“You’re so not funny,” he drawls. “You know how to answer the question.”
I bite back a laugh. “My hair is on point. That conditioner you recommended works like a charm. The curls are loose, and my makeup is at least an eight out of ten.”
“You’re ready to knock Dale’s pants off.”
“No,” I answer with a smile. “I’m ready to see if his pants are worth knocking off. I need to go inside and meet him.”
“Remember that he’s Tiffany’s friend’s cousin and he’s visiting from Philly.”
“Cousin from Philly,” I repeat back. “I’ve got it.”
I peer through the windows, but the place is packed. I can’t see past the bar crowd to the dining area.
“Call me after you’ve had your way with him.”
“You mean after he’s bought me dessert?”
“Thanks again for doing this.” His voice softens. “Tiffany’s stuck at work, so you’re doing her a huge favor by filling her seat at dinner.”
“I’m happy to do it,” I say, trying to mask the nervous energy racing through me. “I’ll call you later.”
“Love you, Bella.”
“Love you,” I repeat back.
Ending the call, I drop my phone in my black leather purse and yank open the door to Atlas 22, so I can get this blind date over and done with.
Chapter 2
Bella
“Can I help you, Miss?” A female voice hisses in my left ear as I stare into the packed dining room of the restaurant.
I turn to the sight of a tall, blonde-haired woman. She’s wearing a black dress and an earpiece. She has to be the hostess.
“I’m meeting someone.”
“Who?” Her question may be directed at me, but her gaze is stuck on something to the left of us.
I sigh, wishing Max had been more confident about Dale’s surname. “I believe his name is Dale…”
“Right,” she says in a clipped tone. “When he arrived, he mentioned someone would be joining him. He’s over there waiting for you.”
She points a finger at a man glancing in our direction.
If this is what a nine-and-a-half looks like on Max’s scale of hotness, I don’t know what the hell a ten would look like.
Dale checks every single one of my boxes. His brown hair is tousled just enough to look sexy, not messy. Dark lashes frame his brilliant blue eyes. His square, smooth jawline complements the rest of his picture perfect face.
He looks like every fantasy I’ve ever had wrapped in an expensive suit.
Custom made.
I’m not just talking about the dark blue suit or gray tie.
If I were to place an order for a perfect man, Dale would drop from the sky and land in my bed.
A vision of what he must look like naked flashes in front of me.