“Two months ago. I have that kind of face. You’re not the first one to tell me that I look familiar.” His penetrating stare fixed on me.
“Are you in advertising or marketing?” I picked up my drink and brought the rim to my lips.
“Neither. Finance. Is that a problem?” He laughed dryly.
“There he is!” Sofie yelled out, then covered her mouth with her napkin, redness streaking her cheeks.
I looked over and saw Colin sauntering up to the bar. Cory threw Sofie a dirty look, and that surprised me.What’s his problem?
“Should I go over to him and say hi?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s not with anyone. I’d go for it. What will it hurt?”
Sofie pushed her shoulders back, took a big gulp of her lager, and stood up. “I’m going for it. Wish me luck.”
I watched as she snaked her way through the crowd. When a huge grin spread over Colin’s face, I knew Sofie wouldn’t be back to the table in a while.
“Would you like anything else?” the waitress asked as she picked up the empty plates. I shook my head and she placed the bill on the table.
Before I could even touch it, Cory grabbed it. “It’s on me.”
“No way,” I said.
“I insist,” he countered.
“No. There’s no reason for you to pay for our dinner. I won’t allow it.” I extended my hand, expecting for him to give me the bill.
“Please let me buy dinner for you and your friend. I want to.” He placed his hand on mine.
“I don’t even know you. I don’t feel comfortable with you picking up the tab.” Under normal circumstances, I’d have been perfectly okay with a man picking up the bill, but I’d just met him and we weren’t on a date or anything. The whole situation seemed off-kilter to me. I also didn’t want to feel indebted to him. Some men paid and did everything for a woman, then turned ugly when she wanted to end the good times.
“I insist,” he said as he waved the waitress over, handing her the bill and a credit card.
“I didn’t really want you to do that,” I muttered.
“You can make it up to me.”
Aha, the payoff.“I’m listening.”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night.” He smiled and fine lines radiated from the corners of his eyes.
“I can’t.”
“What about Monday?”
“I’m volunteering at a soup kitchen.”
“That’s a nice thing to do.”
“I’m involved with Lending a Helping Hand. It’s a charity that goes out to the community and helps where needed. We don’t pick one particular segment of the population or one cause, choosing instead to address all needs. I picked helping out in the soup kitchen next week.”
“I’ve never heard of that organization. I’ll have to check it out and donate some money to it. Sounds like a worthy charity.”
“It is. I’ve been involved with it since I moved here five years ago.”
“That’s nice. How’s Thursday for dinner? You have to eat.”
I laughed. He was persistent, I’d give him that. And he seemed like a nice enough guy. It wouldn’t hurt to have dinner with him. “Okay, but I’ll meet you.” Being a woman, you could never be too careful. I didn’t know him at all, and I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t making a date with an axe murderer. Considering my dating track record, I couldn’t be too careful.
