Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(17)

Clearly amused, she smiled. “I have to say it’s one of the more original names I’ve heard in a while.”

“I’m pretty much used to it. Last name is Wayne.” He sipped his coffee. “You’re waiting for someone?” He’d deduced that much easily enough.

She glanced at her wrist. “He’s already fifteen minutes later than we originally agreed, and then he texted to let me know he was running a few minutes behind. Like I hadn’t noticed.”

“Not a great way to start off your evening, is it?”

“No, but this is typical of Todd.” She didn’t sound overly pleased with her date.

Her phone beeped again, and she reached for it. “Now he says he’ll be another fifteen minutes.” She tossed her phone back in the purse and looked across the table at Rooster. “I’m not waiting.” She hesitated and then seemed to reach some decision within herself. “I realize it’s last-minute, but how would you like to go to dinner with me?”

“What about your friend?”

She shrugged. “He had his chance. As it happens, he’s the one who insisted we meet. I told him earlier we were finished, but he wanted to talk me out of breaking up with him. Fat chance of that happening, especially now, although my mind was already made up.”

“Long-term relationship?”

“Too long. Are you interested in dinner?”

“Sure.” He didn’t want to appear overly eager; the truth was, he could hardly believe his luck. “Do you have someplace in mind?”

“Do you like Thai?”

“Love it.”

“Great. I know a small restaurant a couple of blocks over.”

This was certainly an interesting development, not that Rooster objected. He just never expected a classy woman like Lauren to be interested in him. Not that she was. Her date had basically stood her up and she didn’t want to eat alone, and he was handy. Still, he wasn’t going to complain.

Seeing that the place she mentioned was within a short distance, he left his bike parked down the block from the yarn store. They walked side by side, and right away Rooster noticed the curious looks people gave them. It didn’t bother him. They did make an odd couple. Him in his motorcycle gear and her, the elegant and stylish businesswoman.

“Are you going to let your date know?” he asked.

“Oh, I probably should, but a part of me would like him to arrive and wonder where I went. Although, heaven knows Todd should be able to figure it out on his own.” She retrieved her cell, punched out the message, and tucked it back in her purse. “That’s one of the things I dislike about myself. I’m such a good girl, always doing what’s right, always following the rules.”

“You consider that a flaw?”

“Not a flaw—it’s just that I’m so predictable.”

Rooster shook his head. “I wouldn’t say that. You surprised me by asking me to dinner.”

She laughed, and the sound was as pleasant as a melody. “Truth is, I surprised myself. You seem like an interesting man.”

“Really?” Rooster didn’t view himself that way. Max was the good-looking one. Rooster had never been much of a ladies’ man and had always been a bit awkward around the opposite sex, which was probably the reason why at age thirty-nine he remained single. He’d married young and it’d been a mistake, one he’d put behind him a long time ago.

“You’re a good person to have as a friend, aren’t you?” Lauren asked, glancing toward him as they walked.

Ah, so that was it. She was letting him know she wasn’t interested in him romantically. He was being friend zoned.

“What was that?” she asked.

He frowned. “What was what?”

“That look, just now. What’s wrong?”

Rooster wasn’t aware he’d given any outward indication to what he was thinking. That she found it easy to read him came as a revelation. “It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s not. What did I say?”

She seemed to be mentally reviewing their conversation. “I mentioned that you must be a good person to have as a friend. It isn’t everyone who would ride twenty hours, or however long it took you to reach Seattle, with a buddy, especially when you knew that once you arrived you’d be on your own.”

“I enjoy long bike rides and it’d been a while since my last road trip,” Rooster answered, dismissing her praise.

“You found that comment insulting?”

“No.”

“I probably wouldn’t have said anything, but being a good friend is a quality I want on my list.”

“List?”

“Oh, sorry, it’s just a list that I made up of what I think is important.”

“In a man?”

“In anyone.” She pointed straight ahead. “That’s the restaurant I mentioned. The food’s wonderful.”

From the way she quickly changed the subject, Rooster could see she regretted saying anything about this list she’d compiled.

When Lauren said the restaurant was small, she wasn’t kidding. The scent of spices and basil reminded Rooster once more of how long it’d been since he’d had a decent meal. They were seated right away in a booth that required them to remove their shoes and climb into the low seats. Rooster gave Lauren his hand and helped her into the booth before taking his own seat. The petite waitress dressed in traditional Thai garb immediately brought them menus. After discussing the wine option, they chose a bottle of sauvignon blanc.