Harper - That’s because I’ll be there.
Caitie bit down a grin.
Caitie - I’ll see you in half an hour. Better put two bottles in. I’ve got a lot of sorrows to drown.
Harper - That’s my girl.
Caitie pressed on the home screen, closing the conversation. As she was about to slide her phone back in her purse, it started to buzz, a familiar name lighting up the screen.
Brecken Miller.
It had been two weeks since she’d seen him, yet her heart started to flutter wildly. Her finger shook as she accepted the call.
“Hi Breck,” she said, keeping her voice low.
“Hey Caitie, how are you?”
She leaned against the metal wall, closing her eyes as she heard his deep voice. “I’m good. It’s Friday, after all. And how are you doing? Long time no talk.”
“Where are you? Your voice sounds all echoey.”
She glanced around at the tiled floor and walls. “Um, in a bathroom.”
His laughter was low and deep. “What are you doing in there? Not taking a bath, are you?”
“No, I’m in a restaurant bathroom. Nowhere near a bathtub.”
“Did I interrupt you?” He sounded amused. She could picture his face turned up into a heartstopping grin. “Do you want me to call back later?”
She shook her head even though he couldn’t see her. “Now is good. I’m just…taking a break.”
His laughter reverberated through the line. “If that’s all your taking, we’re good. What are you taking a break from? Did you eat too much?”
“I’m on a date,” she admitted.
“Oh.” Was it her imagination or did he sound surprised? “I really did interrupt.”
He went silent. All she could hear above the creaking of the bathroom pipes were his slow breaths.
“You didn’t interrupt, honestly. It’s nice to hear from you.” She swallowed, waiting for him to reply.
“I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend.” He still sounded strange.
“I don’t. Damon is a…” She screwed her face up, trying to figure out how to classify him. “He’s a friend of a friend. I kind of know him from the bar we all go to. He’s a graphic designer. It’s our first date.”
“A first date? I feel even worse now. All those hormones and batting eyelashes. I should let you get back to him.”
“No eyelashes were batted in the making of this date,” she told him. “And I’d like to think I left my hormones behind years ago.” She lowered her voice. “If you want to know, it’s kind of awkward, and I’ve no idea how I’m going to let him down gently. And I’ve even less idea why I’m telling you this.”
Breck laughed. “Me either. But it sounds more exciting than my Friday night. I was planning to crack open a beer and sit on the deck. I’d be happy to live life vicariously through you.”
“Glad I can be of service.”
“Seriously, though, Caitie. Be careful. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, and you’ve said your friends know him, but men can be assholes when they’re turned down. Make sure you do it in a safe place. And don’t let him walk you home.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Good. Maybe I should stay on the line. If you need any help we can have a code word. Just say it and I’ll get the guys together and fly over to save you. The way we always did.”