Page 56 of Taking Sides

I rub my forehead with two fingers. “I appreciate the thought but what’s worse: blowing another date or having my friends babysit me the entire time?”

They both think about it for too long.

“The second,” I answer for them while they’re still contemplating. “Just . . . stay over here while I try to salvage the second-worst date in history.”

I leave them at the bar and head back to Whitney. She glances up at me and smiles as I take my seat.

“Everything okay?” she asks.

“Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.” She leans forward, elbows on the table. “Do they want to join us?”

I bark out a laugh. “Oh yeah, they’d love that.”

She stares at me like she’s waiting for an explanation, so I let out a sigh. “They came to make sure I didn’t freeze up and scare you off a second time.”

Her mouth falls open, and she lets out one small chuckle of anxious laughter.

“I think they also wanted to meet you. I don’t date a lot and⁠—”

“They’re curious about you going out with Victor Aven’s sister?”

“Yeah.”

“I get it.”

“You do?”

“Well, no, not exactly, but it’s sweet they’re looking out for you, and I get that my brother adds another level to this thing.”

“Yeah, sweet is not the word I’d use,” I say dryly. “More like embarrassing. Like I need more help in that department,” I mutter under my breath. “Anyway, I told them to stay over there, so they shouldn’t bother us again.”

She glances over my shoulder to the bar.

“Are they watching us?” I ask, though I’m certain I know the answer.

She nods. “Yeah.”

“I’m really sorry. Do you want to go somewhere else?” So much for redeeming myself tonight.

Her gaze comes back to land on me. I can’t believe she hasn’t run out the door yet.

“Would it help to have your friends with us?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said they were worried about you freezing up. Are you also worried about that?”

“Always,” I admit.

“Is it easier with them around?”

My immediate reaction is to say no, but that isn’t completely accurate. “Sometimes.”

Her brows lift as if to suggest something.

“Oh no.” I shake my head. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”