Chase: If your . . . body part . . . makes noises, I’m scared.
Mark watched me, smirk on his lips, as I slapped my face and laughed.
Chase: Back to food. Daydreaming abouttostonesisn’t weird.
Me: Oh, no. It is. It’s very concerning. You might need professional help.
Chase: I’m a lawyer. Iamprofessional help.
Chase: Just not the food addiction kind.
I was definitelysmiling now.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” Mark was practically vibrating with excitement. “It’s the hot lawyer.”
“His name is Chase.”
“I know his name. I took his order, remember? And now you’re texting him.” Mark made a grab for my phone. “What’s he saying?”
“Nothing—Mark, don’t—”
But Mark was faster and taller and had zero respect for personal boundaries. He snatched the phone out of my hand and held it above his head like we were twelve years old and fighting over a toy.
“‘I’m a lawyer. Iamprofessional help,’” Mark read aloud, his voice taking on an exaggerated formal tone. “Oh my God, he’s punning. He likes you so much he’s making terrible puns. Aren’t you two just the cutest thing?”
“Give me my phone—”
“He’s funny and clever. I like him.” Mark scrolled up, reading earlier messages. “Oh, this is good. This is very good. You’ve been texting?”
“Mark, I swear to God—”
“‘The Penalty Box was incredible,’” Mark read. “‘Almost as incredible as the bartender who recommended it.’ Finn! He called you incredible!”
My face was on fire. “That’s not—he was talking about Rod’sfood—”
“He was absolutelynottalking about Rod’s food.” Mark handed back my phone, glaring like he’d just uncovered state secrets. “You need to ask him out.”
“I’m not asking him out—”
“Why not?”
“Because—” I gestured helplessly. “Because the last time I tried dating it was a disaster. Because I barely have time to sleep, let alone date someone—”
My phone chimed again.
Chase: So when’s your next night off?
Chase: Asking for a friend.
Chase: The friend is me. I’m asking for me.
I stared at the screen.
Mark, reading over my shoulder because he was terrible, let out a whoop. “He’s asking you out! Get it!”
“I don’t have a night off—”
“You make the schedule. You can have any night off you want.”
