I turn to face her and lean against the wall near the women’s restroom. “It’s not your fault. You were only trying to help.”
“Marcus won’t mind at all if I take you home. I know you’ve had some drinks and you probably just want to get out of here.”
“I can get an Uber, Caroline, really. Will you just tell him I got ill? Say it was the salmon. He’ll probably buy it.”
She looks at me for a long time. “You can do so much better than Kade. This was a bad idea. He’s so into himself, it’s gross.”
Caroline’s newfound confidence is shining through so hard I feel like shouting, My work is done here!
“Thank you, C. I’m proud of you and happy for you and Marcus. You’re my best client yet.”
“Friend,” she says.
“Friend,” I repeat.
We hug and I escape through a side door. I look across the street and see that sign Blake had taken photos of. When my Uber arrives, I get in and dial his number. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Chapter 19
“Hey you,” he says.
“Hey.” I pause. He waits. “So, I’m in an Uber after just escaping a very bad date that Caroline set up for me.”
He laughs. “Oh, no, I’m sorry. You poor thing. Did you really have to escape?”
“Yes, I fled from the side door at Murphy’s.”
“That good ol’ side door.”
“Yes, when I left, I looked across the street at that sign we photographed, and I wondered what the hell you were up to.”
“Well, I’m sitting on my couch with my foot propped on a pillow and I’m watching Game of Thrones. Guess who’s about to be violently—”
“Don’t tell me. I’m only on the second season.” I couldn’t believe I was right. That’s actually what he’s been doing this whole time! Geez. It seems like deep down I knew exactly who he was all along. I don’t know why I ever doubted that we were right for each other.
“I won’t spoil it if you get yourself over here and watch it with me. I have tequila.”
“Is this like a booty call?”
“You called me, silly girl.” He thinks I’m funny. “So that would make you the booty caller.”
“That’s right.” I’m embarrassed, but I can find the humor in it. Suddenly emboldened, I ask, “So why haven’t you called me, Blake?”
A moment of silence passes. “I was waiting for exactly the right amount of time to pass for you to realize how much you missed me.”
He’s playing. “Who’s taking care of you these days?”
“You want to take care of me, Hayden?” His voice is low and sexy but it makes me laugh.
The driver must think I’m insane. “No, I mean, who’s helping you?”
“I’m actually okay. On stupid crutches, but my knee is fine enough. I’m fully operational in other ways, though.” I can almost see him smirking.
“Blake,” I scold. “I don’t want to know how many times you’ve tested that theory.”
“Not a theory—a fact. And anyway, I’m just saying, I can make a mean bag of microwave popcorn. Get your cute little face over here.”
“You think now that you and Caroline are broken up you can unabashedly flirt with me?”
