I motioned to the empty seat. “Is Leslie going to make it?”
“I hope so. Her meeting is running late.”
From what I’d gathered, Leslie and Wesley had been dating for a little over a month.
I took a sip of my wine, hoping that now Mike understood Wesley and I were simply friends. Nothing more.
A woman approached the table, and Wesley dabbed his mouth as he stood. “Hello, darling. Glad you could make it.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “Sorry I’m late. Things didn’t go according to plan.”
“I can tell. Come sit down.” Wesley pulled out her chair and helped her settle at the table. “Leslie, this is one of my oldest and dearest friends, Sydney, and her date, Mike.”
Since he was introducing her to me—one of his oldest friends—he must consider her more than just a romp between the sheets.
We exchanged pleasantries. Leslie was cute, with dark hair cut in a pixie style and warm brown eyes.
Leslie smiled. “I’m excited to meet you. Wesley said one of his best friends moved here. Hopefully, we can grab coffee sometime. You can give me all the dirt to hold over Wesley’s head.”
I laughed. “Sure thing. But Wesley is pretty boring. He was the one always keeping me out of trouble.”
Wesley rolled his eyes. “Only when you were impractical and could have gotten hurt.”
Cocking my head, I quipped, “Don’t be such a stuffed shirt,” and everyone at the table laughed. As we laughed, our server brought over steaming plates loaded with food. Mike’s steak looked mouthwatering, but one bite of my pasta convinced me I’d made the right choice. After we’d begun to eat, Leslie motioned with her fork between Mike and me. “How long have you been dating?”
I shook my head and laughed, knowing how crazy it sounded. “Like a day, maybe. I don’t know if it counts since we haven’t been on an official date yet.”
Beside me, Mike squeezed my leg. “A mistake I plan to rectify soon.”
Leslie sighed. “That’s so sweet.”
Leslie filled the silence with small talk about the town, her job, and her favorite shops. Eventually, Mike grabbed my hand; his thumb made small, soothing strokes on mine. The waiter came around, removing plates and asking about dessert.
Mike’s pager went off and he checked it as discreetly as possible. Regret was written all over his face when he turned to me. “I need to go. There’s been a break-in.”
“I think I’m going to head home, too. I’m exhausted,” I said. “Do you need me to get Maggie Maye for you?”
He placed his napkin on the table and motioned for the water. “I don’t think so. If I do, I’ll let you know. Are you good to get home?”
The waiter approached the table, and Mike handed him a card. Wesley said to Mike, “I’ll get dinner tonight. My treat.”
“Thanks for the offer. But I’ll get Syd’s and mine.”
Leslie gave a pouty face and said, “I wish you’d stay for dessert.” It seemed an overly exaggerated expression considering her age.
“Thank you. But I’m exhausted. We had to let two families know their pets were terminal today, and now they have to decide if they want to put them down. It’s been a rough day.”
Mike squeezed my hand, and I saw the sympathy in his eyes. Wesley nodded my way. “Let me know if you need anything.”