Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Erin
The Uber dropped us off at the curb in front of the upscale restaurant. Barbara’ jumps a little before opening the door. It looks like she’s dancing.
“Barbara, calm down,” I tell her as we approach the hostess stand.
“This is gonna be awesome. Rick is the most handsome…”
“Good evening, welcome to Kōfuku,” the hostess interrupts Barbara’s speech. “Party of…”
“Hey,” she replies. “Party of four, we have a reservation. My date should be here, Rick Anderson.”
While Barbara talks with the hostess, I notice a huge man with sleek black hair standing in the corner. He has his phone in his hand, texting furiously. He’s wearing dark jeans, a white shirt, and a charcoal sports jacket that somehow manages to show off his killer body.
The man is drop-dead gorgeous. Even in this state, there is something about him that draws your attention. Whoever has him waiting is an idiot.
“He’s not here yet,” whispers Barbara, touching my shoulder. “Wanna go to the bar for a drink?”
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
“I think it’s better if we call an Uber and go back to the condo.”
She looks at me with her brown eyes wide open. “No, no. This must be a terrible mistake. I’m sure he’s about to arrive. Let’s give it a couple minutes.”
Alrighty then.
“Ok, let’s wait here then,” I reply, gritting my teeth. “Just for a couple of minutes.”
Said couple of minutes turn into ten, and then fifteen. Rick Anderson doesn’t come.
Bastard. I might not have wanted to come, but I’d rather he showed up just for Barbara. Screw this. We’re leaving.
I’m determined to get out of here, ready to leave, when Barbara takes my hand and pulls me to the hostess stand. “Could you find us a table, just for two, please?”
“You may use the reservation if you don’t mind,” the hostess suggests while smiling sympathetically.
“I don’t mind; I’m hungry,” Barbara says. “Let’s turn this shitty date into something memorable.”
Well, I’m up for this. I like this Miss Independent attitude very much.
Maybe that’s the reason I am still single. And I’m not ready to mingle, at least not in the same way Barbara does.
The hostess leads us to a booth in a corner; after that, a waitress comes to take our orders. As hungry as Barbara said she was, she only ordered a small cup of miso soup and half a California roll. I’m about to open my mouth to order when I notice two men coming our way.
One of them happens to be the dark-haired hottie who stood at the entrance of the restaurant when we came inside.
“Don’t look back, but there is a duo walking this way,” I tell her.
Fuck, I just told her not to turn, and it’s the first thing she does.
“That’s him!”
Barbara stands and greets the other guy, who I assume is Rick. He has a big hug while giving her a megawatt smile. I’m in the very corner of the booth, trying to be invisible, thoroughly embarrassed.
“Hello, there,” says the dark-haired man while extending a long, elegant hand in my direction. “I’m Gabriel Posada.”
“Erin Nichols,” I reply. Thank God my voice sounds normal because my heart is beating faster than usual, and I feel a rush of heat in my face.
“May I sit?”
“Of course.”
As I am at the very corner, there is plenty of space for him to accommodate. But he takes it all, even the air.
The booth is filled with him, his hypnotizing cologne, and the spark in those dark eyes…
He opens his mouth, but his friend speaks first. His question is directed at me, giving me a little too much attention.
“Where do you work, Erin?” Rick asks me, ignoring Barbara.
“I own a flower shop,” I reply, looking at the menu with interest. I know what to order, I just need an excuse, a distraction. Something.
“Are you in the mood to go dancing?” Barbara asks Rick.
“You like to dance, Erin?”
Fuck my life.
“Everything is good here,” Barbara announces. “Let’s get fuel, then drinks, and dance. Who’s in?”
“You coming?” Rick talks to me again.
“No, sorry.” I’m not sorry in the slightest. “I need to go home early.”
“That’ an invitation?” He asks.
“Fuck, no.”
“Sorry,” finally Gabriel finds his voice, giving his friend a glare that could kill. “Rick, behave.”
“Why? You didn’t even want to come. I had to force you.”
Barbara has lost her bright smile, and in the back of my head, I feel bad for her, but my anger is overpowering. I’m furious. In the history of the worst blind dates, this should be in the top three. Running for first place.
“I’m outta here.” I try to stand, but then I realize I’m in a booth between the wall and a man.
“I’m going with you,” Gabriel replies.
“No, you aren’t.”
He stands and takes a step to the side, leaving enough space for me to walk freely. Then, he takes a couple of bills from his wallet and throws them on the table.
“Nice to meet you, Barbara,” I hear him saying over my shoulder. “You and I are talking on Monday, asshole.”
I guess he’s talking to his idiotic friend, but I don’t care. I’m on my way to the exit.
“Hey, Erin, wait.” He’s walking behind me.
I’m ready to bolt until a warm hand touches my elbow carefully.
“What do you want?” I ask, while my hand stays firmly on the door.
“To apologize for my friend; that’d be a good start.”
His eyes are shining even in the dim lights of the restaurant. This man—Gabriel—is devastatingly handsome. And he knows it.
“Sure. You’re forgiven, now let me go.”
He hurries and stands in front of me, blocking my escape.
“You haven’t had any dinner, neither have I,” he continues. “I know a little Italian place two blocks away. The food is excellent and…”
“You’re crazy if you think I’m going anywhere with you,” I snort. “I’ve had enough craziness for one night.”
“I promise I’m not a prick like my friend. You’re safe with me,” Gabriel insists. “Here.” He pulls out his wallet again, handing me a business card made of good thick cardboard.
“Do you want my driver’s license too?”
That makes me smile.
“That won’t be necessary, Gabriel A. Posada,” I tell him. “Now, where did you say the restaurant is?”