Harvey: Well, you’ll find that I am not like most guys. See you tomorrow night.
Me: See you then.
I threw my phone back onto the bathmat next to me and leaned back in the suds.
What a crazy day.
* * *
The next daydragged on slower than molasses in winter time. Work was blah. My mood was blah. Nothing seemed entertaining. All I could focus on was making it to six o’clock when I’d be able to head home and get ready for yet another first date.
Even though Harvey had piqued my interest, I was still skeptical. I liked that he was forward, and on paper, everything seemed to check out, but I was done getting my hopes up.
Around four in the afternoon, I rattled off a text to the Happy Hour Club’s group message.
Harper: Anyone free around 6:30 to help me get ready for another date?
Caroline: I have a ton of spelling tests to grade so…count me in! I’ll bring the wine and a buttload of paperwork with me.
Sawyer: I have a meeting with a bride and groom tonight. Sorry guys.
Annabelle: I have a date tonight too. Can I get ready with you?
Harper: Sawyer, that sucks, but fine. Annie, of course! So exciting!
Sawyer: Trust me, this one reeks of bridezilla. I would much rather hang with y’all but I have bills to pay.
Caroline: Adulting sucks. Good luck, Sawyer. See the rest of you at Harper’s in a bit.
Harper: See you guys soon.
I went on with the rest of my day routinely, just biding my time until I could head home. After making sure the video of Dahlia’s fight was saved for backup ammo, I closed my laptop and shoved it into my bag.
“Have a good night, Susie,” I called over as I locked my office door.
“You too, Miss Collins,” she sang out with a cheeky smile.
“One of these days I am going to break you of that filthy habit,” I pestered for the hundredth time.
She laughed. “I feel my resolve for defiance weakening already.”
“Good.” I gave her a little grin before making my way to the parking lot.
I made it back to my apartment just as Caroline and Annabelle were getting out of their cars, and I greeted them with a smile.
Striding over to me,they followed as I opened my front door.
“Yay for girls’ night! I am so jealous you guys have dates and I am going to be alone all night correcting the abysmal spelling of these first graders,” Caroline complained as she roped us into a group hug.
“All in due time, Caroline. You’ll find someone,” I comforted. “What about that sexy new teacher who works down the hall from you?”
She pulled a huge binder out of her purse, setting it on the table. “I don’t think Mr. Grey’s husband would be too keen on me dating him.”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” I popped open the first bottle of wine, pouring them glasses.
“So, Harper, who’s the guy tonight?” Annabelle asked, throwing her duffle bag of clothes and makeup onto my couch.
I pulled out my phone and let them huddle around as I showed them Harvey’s dating profile.