I give her a wide-eyed glare, telling her to knock it off, but Rafe answers—well, he doesn’t ignore her. “Several. Are you not planning on working over the summer?”
“Not really, unless you have a job you’d like to offer me, Mr. Business Owner,” Gwen purrs flirtatiously, completely oblivious to the disapproving tone in his voice.
“I do own a place where you’d fit right in, but I’m not hiring,” he deadpans. Gwen’s smile slips, but she recovers quickly.
“Well, looks like I’m a free bird then.” I can’t really say I love the way she’s smiling at him, but I don’t think she’s trying to steal him away from me either. It’s just her nature.
Rafe tips his head to the side as if he’s examining Gwen, but then he turns his attention to me. “Do you have plans later?”
I dart my gaze to Gwen. “We are going to the movies. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Will we actually make it inside this time?” He arches one brow.
I make it a point not to look away from him. I’m sure Gwen will have some questions about his statement, and I don’t want to answer them now. “Yes,” I hiss softly.
“Too bad.” Rafe sighs. “If it’s where you’ll be, I guess I’m going.”
I grin.
Gwen’s brows are high on her forehead when I look over at her, still smiling. I can’t read what she’s thinking beyond the fact that she looks a little shocked. She recovers quickly, then looks around. “What happened to Brendon?”
“Brandon,” I correct without thought.
“Yeah.” Gwen bites her lip and searches the restaurant for our server.
“On a first-name basis with him?” Rafe’s fingers tighten over my leg.
“I hope to be on a lot more than just his name later,” Gwen mumbles, but it’s clear her intent was to be heard.
“We just met him—tonight.” I glare at Gwen. What she does is her business, but I feel like she’s just trying to get Rafe’s attention, and that doesn’t seem cool.
“I’m teasing.” She rolls her eyes. “He was supposed to join us when his shift ended.”
Rafe ignores Gwen, and he loosens his grip on my leg before he starts slowly massaging the area. “Good thing I called when I did. I don’t like competition.”
“You don’t have any,” I admit. I may not be as good at flirting as Gwen, but I’m learning I’m not so bad at it either.
Brandon never returns to the table. A waitress ends up delivering our bill just a few minutes after Gwen started looking for him. Her mood took a hit right away. Rafe paid our entire bill, even though I offered to pay several times. I eventually gave up once he glared at me, seeming like he was actually annoyed with me.
When we stand, he pulls out my chair and motions for me to go ahead of him. I look over my shoulder and see Gwen is at his side, looking a little pouty, but he gestures for her to move forward so she’s walking next to me. I hook my arm through hers and whisper an apology to her as we leave. I know it’s not really my fault that Brandon bailed, but I do feel a little responsible that now I have a date and she doesn’t.
The hostess does a double take when we leave. I’m assuming it has something to do with the shadow on my heels. Rafe is standing right behind me and slightly to the left so it’s clear he’s with me, or at least I think it’s clear.
Once we’re out the door, we kind of pause. I would rather ride with Rafe, but I came with Gwen, not to mention I’m sure she had one drink and it wouldn’t be responsible of me to allow her to drive.
“We’re over here.” I motion to Gwen’s sedan. Rafe looks at Gwen like he’s thinking the same thing I already was.
“Ride with me,” he says, and it doesn’t sound like a question.
“She had a drink.” I tilt my head toward Gwen.
“They served you here?” He looks back at the restaurant with his eyes narrowed.
I shrug. I could tell him that Gwen and Brandon seemed to hit it off, but I feel like that was already implied.
“Did they give you anything?” His chest puffs out.
“Just a Coke.” I shake my head.
