Five First Dates (Sassy in the City 2)

As he went back to the counter, Felicia sucked her iced coffee so hard it made slurping sounds.

Isla shook her head a little. “We need to talk about this after he leaves.”

We did. Though I didn’t know what there was to say other than what I’d already texted them earlier—help. I needed serious help.

Maddox didn’t seem at a loss for words. He returned to the table with a coffee held far away from his body so Sully couldn’t grab at it or kick it. He set it down in the center of the table and took the seat next to Isla, grabbing Sully’s legs and putting him in a sitting position as he lowered himself. The man knew his way around a baby. Every day he proved that to me in a dozen ways.

It was a typical Brooklyn coffee shop. Lots of wood, exposed brick, and industrial accents. There was a living wall of succulents with club chairs in front of it. I frequented it often because it was so close to my apartment but I hadn’t established any sort of rapport with the staff because it seemed like they were always changing. Now the cashier who had helped Maddox strolled by with a rag in her hand to wipe the table next to us. She gave me a dirty look before eyeing Maddox with definite lust.

I felt so instantly territorial it alarmed me. Friends with benefits. Repeat after me, Savannah Prescott. Fucking friends with benefits. Fucking friends. Or friends that were fucking, if you will. Nothing more.

My thoughts were wandering off in various directions while Maddox was making conversation with my friends.

“I hear you’re a chef,” he said to Isla.

Had I told him that? God, the man paid attention. I didn’t even remember saying that.

They chatted about the restaurant she was at, and he admitted to not liking to cook. He asked Felicia about her business and in turn they asked him about the tattoo shop and the show. I just listened, appreciating the mental break, and made faces at my son.

Until Maddox changed the subject. “Did Savannah tell you her date was a bust?”

I sat up straighter. “Oh, geez, let’s not talk about that.”

“Total bust. It sounds like there was some miscommunication,” Isla said, completely ignoring me. “Like this guy thought she just wanted a bangfest and she didn’t.”

Really subtle. Not. I kicked her under the table. She totally ignored me and sipped her latte.

“With her next couple of setups we need to make sure the goal is clear,” Isla continued. “She’s looking for a relationship.”

“Some guys are going to assume sex no matter what,” Maddox said. “But yeah, it definitely sounds like a few DMs could have cleared that up ahead of time.”

“You guys know I’m sitting here, right?”

No one really acknowledged my comment.

“I’ve been talking to this guy as Savannah,” Felicia said, swiping through her phone. She showed a picture to Maddox. “What do you think?”

“He’s not bad,” Maddox said, even as he popped Sully’s pacifier back in his mouth when he started fussing. “He looks quite a bit older than Savannah, though.”

“He’s forty-two. I figured that might be a better choice for a single mom.”

What was happening? Why was Maddox discussing my dating life with my friends?

It was like the night before hadn’t even happened. Which it most definitely had. Lots of tongue. Lots of body contact for an extended period of time.

“I don’t think age has anything to do with parenting skills,” Maddox said. “Has he been married before? Does he know how to compromise?”

“Oh, I should ask him that,” Felicia said. She started typing. “Have you ever been married? For how long?”

Stunned from the conversation I finally realized what exactly Felicia had said she’d been doing.

“Wait a minute. You’re talking to him as me?”

“You said I could,” Felicia protested.

She was right. I had. But now it seemed bizarre. Or maybe it was just because Maddox was sitting there. Maybe if Maddox didn’t exist I would find it highly entertaining to see how Felicia would pretend to be me. She was definitely more dry than I was.

“Then can I at least see his picture since everyone else has?” I held my hand out.