A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(45)
“Dan, if I’m putting my ass on the line for you then you better play this straight. Do not try me, your buddy Troy might not be around to stop me next time.” I warned, still unsure I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life.
“I’ll be good. I promise.” Dan winked as he moved out of his seat. “Just make sure she’s pretty.”
“Get out of here before I change my mind.” I could feel a migraine forming in my frontal lobe.
“Bye Lexi, call me later with the details and thanks.” Dan waved as he made his way to the door.
Troy hugged me quickly before making his exit. “Bye Lex, hope you enjoy the rest of your day.” His smile lingered as he pushed Dan out the door.
“Bye.” I sighed as I watched them both leave, absorbing the moment before reaching into my drawer and grabbing my phone. There was only one person I could trust with this. Someone who was sassy, intelligent and who wouldn’t take Dan’s shit. She also coincidently met the only criteria he had - she was stunning. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer, this was going to be the mother of all favours.
Chapter 10 - Coffee and The Pitch
“Alrighty then, what’s so important that you have to drag me to this god-awful coffee shop.” Sydney collapsed into the chair opposite me. Her slender frame was wrapped in the latest Italian design as usual but she looked different. Her short blonde graduated bob had been lightened, making her piercing blue eyes sparkle behind the dark rims of her angular glasses. Her effervescence overflowed, as did her oversized handbag as it came crashing down nosily onto the table.
“I thought you liked coffee? Don’t tell me you’ve given it up?” I smiled. Oh how I’d missed Sydney. She was one in a million.
“Is the Pope bloomin’ Catholic? Of course I’m still drinking coffee but this place is bloody terrible.” She grimaced as the tall latte I’d ordered on her behalf was placed on the table. Sydney seemed unconcerned that her declaration had offended the waitress who slunk away in horror.
“This place comes highly recommended.” I sipped tentatively at my hot chocolate. Yuck. Sydney was right, this place was terrible. I don’t know how you can screw up a hot chocolate but what was in my cup could only be described as hot mud with frothy milk.
“Horrible,” Sydney licked the foam from the top of her coffee. “Whoever recommended it was trying to kill you. I suggest you add them to your hit list.”
“You don’t have to drink it.” I placed my cup back on the table resigned to the fact that it wasn’t fit for human consumption.
“It’s still coffee Lexi. And even the worst coffee is still better than none. Plus I’ve got a feeling I’m going to need it.” Sydney winked as she took another gulp of the swill that was masquerading as a latte.
“So… are you seeing anyone?” I asked as I casually stirred my hot chocolate. I knew I should have probably eased into the conversation but having never set anyone up, I wasn’t sure on protocol.
“You taking a survey? Since when have the romps between my sheets been worthy of a midday appointment?” Sydney arched her brow, nothing was getting by her and she knew my question was more than just conversation.
“So no boyfriend I take it.” I pushed a little further. There was no way I would subject her to a “Dan date” if she was in a relationship. No matter how desperate he was.
“Nothing steady but I’ve got a few fellas on the bench.” Sydney stretched her neck side to side as if she were limbering up. I’m guessing the lack of relationship didn’t mean lack of company. Not that I was surprised, Sydney was gorgeous and guys fell over themselves when they heard her accent.
“Feel like dating someone who has graduated from high school for a change?” Sydney did have a tendency to date younger guys. It had never been my thing, as I actually preferred they had stopped playing with Legos and moved out of home. Dan was slightly above the age pool Sydney liked to dip her toe into.
“The last guy was in college, not high school, thank you very much.” Sydney corrected me, not taking my dig about her dating younger guys personally. Similarly to the way the band would call each other douchebags, we considered our volley of mockery akin to terms of endearment.
“Still, might be interesting to go out with someone who is more established. Isn’t variety supposed to be the spice of life?” I started to grasp at straws. How does one sell a date with Dan?
“If you are quoting fortune cookies, I know we’re in trouble. Who is he and what’s wrong with him?” Sydney lowered her coffee cup down into the table front of her and pursed her lips with distaste. Whether it was the coffee or the topic of conversation, I couldn’t be sure.
“Why do you assume there is something wrong with him? He’s actually exceptionally good looking, has an amazing body and is highly successful. If I were single…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. In truth Dan was actually all of those things but no matter how single I had been, I could never have dated Dan. There was a fine line between creative marketing and out and out lying.
“So what’s the catch? Does he have a strange exotic disease? Small penis? Why does he have the famous Lexi Reed shopping around for a date for him?” Sydney questioned, knowing there had to be a reason someone so eligible was still on the market.