“I do see, Beau. You’re about to spill. I’ll have coffee.”
“You’re staying?” Lila asks.
“Is there a reason I can’t have dessert with my family?” I tug the bow tie off and stuff it into my pocket. That’s when I realize the waiter is still hovering. “Coffee,” I repeat.
“Yes, of course. One coffee,” he replies faintly. He walks off slowly but keeps casting glances over his shoulder.
“Are you planning to give your number to this stranger?” I ask Lila.
She furrows her brow. “No. He’s just delivering our food, but that doesn’t mean you have to be rude.”
“He wants to”—I look at Beau’s wide-eyed face and revise my words—“go on a date with you.”
“What’s a date?” Beau wants to know.
“When two people who like each other go on an outing,” I explain.
“Just two?” he asks. He swivels toward Lila. “We were on a date until Drix showed up, and if I leave, you and Drix are on a date.”
“I’m not ever going on a date with Drix,” Lila protests to my great irritation.
“And why not?” I ask.
“Yeah, why not?” Beau, my main wingman, parrots.
“Because, Beau,” she addresses the boy and ignores me, “Mr. Mason is my guardian. Wards don’t date guardians.”
“Why not?” Beau asks.
“Because…” She casts about for a good response and then pounces on me. “You explain. You’re the adult here.”
“I thought you were. You’ve been telling me that I can’t order you about because you’re an adult but here you are, not answering little Beau’s questions.”
Lila fists her hand on the table and gives me a piercing glare. If looks could kill, I’d be filleted open and eviscerated.
“There’s no reason why Lila and I can’t date,” I find myself saying. “It is Lila’s choice.”