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“I wasn’t going to, but I figured it might be good to have some female company when I wanted, without taking time away from Gwen, like having a girlfriend would.”
“Good point. So where are you going?”
“We’re meeting for a drink.”
“Where?” he presses.
“Isaac, I swear to Christ, if you show up, I’ll beat your ass.”
“That wouldn’t make a very good impression on your date.” He smirks.
“Maybe she likes guys who take charge.”
“She better if she’s with you, you controlling asshole.”
I laugh. “Hey, I keep things running smoothly, and now it’ll be your job. You’ll appreciate me more when I’m gone and your workload doubles.”
“Yeah, I’ll need to find a workaround for that,” he says, winking.
“Good luck. Let me know how it works out for you.”
“I’m going to get out of here early while I can. I’ll see you tomorrow, and you can tell me about your date.”
“Like that’ll happen.”
He laughs as he walks toward the door and then pauses on the threshold. “I hope you have a good night, bro. You deserve it.”
“Thanks. I hope so too.” I smile as I think about the picture of Mae in the white bikini and the texts we exchanged last night.
I have a good feeling about tonight.
* * *
I stay at the office longer than I plan and don’t have time to run home after work. Fortunately, I have a bathroom connected to my office, so I brush my teeth, wash up, and reapply deodorant and cologne. I keep a few extra button-down shirts in my closet, so I can swap out the blue one I wore all day for a fresh, clean white one. I skip a tie and roll up my sleeves in favor of a more casual look.
Arriving with ten minutes to spare, I pay the fee at the door and pass through the first-floor nightclub. Flashing lights immediately assault my eyes, and the pounding thump of bass is ear-splittingly loud. I walk straight through and take the elevator up, stepping onto the rooftop deck. Softer music plays in the background; if my ears could, they’d sigh with relief.
I quickly scan the bar area, stopping on a woman with golden hair hanging down to the middle of her back. I can’t see her face from this angle, so I cross the checkerboard-tiled dance floor for a better look. As I approach, I see she’s tapping at her phone screen.
“Mae?”
Her head immediately snaps my way.
I’m stunned when I see the big, beautiful blue eyes her sunglasses hid in her profile picture.
Her berry-colored lips tentatively curve. “James?”
I almost forget my Finder account is under my middle name for a moment, but then I nod. “Yes. It’s nice to meet you.” I shake her hand firmly.
“And you as well.”
The bartender comes over. “Can I get you two anything?”
I gesture for Mae to go first.
“I’d love a Moscow mule, please.”
“And you, sir?” the bartender asks.