I laughed. “Your turn.” I pointed to another couple.
“I think he just told his wife how fortunate the gentleman by the fish tank is to be on a date with such a beautiful redhead.”
I looked to either side of us. “There’s another redhead here?” I was used to being the only one around.
A smile stretched across his handsome face. “No. At least, not any real ones like you.”
Blood rushed to my face. Half because of his compliment, half because he understood the difference between real and fake red hair, and half because I had been too dense to realize what he’d been saying. And yes, I know that’s three halves. “Youknow, you’re supposed to butter the rolls, not your girlfriend.”Girlfriend?!
Chastity yelped, like that could somehow undo what I’d just done.
What kind of crazy girl refers to herself as someone’s girlfriend five minutes into the first date? I coughed and took a sip of water.
Dr. Lyons laughed and nodded toward Chastity and Madison’s table. “What about them? Wait, isn’t that the girl that was at your apartment the other night?”
“What? No.”Don’t look at them!“I’ve never seen those people before in my life. And they’re clearly a lesbian couple debating the existence of vampires.”
He laughed and looked back at his menu. “So what are you gonna order?”
I took the moment to shoo Chastity and Madison away.
“We’re helping,” Chastity mouthed silently at me.
“Go away,” I mouthed back.
She gave me her sassiest expression.
Get out of here, you psychos.I knew Single Girl Rule #34 dictated that they had the right to be here, but they were too freaking close. They were supposed to spy on me from across the restaurant. This wasn’t spying. This was an invasion of privacy.
“Ash?” Dr. Lyons said.
“Hm?”
“I asked what you were ordering.”
“Oh. Probably the petite filet Oscar. With a side of lobster mashed potatoes. And a bottle of the 1986 Pinot Noir.”
Dr. Lyons’ eyes got big. “Sounds delicious.”
“I’m just joking. I’m not going to get a $120 dinner and a $600 bottle of wine. I’d only do that on our second date.”
“Oh thank God.” He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. “I want to show you a good time, but I do still have to pay my rent.”
“I’m actually just going to get the shrimp and grits. You?”
“Probably the chicken tagine.”
“Exotic.”
I heard Chastity laugh, but I didn’t acknowledge her presence.Chicken tagine is exotic, Chastity. #Exotic.Boom, nailed the hashtag thing again.
“I got a taste for it during my tour in the Middle East.”
“The Middle East? Were you there for Doctors Without Borders or something?”
He fidgeted with his water glass and looked down at it. “No. I was in the army.”
“Wait, so let me get this straight. You’re a pediatriciananda veteran? Do you also feed homeless children and sing to the elderly?”
