“Well, I just had to be rescued from yet another catastrophe of a date, so I don’t know if I’m the best person to give any dating advice.”
“You’re single?” Emma chirps, basically jumping over Eric to talk to me. “You have to go out with Ty’s friend, Caleb. He’s so sweet!” She gushes as Eric pushes her out of his face.
“I’m starting to think dating is a bad idea,” I admit, “but I’m sure Caleb is great.”
Eric’s hand makes a fist against the table, and his jaw tightens. I can tell he’s tense.
“How did you know she needed you to save her from her date?” Emma asks, making Eric’s head snap to her.
“Would you take a breath? It was obvious. I’ve spent enough time with her to know how uncomfortable she was.”
I shift my eyes to him, “It was much appreciated. That guy was a joke.”
“Couldn’t be worse than the last. Nobody, and I mean nobody, could top Ashton Slade.” He growls, and I remember when Ashton was in my apartment, and Eric threw him out.
I was having a complete mental breakdown about every single life choice I’d ever made, and Hanna came to help me. Ashton barged in like the douchebag that he is, and Eric showed up at the right time. He basically put him on a plane back to Nashville, and I haven’t heard from him since.
“Wait!” Emma squeals, “The Ashton Slade? I freaking knew that you looked familiar. You’re Karly Dahl. I follow you on Instagram! I love your fitness app!”
Emma digs through her purse to find her phone, showing me the app I created on her home page.
Eric stalls, grabbing the phone from Emma’s hand. “What app?”
Emma yanks it back, opening the app to show it to Eric. “It’s genius. It literally tracks everything.”
He turns his eyes to me, “I didn’t know you did that?”
“Yeah,” I shrug the question off, “It’s no big deal. There are still some kinks to work out.”
Emma rolls her eyes, “Oh, shut up. It’s a big deal! Karly has like millions of followers on Instagram. Everyone literally looooooves her.”
I can feel my cheeks turning pink as she continues to gush, “Her abs are the kind that women would die for.”
Ty raises his brow, “Damn, Em. Should I be worried?”
Emma giggles, “No, stupid! I’m just saying she’s hot. Who wouldn’t want to date her? Everyone with a brain knows that Ashton fucked up.”
Eric blushes, and I can’t help but think about the other night after the bar.
I quickly change the subject, “It was nice to meet you all, but I really better be going. I have to get back to my apartment.”
Eric’s mother, Grace, smiles at me from across the table, “What’s the rush, dear?”
I look to Eric, who is staring at his glass, silent.
“I really, well,” I stutter, “I need to get home and feed my fish.”
Emma laughs, “Your fish?”
“Yeah,” I ramble, “They get so sad when I leave, and I can’t stand to see their sad little eyes staring at me through the glass.”
Ty spits his drink out, and Rich and Grace join in laughing.
“So I better get back,” I lie.
I begin to stand, and Eric’s grip is quick and tight on my wrist, pulling me back into my seat.
“You don’t even have fish,” he growls. “Just sit down and eat.”