Page 19 of From That Moment

“This is embarrassing.”

“We only ordered water, so why don’t you go? I’ll handle the waiter.”

He gave me a pleading look, and I shook my head.

“Not going to happen, Kansas.”

“You have my number in case you ever want to join June and me. We play Yahtzee on Thursday night, too. And that’s not a euphemism. We like to yell out ‘Yahtzee’ while even playing the game.”

He winked, and I still didn’t know if that was an actual euphemism or not. And then he left.

And there I was, sitting at my table, looking at his empty seat and my now-cold naan, wondering exactly what I was supposed to do now. Did I leave a tip? Did I pay for the naan even though we hadn’t ordered? Did I crawl and hide?

Thankfully, the family of four left before I had a chance to say anything, but then a shadow covered my table, and I had a horrible feeling.

I looked up and swallowed hard.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

Prior shrugged. “My neighborhood is right behind this place. I come here often. I noticed a man walking away from your table, so I figured I’d see what was up.”

“Is there like a candid camera here to watch me have these bad dates? Are you orchestrating it or something?” I asked, rubbing my temples.

“No, but it sounds like you could use a drink.”

“I did not BYOB.”

He held up a thermal case. “I brought wine.”

“You brought wine to sit by yourself?” I asked and then could’ve slapped myself. “Wait, where’s Allison?”

“Allison is at work.” He rolled his eyes. “I was stood up. Which is fine. She said she might have to work late, but I figured I’d show up anyway since I’m starving. So, mind if I join you?”

“I’m not having dinner with you while you should be with a girlfriend,” I said. There were rules about that sort of thing.

“We’re coworkers. Friends. Well…practically.”

“Thanks,” I said, putting as much sarcasm as I could into my tone.

“Come on. We’ll eat. You’ll tell me exactly what made you blush so hard, and I’ll make sure I tell Allison what we’re doing.”

I sighed. Frankly, I was starving and wanted to eat my naan. Even if it was cold, it was delicious anyway.

“Fine, but this is embarrassing.”

Prior just shook his head, smiled at me, and then went over to talk to the waiter.

They switched out his water glass, popped open the bottle of wine, and we both ordered our meals quickly. It was as if Kansas had never been there, and I hadn’t been utterly embarrassed.

I was sure the waitstaff would be talking about this for a while because it wasn’t precisely like Kansas had been quiet. But still, I was exhausted, utterly tired of dating.

Prior frowned as the waiter put fresh naan on the table, but I held up my hand when he tried to take the old naan.

“I’ll eat that, too. Please, don’t waste food.”

He smiled and then walked away, and I dug into the naan, wanting its yummy goodness to make everything better.

I sighed. “I’m done,” I mumbled before I even realized I’d said the words.