Glancing over my shoulder, I was happy to see the kind face of Rhett as he took a seat next to me.
“You always show up with impeccable timing.”
“Oh really? Another one of your clients going to show up fist-fighting their spouse?” Rhett sniggered.
“This time it was me almost getting into a fight,” I admitted before slamming down the bottom of my cocktail.
Rhett waved over to the bartender. “Can we have another round over here please? I’ll have whatever she’s having.”
“Coming right up,” the leathered barkeep replied.
“Care to elaborate on your night?” Rhett turned more toward me. “By the way, you look stunning tonight. Was it a date from hell?”
“Thank you for noticing.” I smoothed out my dress a little. “And you nailed it—totally awful first date.”
“He didn’t check his dating profile while he was at the table, did he?”
“No.” I giggled. “Is that a thing that has actually happened to you?”
Rhett held up two fingers. “It has happened to me twice, with two different women.”
“Holy fuck. You win.” I raised my rocks glass to his. “Cheers to the terrible plight of the dating game.”
“It really is awful, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Is it too much to ask for a person to just be decent? My standards aren’t even that high.”
“I’m on a dating hiatus for the time being. I can’t keep dealing with all the women looking for free meals and asking if I like having things shoved up my butt.”
I nearly spit out my drink. “You cannot be serious!”
He shrugged. “It happens more than I care to admit. Most of the time, a question along those lines is dropped like an atom bomb before the first drinks have even been consumed.”
“And I thought the dude who admitted to having a micro-penis on the first date was terrible,” I confessed.
“Well, I’m glad I could save you from being alone tonight. Is the dude still here?” Rhett followed my gaze into the dining room.
I pointed to the table in the middle of the restaurant. “He’s right over there.”
My dinner was delivered and Rhett cocked his head to the side. “I have an idea. Go with me here.”
“Okay…” I narrowed my gaze at him as he called over to the bartender.
“Will you wrap this up for her please?” Pulling out his credit card, he shoved it into the man’s hand. “Put it all on my tab and close us out.”
“You got it, sir.”
“You don’t have to pay for me,” I protested, pulling my wallet out.
“It’s my pleasure,” Rhett said with a smile, waving me off. He grabbed the doggy bag from the bar top and took my hand. “Come on. Just laugh and pretend we’re having the best time.”
Dragging me right through the middle of the restaurant, Rhett laughed along with me, glancing over his shoulder at me just as we passed Harvey’s table. “I am so glad I ran into you tonight, beautiful!” Rhett called out.
I looked back to see Harvey stewing as he glared at us.
Best comeback ever.
As we made it out of the restaurant, Rhett turned to me. “Can I give you a ride home?”