Allen’s stomach twisted. He didn’t think it was fast, and he knew his friends had all done the same things with the women they’d met. But it was also the first time in months that Allen had felt like something might actually happen.
“He didn’t push,” Allen said. “He’s not blowing up my phone. He’s not asking where I am. It’s just… normal conversation.”
Jamie watched him closely. “Does he know how old you are?”
Allen nodded. “Yeah. It came up.”
“And he didn’t care?” Jamie asked, sounding suspicious.
Allen swallowed. “He asked if it bothered me, and I said no.”
Connor exhaled slowly and looked away. “I’m not saying don’t talk to him. I’m saying be careful.”
Mark nodded. “Yeah. Just… keep your eyes open.”
Jamie pointed at Allen. “If he starts doing anything weird, you tell us.”
Anything weird? Allen tried to laugh. “Like what?”
Jamie shrugged. “Like showing up at your work. Or making you feel guilty when you don’t reply. Or acting like you owe him something because he spent time with you.”
Allen’s face warmed again because the cake still sat in his head like a small, stupid moment that had felt bigger than it should. “He didn’t act like I owed him anything,” Allen said. “He just wanted to talk, and then we swapped numbers.”
Connor’s gaze flicked back to him. “Do you feel like you owe him anything?”
Allen frowned. “No.”
Connor nodded. “Good.”
Mark leaned forward slightly. “So what happens now?”
Allen swallowed. “I don’t know.”
Jamie grinned. “Yes, you do. You’re going to see him again.”
Allen’s mouth went dry, and he looked down at his drink. “Maybe.”
Connor stared at him. “Have you talked about meeting up?”
Allen shook his head and looked at Connor. “Not yet.”
Jamie snorted. “You’ve been messaging all week, and you haven’t arranged to meet up?”
Allen shot him a look. “I’m not… I don’t know how to bring it up.”
Mark smiled. “You just ask.”
Connor added, “Or he asks.”
Allen’s phone buzzed on the table. Allen looked down, seeing Rick’s name on the screen, and closed his eyes.
Jamie’s eyes lit up. “Oh my God.”
“Speak of the devil.” Mark grinned as he looked at Allen’s phone.
Connor didn’t smile at all. He just watched Allen as he picked up the phone, trying to act normal. His heart raced in his chest, and he felt as if he were on some show, and everyone was staring at him, which they all were.
He opened and read Rick’s message.Are you at the café?
