Several days passwith Mom and I trying to pretend everything is normal, even though there’s always a huge elephant in the room. I’ve texted with Rafe a few times, but he hasn’t mentioned going out again, so that leaves me open to accept Gwen’s invite to grab dinner and catch a movie Friday night.
“We’re really going to the theater, right?” I ask before getting in her car. Last time we were supposed to hang out, we ended up at The After Party.
“Geez, yes, okay? Now get in.” She grabs her purse off the passenger seat and tosses it into the back without a care.
“Is food gonna solve this bitchiness, or does it go deeper than being hangry?” I tuck myself into the seat and quickly put my seat belt on.
Gwen lets out a growl. “Food will definitely help, but I might be a little mopey.” The corner of her lip lifts up as if she can’t decide if she wants to snarl or pout.
“What’s up?”
Gwen glances to the left and right before speeding out of my driveway. I grab the bar on the door. I’m usually a fairly cautious driver. Gwen, not so much. “Jay.” She huffs.
“Are you guys fighting or something?” I was going to tell her about Rafe tonight, but now it might not be such a good time if they broke up.
“Not really, he’s just always so busy lately.” She makes air quotes around the word busy. It makes me think she doesn’t believe him. I don’t really need any fuel not to like the guy. He rubbed me the wrong way from the first night, but I wouldn’t be a good friend if I said that now.
“What’s keeping him so busy?” It’s the only way I can think of asking why she doesn’t believe him without coming right out and saying it.
“Work, networking.” She shrugs, then changes lanes without using her blinker.
“What does he do for work?” I check the mirrors to make sure we didn’t just cut somebody off.
“Investment stuff, remember? He told me a little about it, but it’s boring.” I love Gwen, but she can be the tiniest bit self-absorbed. “The networking part is fun though.” She glances over at me with an easy grin. “He usually takes people out to fancy dinners or clubs.”
I relax into my seat as she prepares to turn into the restaurant. I should have asked to drive, but I know she hates my truck. “So who was he meeting at The After Party?”
Gwen pulls into a spot not too far from the entrance of Buffalo Wild Wings and jerks the car into park. “He was all excited about meeting some important guy named Rex.” She rolls her eyes.
“Rex?” I repeat. That can’t be a common name, and I’ve heard it mentioned at The Dollhouse a few times. I bet it’s the same person. If Jay is hanging out with people from the strip club, I have even more reason to be leery of him.
“I know, stupid name, but it means king or something.” She makes a face, showing me what she thinks about it.
“It’s like a nickname then?” I try to remember who mentioned the name Rex, but I can only recall one of the girls saying he was the boss or owner or something. It makes me wonder if she was talking about Winger. I always thought of him as the boss of the club. Maybe that’s how he knew I was at The After Party, maybe he saw me there. God, I’m glad he called me if that was the case. I would have had to explain Winger to Gwen if he had told me to leave himself.
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Ready?” I nod and get out of the car in response. “I’m starving,” Gwen mumbles as I tug the door of the restaurant open and wave her in front of me.
The place is pretty busy, but the lobby is empty. It’s Friday evening, and all the TVs are playing sports or recycled ESPN footage. “For two?” the hostess asks, giving us each a once-over. I’m wearing a pair of jeans and a thin, long-sleeved shirt. Gwen’s in jeans also, but her top is a little dressier than mine.
“Yes,” Gwen hisses. When the girl grabs our menus, she makes a face behind the hostess’ back, and I swat her arm, telling her to behave. The girl didn’t do anything but her job. It’s not as if she insulted us because she asked if it was just the two of us.
“I already know what I’m getting,” Gwen declares as soon as she sits down, but she picks up the menu anyway. I’m sure I’ll end up with the same thing I always get, but I look also.
“Hello, ladies. What can I get you to drink?” I look up at our male server. He’s pretty cute, with a mop of unruly blond curls and a dimple.
Gwen places her elbows on the table, framing her breasts as she leans forward with a smile. “Hi.” She looks down at his chest, then back up into his eyes. “Brandon.” I sit back in my seat. She’s such a flirt. I bite my bottom lip so I don’t smile too widely and watch her. I could definitely take some lessons.
Brandon gives her a lingering once-over, not even bothering to hide his interest. “Now you have me at a disadvantage, I don’t have either of your names.”
“Gwen.” She brushes her fingertips over her chest, drawing even more attention to her boobs, and tilts her head toward me while maintaining eye contact. “Lucy.”
Brandon crouches near the side of the table. “Lucy and Gwen,” he repeats slowly, as if he’s memorizing our names. “Please tell me you’ll be here for a while. I get off in about thirty minutes, and I would love to join you.” He looks between us again.
I’m at a complete loss for words, but Gwen isn’t. “As long as you’reupfor it,” she replies sweetly. My eyes are probably bugging out of my head, and I can feel a blush staining my cheeks.
“All night long,” Brandon counters smoothly. “How about a drink to get you started?”
“Surprise me,” Gwen tells him, then he looks over at me.
