“What did it say?” Shane is completely invested, as am I. Simone is a born storyteller, she just captivates everyone when she speaks.
“Sorry, had to mow the lawn.” The entire table rumbles with laugher, as do I. Simone has told me a few rare tales of her time as an Army medic and a volunteer nurse in a Charlotte ER. But none quite as funny as that.
“Sounds like you have a colorful job.” Chase rests his elbows on the table, clearly comfortable in Simone’s presence.
“It definitely has its moments.” She shrugs, retreating back to the woman I recognize. Reserved, with an understated, aristocratic air of confidence. “I really just like helping people.”
“Extremely noble.” Shane comments.
“Humbling, really.” Simone fiddles with her fork.
“Well, you know what I think?” Chase shares his opinion.Oh, shit.“That you are the first woman Ty has brought around that I actually like.”
I nearly choke. Is Chase out to cockblock me?
“Has Ty brought a lot of women around?” Simone fishes.
Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit.
“A ton.” Shane gets in on the action.
Motherfucker. Time to intervene. Just as I make my presence known, Jenn appears with a plate full of conch fritters. Now there’s one person I never thought would come to my rescue, but here she is shooing Shane and Chase away so Simone and I can continue with our date.
“Thanks for keeping her company,” I eye Shane and Chase. They both look guilty as hell and I know why.
“Anytime, man. You’ve got a keeper here.” Chase slaps me on the back hard. He’s much larger than both Shane and myself and can pack a punch when he wants to. Or slap, in this case.
“So glad she has your seal of approval.” I mock.
“My seal is most important of all.” He’s obnoxious.
“I think my seal is way more important than yours,” Jenn feels the need to interject.
“Hmmm,” Chase crosses his arms questioningly and gazes down at her.
“Please, you all know my seal of approval is the only one that counts. I’m the designer.” Shane throws fuel on the fire.
Someone save me.
“Well, just as long as the three of you are in agreement, you can move along.” I try to chase them away.
“We are.” Jenn affirms, her blonde head bobbing.
“Good, now scram.” I sit back down in my chair, across from Simone. She’s smirking and her cheeks are rosy.
“Make sure to keep him on his toes, Simone.” Chase rubs my shoulders, heckling me.
“Oh, she does.” I steal a large sip of red wine.
“I wouldn’t be any fun if I didn’t.” She flirts blatantly with me and I love it.
“Enjoy,” Jenn places a hand on each of Shane and Chase’s hips, encouraging them to walk. Simone and I both watch the three of them walk away together, completely in sync.
“I like your friends.” She confides when they’re out of earshot.
“They certainly like you.”God knows I do, too.
“The trinity seal of approval.” She jokes.
