“What’s the big deal? They sell delicious food, and the owners are nice.”
Standing under the bright entryway lights, the girl I splashed around in baby pools with looks every bit my date for tonight, and I’d be a liar to claim otherwise. The black bodycon dress she’s wearing hits mid-thigh while hot-pink sandals match hernail polish perfectly. She’s kept her hair in the tight, low bun she was wearing when I showed up at her place, which surprises me since I’ve only ever seen it around her shoulders.
It’s clear that work Drew is very different from the girl I’ve only encountered in social circles. I could sense it from the email she’d sent me to arrange a meeting, which I absolutely wasn’t going to have in an office on her twenty-first birthday.
Who the fuck doesn’t go out and celebrate a huge milestone like that?
Drew Callaghan is who.
Maybe I shouldn’t have called her Baby earlier, although I couldn’t help it. She’s always thought I was unprofessional, so I might as well go the whole way with a cutesy nickname.
“Mr. Jones,” the server who waited on my table last week immediately greets me before guiding us to a table set at the back of the plush restaurant.
I like the vibe in The Loft.Dark blue tablecloths, low-level lighting, and candles on the tables give it an exclusive feel, which goes with their insanely expensive menu.
The server’s eyes track to Drew as he pulls out a cream chair for her, and she takes a seat opposite me.
“Are we celebrating tonight?” he asks, adjusting the white towel over his arm.
I’m half tempted to call Drew Baby again and explain that we’re on a date, but I think better of it at the final second. I don’t doubt that she’d follow through with her threat and shove a can of whipped cream up my ass.
I tip my chin at Drew right as, “No,” leaves her lips, and I say, “Tomorrow is Drew’s birthday, so we’ll take a bottle of your best champagne.”
With a tight nod and a, “Happy birthday,” the server makes for the bar, leaving two unimpressed eyes boring into my skull as I examine the menu.
“The steaks here are really good and all grass-fed.”
“Are you for real?” Drew’s tone of voice tears my eyes away from the menu.
“Huh?”
“I said, are you for real?” she repeats. “You know I’m not twenty-one until tomorrow, so technically, I can’t drink alcohol until then.”
Closing the menu because I already know I’m having the mignon, I clasp my hands together and study her right as the server returns with a champagne bucket. He takes the bottle and pops the cork. Another server sets a bottle of water in the center of the table, along with two champagne flutes and two water glasses.
After he’s filled our water glasses, the server goes to fill my champagne glass, and I set a hand over the top.
“Only for the birthday girl tonight,” I tell him, earning me a glare from across the table.
I probably shouldn’t be smirking at Drew as the server pours the champagne and asks her to taste it.
“Yeah, it’s really nice. Thank you.”
He fills her glass to the top, sets the bottle in the ice bucket, and leaves, confirming he’ll be back to take our food order in a moment.
Silence descends on our table as I pick up my water glass and hold it out in front of me.
“Happy twenty-first birthday, Baby.”
Full, peach-stained lips roll together. “You just couldn’t help it, could you?”
I grin around the rim of my water glass. “Loosen up a bit, Drew. No one here knows you’re only twenty, and they think you’re my date, so I doubt any questions will be asked.”
She leans forward and whisper-hisses, “And that’s precisely the problem—I’m not your date. In fact, as of yesterday, you’reofficially my client, and within the space of twenty-four hours”—she casts a hand over the table—“I’m sitting opposite you in a tight black dress with a whole-ass bottle of champagne while everyone around us thinks we’re banging!”
I just grin again because this is way too much fucking fun. “I don’t personally see a problem. Let people think what they want. The staff here doesn’t gossip.”
Drew’s head lolls forward, an exasperated noise leaving her lips. “Since we’re here, I might as well lay some ground rules.”
