I glance at my phone and frown when I see the time. Todd was already thirty minutes late. Where was he? My heartbeat picks up as I scan the crowded room. People seated near me glance over, a couple women give me sympathetic looks. I throw my shoulders back and lift my head, and send my boyfriend another text.
Where are you? Are you on your way? People are staring.
I put the phone face-down on the table again. This was supposed to be our night. Date night. The only night during the week we could both get away to spend time together. My mind immediately begins making excuses for him. Maybe he got caught up at the office. Maybe traffic was a lot worse than it was for me. Maybe he just forgot to call to cancel.
The waitress, Shelly, stops by the table again. She gives me a perky grin, but her blue eyes travel to the packed room around us. I shrink a little in my seat. I was taking up space, sitting here and not even ordering when there was probably a line out the door waiting to get in.
"I just need a few more minutes. I'm sure he'll be here soon."
Her grin fades as she offers to get me another glass of wine. I know I should. I reach around for my purse, my hand on my phone on the table. Sudden movement at my table makes my heart stutter and I relax. Finally. Now I don't look like a pathetic loser who got stood up.
"Sorry I'm late, babe. Traffic was a bitch."
My head whips up at the unfamiliar voice. The man sitting across from me grins as he leans in. "I'm Michael. Just go with it," he adds quietly. A smile lifts my lips and I give a little nod.
"I'm just glad you're finally here. I wasn't sure what you would want, so I haven't ordered yet."
He smiles and doesn't even bother to look at the menu, instead turning his attention to the astonished waitress. "Pinot Grigio and the chicken alfredo for both of us."
I open my mouth to protest as Shelly bounces away to another table, but quickly close it when Michael turns his attention back to me. He raises his eyebrows at me. "Is that all right?"
I'm taken aback. "Yeah, it's fine. I'm just not used to having someone order for me."
"Obviously, whoever stood you up doesn't do a lot of things for you."
My cheeks heat up as I think of all the little things I wish Todd would do. Even putting down the toilet seat is too much for him some days. The buzz of my phone still on the table distracts me from my sudden anger. I turn it over and find a message from Todd.
Sorry, babe. Totally forgot about tonight. I'm stuck at work. Tomorrow night okay for you?
I don't even bother answering; I just slip my phone into my purse and turn my attention to the man across from me. Shelly returns with his wine right then, giving me a moment to check him out. Dark brown hair spiky in front, chiseled jaw, bright blue eyes, a slightly crooked nose, and a fantastic smile. He's gorgeous--not that looks are everything. Todd is gorgeous too, but he's also married to his job. I frown as Shelly flounces away from our table.
"Everything all right?"
I shrug one shoulder. "This is the one night a week we get together and he just told me he forgot about it. How could you forget?" I brought my eyes up to meet his.
He kindly smiled. "I would never forget."
No comments:
Post a Comment