Wonderful. He’d have to have a word with his personal assistant. Quin may be his closest kin, but that didn’t give Herb the right to hand out Ben’s personal information. Didn’t he have any idea what a brother could do with first-date screwups? There’d be teasing for months.
Angry because I was late,he texted.
Serves you right.
Shut up.
His stomach rumbled. The salad hadn’t made an appearance yet, and his nerves had calmed considerably. He thought back to the eleven-o’clock lunch of cold cuts on dry bread with fondness. He’d take another one of those pathetic sandwiches if it would curb his growing hunger pains.
Now that he was aware of how hungry he was, he couldn’t stop thinking about food. Avery’s fries looked especially amazing. They smelled spicy and had his mouth watering. He’d grab one, just to taste. If he liked them, he’d order his own plate.
He snatched a fry and popped it in his mouth.
“Hey.” Avery slid into her seat with a grace few women possessed.
“Hey,” he replied, trying to chew without being obvious.
She tipped her head to the side and glanced to the empty table in front of him. “Did you … eat my food?”
“Um …” He chewed some more. The back of his eyes started to burn. He sucked in air and his throat itched. He cursed silently. This felt like an allergic reaction. “What’s on those?” He reached for his water, tipping the cup way, way back to get the last of the liquid. The ice clinked together and then landed against his lips.
She leaned away from him. “They’re Cajun.”
He spit the fry and water out in surprise, showering Avery. She lifted her arms to the side her face a mask of horror and shock.
He didn’t have time to apologize. He grabbed her glass, took a large drink, swished and spit it into his cup. He gargled the next mouthful. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Avery wiping her face with her napkin. He’d never live this down. He stumbled to his feet. The itching had slowed, but he needed to the epi in his glove box just in case. “I have to go.”
“You’releavingme?!” Her voice was high and loud in the quiet, muted restaurant. He didn’t care; he was the fool.
“Sorry.” He took off, rounding the partition and slamming into the server. His salad and a carafe of water hit the floor. “Sorry,” he muttered as he pushed open the glass door and surged into the night. His throat was holding steady at itchy and slightly swollen. He might be able to just take a pill and avoid the epi.
The street was crowded with couples and groups going to dinner or to drink. His car was at the Hotel Ballard across the street. He needed to slow it down; a calm heart was the first defense against an allergy like his.Stupid!He knew better than to eat red spices without asking.
He walked through the lobby, waving off the concierge as he beelined it for the elevator to the garage. Soft music played in the background—the kind that reminded him of clinking crystal and golden flatware. Once he was in his car, had taken an allergy pill, and felt like he might just survive physically, he about died of embarrassment. Hopefully, Dawson didn’t hear about this.
Chapter Five
Avery
There werechunkson the front of her shirt. Avery tried not to freak out. She was a mother. She’d cleaned up all sorts of bodily fluids in her day. Walker had done his worst, and she’d survived. She’d get through this. She tried breathing through her nose to slow things down. The room spun, and people ran back and forth from the kitchen.
Three guys rushed out to help clean up the mess her date had made on the way out. A mop appeared for the water and a broom to sweep up the salad. They made sure her server was okay. She brushed them off and rushed to Avery’s side.
“Here.” She pulled several wet wipes in small packets out of her apron. “For your face.”
Avery laughed sadly. “I feel like I should know your name.”
She smiled. “Hope.”
Avery laughed again, a little lighter this time. “That’s appropriate. Thanks, Hope.” She ripped open a wipe and mopped her face, not caring if her makeup survived.
“Don’t mention it. I can’t believe that guy.” Hope opened several other wipes, pointing at places Avery had missed.
“This is, by far, the worst date in history.”
Hope’s lips went into a straight line. “I’d argue, but I’ve never been spit on.” They met gazes and burst into laughter. Hope finally settled into Walker’s empty seat. “I’d offer you a to-go box, but I don’t think you want that.”
Her burger bun was a soggy mess.
