Hayden
Come on, Soph. I’ve spent the whole day with the dude. I was with my girl last night and couldn’t join you guys. I owe him dinner. He’s a client.
Me
Then have dinner with him. Abbi, Dottie, and I will do our own thing—I just asked her to join us, and she agreed.
Hayden
You will not do your own thing.
Me
Then you’re going to have to make a choice. Because you can’t do this to me.
Hayden
What exactly am I doing?
Me
You know how things ended up last night at the restaurant. At least my daughter wasn’t there to witness it. This time, she will be. Colson and I can’t be in each other’s presence without THAT happening.
Hayden
Doesn’t matter now anyway. Colson just told me he has other plans for dinner.
Colson had other plans? How? Did he know someone in Fort Lauderdale? Was he finding his way to Lush’s other location in Miami?
Why was my brain coming up with reasons when it really didn’t matter what he was doing this evening? What mattered was that he was not going to be eating with us.
Me
See you soon.
Hayden
You’re not disappointed he turned me down?
Me
Why would you even say that to me?
Hayden
I’m goading you. Is it working?
Me
And I’m giving you the finger. Loveyoubye.
NINETEEN
COLSON
“Are you sure I can’t change your mind about dinner?” Hayden asked as we stood from our chairs in his office. “You’re going to be missing out on a good time. Even Abbi’s going to be there.”
His grin told me how much he adored his niece.
