She winked. “I ‘accidentally’ comped your meal.
Crazy how that happens sometimes.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh. “You saved me.”
She shrugged. “Like I said, I’ve seen this before.”
For the first time all night, I smiled genuinely.
“I owe you one.”
She tapped the table. “Tell you what. You can owe me a drink sometime.
With someone who actually wants to be on a date with you.”
I looked at her, really looked at her this time. Emily wasn’t just kind; she was beautiful, her eyes filled with warmth and humor. And she’d just gone out of her way to help a total stranger.
“That,” I said, sliding my phone across the table to her, “sounds like the best deal I’ve had all night.”
She smiled, typing in her number.
As I walked out of the restaurant, I glanced down the street where Lily had disappeared.
I wasn’t mad. If anything, I was grateful.
Because sometimes, the wrong date leads you to the right person.
