Chapter 8
Spontaneity for the Win
Walking into my apartment, I found the aftermath of the girls’ night: empty wine bottles, open bags of chips, half-eaten dip, the leftovers from the restaurant, and dirty glasses. Putting on my rubber gloves, I went to work cleaning.
It had been a long day, but I relished in the victory. I was surprised Harry had gone down so easily, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Getting out the stovetop cleaner, I was about to go to town on my electric range when my phone started ringing with a call from an unsaved number.
“Hello?”
“Harper, it’s Rhett. Is this a bad time?” His low timbre wafted through the speaker.
“No, it’s a perfect time. How are you?”
“Feeling foolish for calling you so soon, but I couldn’t wait to set our date.”
“Never feel foolish for calling me for that reason,” I cooed into the phone.
I could hear him let out a forced sigh. “Okay, good. Have you ever been to the Drum and Quill? I know it isn’t Noble Fare or anything fancy, but it’s a cool spot.”
“I know it well and I love that place. Way more up my alley than a swanky spot.”
“How does tonight sound?”
He is eager.
“I’m currently elbow-deep in cleaning products,” I confessed, looking down at my ragged clothes.
“That’s sexy,” he teased. “Meet me there in an hour. Wear your cleaning clothes. It’s a turn-on.”
“You’re a weird one.”
“You have no idea. See you soon.”
“Bye, Rhett. I look forward to not having to run into you for a change.”
“That feeling is extremely mutual.”
I hopped in the shower, tried to find halfway decent clothes, smeared on makeup, and was out the door in record time.
As I walked into my normal watering hole, my knees shook. I was always nervous on first dates, but this one took the cake. To my surprise, Rhett was standing at the entrance, waiting for me.
“I like a woman who is a little early for a date,” he remarked as he walked up to me.
“What a coincidence—I like a guy who is a little early for a date.”
He grabbed my hand. “Bar or table?”
“Bar works for me.”
Following Rhett, I saw that Waylon was behind the bar.
Waving over to Annabelle’s guy, I took my seat next to Rhett.
“You do come here often,” Rhett commented when Waylon nodded and started making my drink without me saying a word.
“My friend is kind of dating the owner,” I explained as he put a gin and tonic right in front of me.