Guilt twisted in his gut. The right thing to do would’ve been to tell her outright that it wasn’t going to work, but that was also the hard thing to do. Zac stopped at the bar and leaned against it, nodding at Emily when she glanced his way. She waved her fingers. Zac faked a large smile before turning his back to her.
“Need a drink?” the bartender said.
Zac grimaced. “No, an escape route. Got one of those?”
The bartender glanced over Zac’s shoulder. “From her? You’re nuts. She’s ripe.”
Zac followed his gaze. Emily sat with perfect posture and reapplied her lipstick using a silver compact. “Yeah, I know.”
“Just tell her work called—”
Zac faced the bartender again. “I’m in college. No job until after graduation.”
“Okay then, one, you’re a lucky sonofabitch, and, two, tell her one of your parents needs something.” The bartender shrugged then leaned closer. “Whatever lie you spill, make sure you tell her your buddy Mick,” he pointed at his name tag, “will take her home when his shift ends.”
Zac glanced back at Emily. He could use his dad’s recent surgery as a reason to bolt. But that wasn’t right. And he certainly wasn’t leaving Emily behind with a complete stranger. Although, what the hell did he know about her? They’d met once and Zac got her number. They didn’t even text or chat before dinner. Zac knew nothing about her other than she was a sponge who soaked up information to please him. He wanted a challenge. He wanted someone with their own opinions.
He let his phone drop from his ear and stared at the screen. The Blind Friends app glared at him. A white box with a blue, shadow boxed B and F had a prominent place on his front screen. He pressed the icon. A list of suggested friends popped up, but his gaze moved to the upper right corner where the envelope was. No new messages. He hadn’t heard from her since yesterday. It was insane to think she’d get back to him with any sense of immediacy. They didn’t even know each other for crying out loud.
Then a red one appeared, and his heart slipped into overdrive.
Zac knew it was time to go. He headed back to his table with a swift nod to Mick.
“Everything okay?” Emily asked, her doe eyes seemed concerned, but Zac wasn’t sure.
“Yeah,” he motioned to the waiter as he passed. “Check please?”
Emily’s smile turned sultry. “Your place or mine?”
He slipped into his seat. She is so clueless. He debated how to answer that when the waiter appeared like an apparition with the check. “Hold please,” Zac said as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket and put the credit card into the black bi-fold. He didn’t even look at the bill. Zac rolled his finger in a circle to indicate he was in a hurry and the waiter nodded.
“Well?” Emily asked. She squeezed his thigh under the table.
“Not here.” Zac pulled his leg away from her firm grip.
“But later?” Her head dipped, and she stared at him through her lashes.
Jesus, maybe she just wants to get laid. Not that there was anything wrong with that. People had needs. Zac started this evening with that possibility in mind. He knew she wasn’t anything more than a one or two date deal when he asked her out. Clearly she felt the same way. But there wasn’t even a twitch from him. Not an ounce of desire.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. It wasn’t her. That wasn’t how the app worked, but the idea it could’ve been sent his heart ablaze. He’d have to meet his mystery girl. Sooner rather than later. Zac took his phone from his pocket as if it was something important. Just a text from Lauren about the tuxes. Nothing that couldn’t wait.
The waiter brought back the card. Zac signed the receipt, giving a twenty percent tip. “Let’s go,” he said to Emily.
She followed him out of the restaurant. “Slow down, tiger. We’ll get there.”
Zac kept his face forward, so she wouldn’t see him roll his eyes. He must be an idiot to pass up a quick lay. She was willing, and no doubt ready. He could probably just push her against his car, have his way with her, then send her home in a cab before they even left the parking lot. He unlocked his car and turned to face her.
“This isn’t going to happen,” he said without a single hint of remorse.
“Excuse me?” Emily stepped up to him, pressing her hand against his crotch. He stepped back, but her fingers squeezed too hard. Zac winced. He didn’t want her touching him at all. Her pretty mouth dipped down into a frown. “You’re soft.”
Zac swiveled his hips to free himself from her grasp. “You’re a nice girl, but—”
“Seriously?” She stuck her hip out and glared at him. The sweet innocence from the restaurant disappeared when they left. The come-and-take-me expression she wore shifted into full rage mode. Anger turned her ugly. “I went along with your stupid bullshit all night, and you shut me down now?”
Where had this vixen been all night? She had passion, flare, and style. The Emily he’d had dinner with was nothing but a facade. He preferred the real one standing in front of him. But it was too late. He’d already discovered her secret. She’d do whatever it took to get what she wanted, including faking her personality. He didn’t need that kind of headache in his life.
“You know what? Whatever.” She turned on her heel and stalked back toward the restaurant. “I saw at least four guys in that restaurant who’d love to spend the night with me. I’ll go rock their world instead.”
All four? he wanted to ask. But he really didn’t want to know. “Don’t forget Mick the bartender. He said he’d
