“You invited the chem degree Maddy home, not the bartending Maddy.”
“And those are different people?” He eyed me skeptically.
“I don’t know. You tell me.” I sighed. “Forget I said anything.”
“Should I?”
“Yes.” I leaned into his side.
He opened his arms for me. “How about we put the rest of the cleaning off until tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.” I closed my eyes, feeling warm, safe, and content in Colin’s arms.
***
I checked my watch again. He was officially twenty-five minutes late, and his one and only text message had come at the two-minute mark. I understood he was busy with work—I got it, but I wasn’t the one who insisted on making reservations for a three-month anniversary.
I sipped my wine. I’d given in and ordered a drink at the ten-minute mark. Otherwise, they probably would have thrown me out. I was taking up a prime real estate table with a view of the water. It would have been romantic if my date had showed. A few months earlier, I would have been shocked by his tardiness, but I was growing used to it. As an early bird myself, it usually meant I was waiting a long time.
I texted him again. Should I leave?
Two minutes later I got a response. No, please. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Go ahead and order something to hold you over.
I didn’t text back. Instead, I pretended to study the menu so the waiter wouldn’t come over again.
Ten minutes later, he still hadn’t showed. It was time to leave. I reached for my purse, surprised when I remembered I’d brought my tiny silver clutch. The same clutch with no room for my wallet. I’d slipped in all of a five-dollar bill, my phone, a house key, and Chapstick. Damn it. My five dollars wasn’t going to cover the wine. I texted both Macon and Brody, but neither responded. The only one left was Carly. I was too annoyed to call Colin. I sent her a text.
Your brother stood me up.
Seriously? Are you at the restaurant?
Yes. Any chance you could come by and lend me a few bucks? I don’t have enough to cover my wine.
I’ll do one better. See you in twenty.
I’d just sent the waiter away again when Carly showed up, slipping into the seat across from me. “Hey, Mad.”
“Hey, C. Thanks for this. I should have brought a credit card.” We’d taken to using the new nicknames as a joke, but I kind of liked them.
“One usually assumes they don’t have to bring money when their boyfriend is buying dinner.”
“Yeah, he’s blown me off before, but this is pretty bad.”
“Well, let’s make the night better. Pick out a drink for me.”
“Wait, we’re staying?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
“I guess I’ll pay you back later.”
“Oh no. This is all on Colin.” She slipped an American Express Gold Card onto the table.
“Is that Colin’s?”
She nodded. “I stopped by his office and got it.”
“So he knows you’re here?”
“Yes. He was kind of getting his ass handed to him, but he did give us a ticket to a good time tonight.”
“All right. What are you in the mood for? I’m kind of in the mood for a martini. Do you want one too?”
“Yes. But make it top shelf.”
“Carly.”
“Colin would insist on it.”
I ordered our drinks, and Carly ordered us both the Surf and Turf consisting of filet mignon and lobster tail. That was only after ordering every appetizer on the menu.
“Hey, is the brandy sampler good?” she asked when the waiter came back.
“Very.”
“We’ll have that. Or make that two.”
I blanched. “I don’t drink brandy.”
“So? I’m sure someone in the restaurant does.”
I gasped. “Carly. This is crazy. Do you realize what the bill is going to be?”
“Yes, but Colin needs to stop being such a prick before he loses you. I love him, but I’d kick a guy’s ass if he stood me up like this.”
“Would you really?”
She shrugged. “I’d want to.”
I laughed before bringing my martini to my lips. “At least the drinks are good.”
“Agreed.” Carly clinked her glass against mine.
Two hours later, we hobbled out of the restaurant. We’d made some new friends and tried more variations of brandy than I knew existed. And I try to stay on top of my liquors. Both of us were far too inebriated to drive, but we were full of a lot of good food.
“Hopefully, Macon picks up this time.” I didn’t bother to text. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to type anything resembling English.
“Hey, sunshine.” Macon always made up random nicknames for me.
“Hey, Macon!”
“Uh-oh. Why are you drunk dialing me from a date?”
“I got stood up.”
“Seriously? I’m sorry, Maddy.”
“It’s okay. Carly met me. But we had a drink or two and can’t drive.”
“Or like twenty!” Carly yelled into the phone.
“Why don’t you wait at the café? I’ll be right there.”
An hour later, I was deep into a game of Bullshit. Brody had come in from work about five minutes after we did. Carly had opted to come back to our place, and I decided that cards seemed more fun when you were drunk. A lot of things seem more fun when you’re drunk.
I wasn’t sure if Colin had called, because I’d purposely left my phone across the room. I was in a great mood, and he wasn’t going to ruin it.
After losing to Carly three times, that girl could bullshit like a pro, I stretched out on the couch. I’d just closed my eyes when the knocking started. I groaned. What was with people coming to the door while I slept? I wanted to ignore it, but I knew Macon and Brody would kill me if I didn’t get it to stop, and Carly was out cold on the love seat. I already knew who it would be.
I dragged myself to the door and pulled it open.
“I’m so sorry.” Colin fell to his knees in front of me.
In my slightly drunken state, I laughed. Probably not the best thing to do.
He clenched my shirt with his hands. “I know you’re mad, but I wanted to see you.”
“Don’t you feel like we have this conversation a lot?”
“It’s only the second time.”
“Still, that’s a lot for three months.” I crossed my arms.
“I couldn’t leave. The Dallas deal fell through. It completely fell through.”