He makes no secret of the fact he doesn’t really have any friends outside of work colleagues, so I think he’s just glad to have someone to unload on.
Lucky me.
Since the moment we walked out of my building together, I’ve been on edge.
It’s because of my stupid decision this morning to order those pastries. I’m still expecting Nico to pop up from behind one of these insane plants and pull the rug from beneath me.
But there’s been no sign of him. Not that I’ve really gone out of my way to search. I’ve been too scared to find out what might happen if he does show his face and introduce himself to my ‘date’.
A shiver of dread races down my spine as Brad continues to drone on.
Needing some excitement, I find my thumbs flying over my screen.
Brianna: No. I’m wondering what I was thinking, allowing you to touch me.
I have every intention of stuffing my phone back into my bag and placing it on the table so I have no idea if it goes off again, but his reply comes too quickly.
Nico: See… I was wondering the same thing about the prick who’s been touching you all night…
This time, my gasp is loud enough that it actually distracts Brad from his tireless chatter and he looks over with concern etched onto his features.
“Are you okay, baby?”
“Y-yes, sorry. Ignore me.”
His eyes narrow as he continues to study me.
“Could I get another drink?” I ask, reaching for my glass and swallowing the generous amount of champagne that’s still in there.
I might have been holding off, with the lingering memory of my recent hangover from hell ever present in my mind, but after reading that message, aware that he’s seen us, is potentially watching us, I need it. Hell, I might need the bottle.
“Of course.”
I cringe hard when Brad lifts his hand and clicks for the server like a pretentious prick who thinks the world owes him something.
And while he’s distracted playing the big man, another message comes through.
Nico: That dress though. *drooling emoji* I hope your date is aware that he isn’t the one who’s going to be peeling it from your body tonight…
Brianna: I don’t know where you are, but you need to leave. Who I spend time with, or what I do, has nothing to do with you. You told me what you think of me quite clearly the other day. Go and find someone else to torment.
Feeling satisfied with my achievement, I successfully shove my phone into my bag and place it on the table as my fresh glass appears before me.
Without wasting a second, I reach for it, allowing the mass of bubbles to explode on my tongue.
“Better?” Brad asks softly.
“Yes, thank you.”
Delusional idiot doesn’t even know what the issue was but is clearly happy it was fixed with a glass of Cristal.
“Are you ready to order your desserts?” the server asks.
Quickly grabbing the menu, I scan it while Brad rattles off his order as if he’d planned it before we even arrived. To be fair, he probably did. Spontaneous is not his thing.
“Could I get the torte?” I ask, mentioning the first thing I recognise. The menu is well beyond what I’m used to.
“Of course, and would you like a dessert wine with that? I can recommend—”