Page 28 of On the Double
“Of course. What can I get you?”
He shot me a charming smile, but I could tell he was irritated he was pulled away from the woman he was talking to.
“Mango Margarita.”
“Coming up.”
Before I could slip away, Fox was pulling me by the arm over to a round table where several other men sat. Edu took his seat, not bothering to make room for me, but that was okay. I clearly freaked him out with my obsessive observations and daydreams.
“You know Edu. He hates eighties music, by the way. And then there’s Lock. Careful around him.”
“Why? Is he dangerous?” I whispered.
“We’re all dangerous, but that’s not why you have to be careful. There are two things you have to know about Lock. One, he is a fearless leader, always thinking ten steps ahead. And two…he will plan out the seating arrangements if you let him.”
Lock tossed a crumpled up napkin at Fox, hitting him in the face. “I have other qualities.”
“Yes, like that amazing hair. You don’t see that just anywhere. And then we have Brock. He’s the other Lock. Pretty and always carrying a comb. He probably has more hair products than you do.”
“Um…”
“And finally, we have Scottie Dog.”
“That’s not really his name, is it?”
The man grinned at me, popping some nuts in his mouth. “Just Scottie.”
“He’s also known as the vomit comet and has some pretty dangerous tactical vomit, if you get too close.”
The smile on Scottie’s face instantly disappeared. “I’m also an excellent pilot.”
“Well, that too,” Fox chuckled. “And you know me.”
“Yes, the man who eats avocados in the check out lane.”
“They were delicious,” he said, unapologetically.
My eyes shifted again to Edu, who was doing his best to ignore me.
“Your margarita,” the waitress said, holding it out to me.
I took it from her, unsure of what to do now. Was I supposed to sit down or go back to the bar? I took a sip and glanced around for Luna, but she was nowhere to be seen. This was not how I planned on this night going.
Finally, as if Edu had no other choice, he dragged a chair over beside him. “You can sit here.”
“Actually, I’m meeting a friend.”
But Fox was already shoving me over to the seat, pushing me into it. I plopped down, all too aware of how close my leg was to Edu’s. He noticed too, based on how his hand flinched away from my skin as if I burned him. I smiled internally, knowing I was getting to him.
It seemed everyone else at the table was also aware of how uncomfortable I was making Edu.
“So, how is it you know our good friend?” Scottie asked.
“Oh, I don’t know him. He seems to always show up in my grocery line.”
“I don’t show up in your line. It’s just the only one available. Probably because you’re daydreaming all the time.”
“Only about you,” I said, patting his hand as I grinned.