“Chips,” Pops said.
“Huh?”
“Gregg spoke to ya, right? About the new range of bar snacks? The fancy ones.”
Nate scratched behind his ear. “Um. Maybe?”
“He did. I was there,” Abi said as she stood, having been crouched by one of the fridges.
Nate opened his mouth, glaring at her. “Well, there you go then. Guess he did.”
Abi chuckled. “I wouldn’t bother tryin’ to get any sense out of Nate today,” she said to Pops. “He’s been in a world of his own since I got here.”
Nate side-eyed Abi. “Traitor,” he uttered. He didn’t want to discuss what was going on in his head, and certainly not with Pops.
“So,” Pops folded his arms on top of one of the boxes he’d put on the bar, “what is it? Maybe we can help.” He lifted a finger, pointing between himself and Abi.
Nate shook his head. “It’s nothing, honestly.” Since the night Jared had kissed him, his head had been a mess. It didn’t matter whether he talked to anybody else or not, in the end it was a decision he had to make, and eventually, he had. When Jared showed up at the bar, he knew if he wanted to keep on spending time with him, he had to take a step.
A step? It had felt like a whole damn leap. But he’d done it, he’d asked Jared out.
And now what?
“Nothing, huh. Try saying that again, maybe this time you’ll sound like you mean it.” Pops grinned.
Nate sighed. “Where do people go to eat?”
“Is this a trick question?” Pops raised an eyebrow and glanced over to Abi.
Abi threw up her hand. “Oh, oh, I know. Pick me.”
“I mean, what kind of food. If you were taking someone out to eat. Where would you take them?” Nate tried to be vague but was pretty sure he just came across as talking nonsense.
Pops stroked his bearded jaw. “I guess that depends on the someone.”
“You mean a date,” Abi stated.
Nate lowered his head and looked at Pops through his lashes. “It’s not like that.”
“Uh huh.” Abi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “You’ve so got a date.”
“You do?” Pops sounded surprised, but the smile on his face was gentle, warm. “Is this why you wanted me to cover for you on Saturday?”
“It’s not a date. It’s…” Nate kneaded his brow. “Yes, I have a date,” he admitted. He had the overwhelming urge to apologize to Pops.
Pops nodded, and then patted the top of the box he was resting against. “Abi, I think I’ll leave this one to you.” He stood straight. “I’ll finish restocking the fridges.”
“Don,” Nate said without thinking.
“Hey now. Don’t go getting all serious on me. Way I see it, it’s a good thing you’re goin’ on a date.” Pops’ eyes filled with emotion, a strange happy-sad in them. He cleared his throat. “It really is.” He smiled. “But I’ll leave this to the young folk.” As he walked away he said, “Abi, good luck with this guy.”
Abi saluted then turned to Nate. “Here to help, boss.”
Nate’s chest tightened. “Yeah, Thanks.” I think.
“Is it that one from the other day?” she immediately asked when Pops was out of earshot, then proceeded to ask a string of questions. “Or someone else? Wait, is it a man? Or did you find yourself a nice lady friend? Where? Was it on one of those dating apps Gregg was trying to talk you into joining with him?”
Did she even stop to take a breath?
“Yes,” he said and held her gaze.
“Yes? To which one?”
When he didn’t clarify his answer, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll shut up. Tell me what you need.”
Nate pulled out his phone. “I don’t know. But it’s yes to the first one. My date’s with Jared, the man who came to the bar last week.”
She grinned, looking pleased with herself.
“What I need is some ideas. I haven’t dated in… a long time and have no idea what I’m doing.” He turned his cell over in his hand. “Rhea, she knew I was useless at this stuff. If she wasn’t the one organizing things, she’d leave some very obvious hints lyin’ around.”
“The date, is it just dinner?” Abi suddenly sounded serious, though there was a soft tone to her voice.
“Yeah.”
“Hand it over.” She wiggled her fingers. “I have a couple of ideas.”
“Really?” He unlocked his phone and handed it to her.
She flicked her thumb over the screen. “Yep. I would have had a few more but you’d struggle to get a reservation now for Saturday.” She smiled. “Okay, how about this one.” They bumped shoulders as she came close to show him. “Everyone loves Italian.” She tapped the screen and the menu popped up. “I recommend the meatballs.”
“Ricci’s. Have you been there?”
Abi nodded. “My sister works there so I could maybe even get you a discount.”
Nate glanced at the website. Italian food could work. He just hoped any lasagna they served wasn’t of the crispy, burned variety.
“It’s a pretty new place, kinda out of the way, but the food’s good, nice atmosphere.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, and I’m not just saying it because my sister works there.” She laughed.
“Thanks.” He smiled. “Really, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She rubbed his shoulder. “I’ll go give Pops a hand. The phone number is on the website.” She tapped the top of his phone as she passed. “Need anything else, just let me know.”
Nate inhaled. “Okay. No putting it off.” He scrolled back to the restaurant’s home page and jotted down the contact information to make the call.
A few minutes later, he’d reserved a table for two and was sending the details on to Jared.
Sounds great, Jared messaged back, and relief flooded Nate.
He’d taken another step in Jared’s direction.
The next few days passed in a blur of work and Luka, and finally it was Saturday morning and the mission to secure Luka a new pair of shoes.
“Well, that was easier than I thought it was going to be.” Nate glanced at Luka who was sucking on a lollipop.
No way had that been enough of a treat for Luka to
