. I don’t share my worst date, since I don’t want Hemi to sic her brothers on the guy, or for Flip to track him down and unalive him.
I down my cola in a hurry, mouth dry from all the anxiety of tonight.
“I’ll get you another.” Flip squeezes my hand and hops off his chair.
“Okay. Thanks.” I’m hyperaware of the way my friends’ significant others are casually affectionate with each other, and I don’t know what to do with my hands.
“You know we’re just giving him the gears because we love you, right?” Rix says.
“And also because Flip hasn’t been on an actual date since we were in high school,” Tristan adds.
“For real, though?” Quinn seems mystified.
“Pretty much. He had a girlfriend when we were at the Hockey Academy, right?” Dallas chimes in.
“That’s right,” Tristan confirms.
Before I can ask more questions about the high school girlfriend, Flip returns with my cola.
At the same time a pair of women approach.
I’m immediately on alert as they aim their wide smiles atFlip. “Hey!” The one with sandy blonde hair throws her arms around him. “It’s been forever!”
Flip freezes, jaw tight, along with the rest of his body.
She releases him. “You remember me, right?” She taps over her heart and winks. “Trinity.” This draws attention to her ample, enviable cleavage. Then she squeezes her friend’s shoulder. “And Tiffany.”
“Oh, fuck me.” Tristan wraps a protective arm around Rix and drops his head, whispering something in her ear.
My stomach sinks and twists. Flip shifts subtly, putting his body between me and the women.
Tiffany’s gaze shifts to Tristan, and she pales. She grabs Trinity’s arm and whispers something that makes her eyes flare.
Trinity’s smile turns wooden. “Sorry to interrupt,” she says. “It was nice to, uh… Have a good night.”
The two of them rush off, heads together.
