“She is, isn’t she.” Anderson peered down at the stranger. “Not alone either. You’re in my seat.”
The guy got up, and the two men stared at each other for what seemed like five minutes. It was probably more like fifteen seconds, but either way, it was awkward.
“Enjoy the drink.” The stranger placed his card on the table next to the cocktail and walked away as the waitress approached.
“Making friends?” Anderson asked as he took the seat the gentleman vacated. “I’ll take a double Goose rocks and Tito’s.”
“Do you serve King St.?” Anderson smirked as he waved at the stranger’s drink to be removed by the waiter. I ordered my own cocktail.
“Absolutely. We’re doing a muddled blackberry cocktail. It’s my new favorite.”
“I’ll try it.” With a smile and a nod, the waitress was off.
Anderson leaned forward in his seat, “First, you look lovely tonight, and I’m really sorry I’m late. We both know how much that bugs you.”
“I hope everything is okay.”
“Fine. Everything is fine. Rover didn’t want to come inside from playtime.”
Picking up the menu, I spoke as I scanned the entrees. “I still have a difficult time picturing you owning a pet. You just do not seem like someone that would–” I pressed my lips together right at the edge of insulting the man that had asked me out on a date and chosen a very nice restaurant.
“Oh no. Please don’t stop there, Ms. Messer.” He stretched out his long legs to the side of the table and crossed his arms over his chest. It was the first time tonight I paid attention to what Anderson was wearing. A dark blue suit. Not the suit he wore to work, but a different suit. His gaze traveled down to where I was tugging at my clearance Gap short sleeve navy dress.
Could I be more underdressed? Chandler Bing and Joey popped into my head, and I felt like Monica sitting with Richard feeling inadequate. What did he just say?
“Please.”
“I’m sorry. Please, what? I wasn’t paying attention.”
Anderson mumbled as the waitress arrived with our cocktails. “You are doing wonders for my ego.”
Vodka and blackberries already sounded delicious. The garnish took my excitement to the next level. “So good. The tartness of the blackberries plays off the vodka nicely. Really smooth.” A second sip brought out the sweetness of the simple syrup. Damn it. This is good.
“Exact same reaction I had when I first tried it.” Looking at Anderson, the waitress’ excitement evaporated as she robotically listed the specials. “I’ll give you guys some time to scan the menu.”
Anderson’s eyebrow went up as she left the table. “You were saying.”
“That’s a perfect example.”
“What? Example of what?” His expressions were becoming a bit more familiar, and it was easy to see he was amused.
“People don’t seem to warm up to you.”
“Jurnee, this is New York. No one wants anyone to warm up to them. But what does that have to do with Rover?”
“I just meant that you seem like someone that keeps a fairly full calendar and having an animal takes time. Plus, you don’t really come across as the warm and fuzzy type.”
“What else have you already decided about me?” That you have a sexy as hell smirk.
“That’s not a fair question.” I tried to hide behind my plum-colored cocktail. “We haven’t spent that much time together.”
“It’s a very good thing we are changing that, isn’t it?”
My phone rang, making me jump. Checking who was calling, I apologized and answered. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Where’s the second six-foot table? I’m only finding one.” Floyd was on speakerphone in my garage.
“Tom borrowed it. He already knows to bring it.” Anderson kept his eyes on me as I spoke. “Do you see the two green tablecloths?”
“Got’em. Thanks. Go Green!”
“Go White.”
I turned the phone to silent and placed it back on the table face down. “Sorry about that, he’s at my house picking up stuff for the weekend’s tailgate.”
He nodded and took a sip of his drink.
“It’s homecoming.” I squirmed in my seat under his stare. “We do a pretty good tailgate. Have you ever been?”
“I have not.”
Focusing on the menu, I whispered, “They’re fun.”
What the hell am I doing? You have nothing in common with this guy. I looked over at him to see if it was my imagination or if he was staring at me. Still staring.
“The wheels look like they’re spinning in your head. Are you searching for the answer to my question?”
“Question?” Wait, what did he ask?
Anderson smiled, “Before you overthink yourself into a