Page 68 of The Scientist
I recognized some of the other guys from the team hanging out on the front porch, sipping from plastic cups, including my endlessly entertaining comrade, Stuart. I was about to go over to say hello but hesitated when I saw who else was there. Jace, another of Lex’s coworkers, was also one of the porch dwellers.
I’d met him a few times when I’d been over for dinner at the guys’ house. Our interactions had always been friendly, but I think he must have misread our exchanges because he ended up asking me on a date yesterday when I saw him at the coffee shop. I was reminded of what my gran had once told me—women always flirt best with men they aren’t interested in.
My disinterest was through no fault of his. He seemed really nice and was definitely cute, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to date just yet, which is exactly what I told him.
“Hadley! HADLEYYYYY!” Stuart bellowed, waving his arms around wildly, gesturing for me to come over.
This should be interesting. I sighed and headed toward them.
“Hey Stuart,” I said, walking up the stairs of the porch.
He pulled me in for a tight hug like we hadn’t just seen each other yesterday.
“It’s my favorite gal pal, Hadley!” He reeked of booze. “Hadley, this is Dan, Friedrich, and you already know Peter.”
“Hey guys,” I said. They all gave the guy version of a hello—a quick head nod.
“And apparently you already know this asshole.” Stuart hooked his thumb toward Jace.
Jace gave me a kind smile. “Nice to see you again, Hadley.”
Stuart threw his arm over my shoulder. “We need you to clear something up, Betty,” he said. “Jace went around telling everyone at work today that he asked you out on a date and you said maybe.”
I looked over at Jace, who didn’t appear embarrassed in the least.
“That’s not exactly what I said,” Jace explained, grinning. “I told them you said you weren’t ready to date yet, but I’d be here when you were and that it would be worth the wait.” He winked, and I smiled back at him, thinking he must not have an insecure bone in his body with the way he was talking about this so openly in front of all his friends.
“What a schmuck,” Stuart said dramatically. “Are you seriously going to entertain this, Betty? Just get it over with and tell him you’re not interested.”
I wished I was interested in a guy like Jace. He seemed easygoing and not afraid to say exactly what he was thinking. Unfortunately, my feelings seemed to be tangled up in the silent, cryptic type lately.
“No, he’s telling the truth,” I said, not wanting to embarrass him. Though I was starting to think that wasn’t even possible. “I’m not ready to date yet, but he’s a perfectly good option for any woman in their right mind…which I’m clearly not.”
Jace smirked at my roundabout rejection, and I was happy to find it wasn’t a blow to his ego.
“Ridiculous!” Stuart said ten times louder than was necessary.
“Okay, good buddy.” I snatched his cup from him just as he tried to take another sip. “I think you’ve had enough.”
Peter rolled his eyes. “He had two beers and a shot but he’s acting like he did a whole keg stand.”
“I’m fine,” Stuart slurred.
I patted him lightly on the back. “I know you are, but you should probably give it a rest for now.”
“You’re right,” he said, touching his index finger to the tip of my nose. “We’re having a poker tournament, but I got cleaned out an hour ago, so all that was left to do was drink!”
I wondered if he had gotten any food in his system before this drinking binge. I might have to get something in him or else he was going to be extremely hungover.
“I guess what I’m really trying to tell you is we lost, Hadley… ergo, you are hanging out with a group of losers.” He made the L shape against his forehead. “You should go inside where the winners are.”
“Boy, you really can’t handle your liquor,” I said to him.
“Like a teenager on spring break,” Dan added.
I gave a small sigh. “I thinkImight need a drink.” I was definitely going to need one if I was going to deal with this fool.
“Your wish, my command,” Stuart said, bowing down low in front of me and almost falling over.