"Then I hope you plan to bring your A-game because a girl like that is going toexpectit."
Oh, Dominick planned to bring it. He just had to figure out whatitwas and how one brought it onadate.
If only he had the same good looks and easygoing attitude as his roommate, he wouldn't have to worry about how the date would go. It would go perfectly. But Morgan hadn't set Conrad up with Harmony. She’d set Dominick upwithher.
That had to mean something.Didn'tit?
"What about thevenue?"
"At least thefood came outquickly."
3
Harmony had spenthours shopping for her date. She didn't want to admit how much weight she was putting into the match Morgan made, but she wentallout.
She'd gone down to the expensive boutique where so many of her friends shopped. It was the place to go for sorority formals or special events, and Harmony was convinced this was a special event. In fact, the more she thought about her upcoming date and looked at the picture of Pax, the more she put her trust in Morgan and hermethods.
Looking in the full-length mirror, she gave herself another once-over. Her dark hair was pulled back in a messy up-do that said she didn't care. Only Harmony knew she'd spent an hour perfecting the loose curls that framedherface.
She'd kept her makeup simple—red lips, neutral eyes, with heavy winged liner. She didn't want to detract from the dress she wore. It was another part of her ensemble meant to convey her “carefree” attitude. It was flowy and simple, but she'd scrutinized the outfit from every angle, spending the better part of an hour in the dressing room. She'd sat down, crossed her legs, bent over, lifted her arms, and every other movement that could possibly happen on the date, just to see what the dress would look like in every possiblecircumstance.
No wardrobe malfunctions were allowed onherdate.
Harmony was sure the girls who worked at the boutique were relieved when she finally left after making herpurchase.
She twirled one more time in front of the mirror in her dorm before leaving and heading down to the restaurant where she would meet Pax. Harmony was so excited, she even giggled to herself as she walked toward theparkinglot.
Twenty minutes later,Harmony was sitting at the small table Morgan had reserved for the happy couple. She'd debated waiting at the hostess stand, but decided sitting in the chair that faced the front entrance gave her a strategic view ofherdate.
She wanted to be the first one to spot him. When he looked her way, she'd give him the sly grin she'd practiced in the mirror. Sitting at the table would also give her the opportunity to check him out as he made his way toward her. It wasperfect!
"Can I get you something to drink?" the waitress asked for thesecondtime.
"No, just water." Harmony was afraid the mix of nerves and booze would have her saying something stupid over dinner. She wanted to keep her headclear.
The waitress nodded andwalkedoff.
Harmony looked down at her phone. The screen read 5:30. Pax would be here any minute. Just the thought of seeing him in person was enough to set her heart racing. Harmony was so excited, she could barelystandit.
She continued to watch the door. A middle-aged couple came in and were seated. They were holding hands like a couple of teenagers. Next came a group of women. They were all dressed up, and several carried small gift bags. Harmony assumed they were celebrating someone'sbirthday.
The next person to come in was a single guy—a guy whowasn'tPax. Would her date ever get here? The newcomer looked to be close in age to her. He was slightly nerdy with his pressed khakis and tucked in polo. Behind thick glasses, his eyes searched the restaurant nervously. It wasadorable.
She was glad to know she wasn't the only one meeting someone for a date. Harmony wished him the same happiness she felt, as she continued to watch the scene unfold. He was talking to the hostess, who then pointed in herdirection.
Harmony turned her head left and right, looking at the nearby tables. She wanted to see the guy's date and her reaction. But everywhere she looked, people were eating, or paired upalready.
When she looked back over toward the front door, the nerdy guy was looking at her—and he was smiling. He carried a small bouquet of flowers and started walking in her direction. The hostess had gotten confused and sent him in her direction. No big deal. Harmony would politely explain the mix-up and hopefully in a speedy enough way so that she didn't miss Pax's grandentrance.
And so that this poor guy didn't get the wrongimpression.
She smiled up at the guy approaching her table, hoping to make him feel comfortable. There was no sense in getting him all flustered before he met his realdate. "Hey."
His mouth pulled into a wide grin that showed a brilliant smile. It was the kind of warm expression that would win his date over in no time. If she wasn't already matched, she could see herself drawn in by it. "Wow. You're…" He cleared his throat. "You lookbeautiful."
Aww. Harmony tilted her head. "Thank you. That is very sweet, but the hostess gotconfused."
His smile faltered. "What doyoumean?"
