“It’salready paid for, buddy,”Jacesays. “Yours, too.”
Jacepaid for our meals?I’mtrying to figure out my conflicting emotions around that when my attention flies toSpenceras he says to me in a fierce voice, “No.Youarenotleaving in the middle of our date.”
And, it has nothing to do with being clear and everything to do with him not being okay with it ending beforehesays it ends.I’mnot about to keep myself in a bad situation just so he can get what he wants.
“Youdon’t know what you’re missing out on,” he adds loudly enough that heads really start turning in our direction. “I’mthe perfect guy.Womenlove me.”
Yeah.Womenlove their dates being loud and demanding in a restaurant.
“Youare not going to embarrass me like this.No, you agreed to this date, and you’re with me until the end.”Hejabs his pointer finger into the table as if it’s final.
Jaceshakes his head. “Listen.It’snot going to happen.”Hestands and holds out a hand to me.Ismile and take it asIstand up, too, and then grab my to-go bag.
Spencerstands and steps right in front of me, attempting to block me from leaving.ButJacejust gives him a curt nod, gives me a little tug toward him, and we walk aroundSpencerand to the door.
Whenwe step out into the night,Iwant to pump my fist.Doa victory cheer.Thisisn’t my first bad date whereI’veleft early, but it’s the first one that has made me feel so triumphant.
Iturn toJace, a smile spread clean across my face. “Ikind of wanted to punchSpencerat the end.I’mimpressed you stayed so calm.”
Jaceshrugs with one shoulder, and that simple gesture in his crisp white button-down shirt shows off some pretty great shoulder muscles.It’sa testament to how much funIwas having chatting with him in the restaurant thatIdidn’t notice earlier.Thenhe says, “I’vehad a lot of experience figuring out when to punch a jerk and when to walk away.”Heglances toward the street. “Ican get anUberto take you home.”
“Oh.No, that’s okay—Idrove here.Younever know how a first date is going to turn out, andIlike to come prepared.Thankyou for jumping in to help, by the way.Ihad no problem ending the date in the restaurant, butIworried that withSpencer’spersistence, he’d follow me to my car.”
“You’rewelcome.”Heholds out a hand to me. “Weweren’t officially introduced.I’mJaceLancaster.”
Ishift my bag of takeout (which smells amazing) to my other hand and shakeJace’s. “MackenzieMacNeil.”
Jacescratches the back of his neck like he’s unsure if he should ask, but he says, “Outof curiosity, canIask how you wound up on this date?”
Ilaugh a little. “Validquestion.Mysister,Maggie, is always giving me grief about not dating much.”Jaceraises an eyebrow in question, butI’mnot about to get into my history of past relationships gone awry with someoneIbarely met, soIbarrel forward. “Andher husband,Rowan, works with this guy’s brother.Ihad planned to tell them that the date went horribly wrong so they won’t line me up with anyone again, butIdidn’t think it would be so true.”
Bothof us glance toward the front doors of the restaurant asSpencerstorms out, his eyes immediately finding us in the parking lot. “Lookslike your hunch about him following you out of the restaurant was right.”
Isigh. “Doyou think he was delayed in coming out because it took that long for enough righteous indignation to build or because it took that long for the waiter to box up his food?”
Therestaurant door opens again and the waiter steps out, holding a bag of food and wearing a confused expression, like he doesn’t understand whySpencerleft without it.Spencersnatches it from the guy’s hand and starts stomping toward us.
“Go,”Jacesays. “I’lltake care of this.”
“Areyou sure?”
Jacenodded. “I’vegot it.”
Iwalk toward my car andSpencerdoesn’t follow— he stalks right up toJaceand jabs him in the chest with a finger. “You’renot going to ruin my date like this.”
“Yourdate was already ruined.She’snot interested.Justaccept it and move on.”
Iunlock my door, but the part of me that would also watch a train wreck keeps me from opening it yet.
“Shewas interested until you came along.Shedoesn’t even know yet what she’s missing out on.”
Ican tell by the wayJace’sbreathing makes his shoulders rise and fall that he’s getting a little annoyed.ThenIhear him say, “Maybeyou should pull out thatCIAbadge and take it up withLangley.”
“Youknow,IthinkIwill,”Spencersays. “Whateveryour job is, it’ll be gone by tomorrow.Maybea few nights in jail will teach you a lesson.”
Iwant to keep watching, but they’re likely to look over soon, and it’ll be weird ifIam just standing like a statue at my car door.Iget in my car and start it, but asI’mbacking out of my parking stall,Ikeep craning my neck to watch them.
Iglance out my side window asIput my car into drive and start inching toward the road.Spencertakes a step back, holding his hands up, andIreally wishIhad thought to lower my window soIcould catch their conversation.
