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"I didn't take you as a bargain shopper," I say as I rub lass I should switch to water or I' to have a massive headache tomorrow

"I'm not," he clarifies "But it's easier to schedule an Uber on their app than to call for a cab"

"Huh Learn so new every day"

Reed chuckles and turns his head to look across the restaurant We ended up going to an Irish publike restaurant, and the Smithwick's went doay too fast Reed motions to a waitress and she comes over

"Would ye two like another?" she asks in a lilting Irish accent

Reed shakes his head and leans to the side slightly to pull his wallet out "Just the check"

The waitress turns away and I open my purse and reach for my wallet, but I'm stopped when Reed says, "Put that away, Josie"

"I'll pay for my share," I tell him

"I've got this My treat"

"Why?" I ask soirlfriends, we'd pay for our own meals

"Because I'm super rich and I want to," he says smoothly

"Fine," I grumble as I shove "

"Suit yourself," he says with a shrug of his shoulders, coht have that this was a date Which is fine by me I've had a blast today with my new buddy, Reed Olson

"So, what's next on the agenda?" I ask Reed after he schedules an Uber on his phone app, pays the bill, and we slide out of the long booth

"We get you home," Reed says as his hand sweeps out for me to precede hisaw puzzle or so"

I start walking past a row of booths and into the pub area, which we have to traverse to get to the exit door "What are you going to do?"

"Got plans tonight," he says with such finality that I feel like he's telling me it's none of s like that

"Which Barbie is it this tih patrons standing around in the bar area

Reed chuckles and tugs onout with soht No Barbies"

I smile to myself and start to look back at him to make some type of smart-ass comment that falters when someone runs into o to my hips to hold me steady Still, my entire backside is pressed to his front side for a brief and flush-inducing moment

"Hey, assholehow about apologizing?" Reed growls at so there looking at Reed blankly

He's looking blankly because he's not couess that's because he's drunk

I turn around to face Reed, tiltingfiercely over uy hat looks like a need to do bodily harm

"It's okay, Reed," I say as I place a hand on his chest "I'm fine"

For a brief lare at the , as I'm afraid to look away from Reed

Finally, his face tilts and he brings his eyes toa curt nod I sigh with relief as Reed grabsto hi next time, dude"

Toeither he was thoroughly put in his place or e tolot unscathed

"You sure you're okay?" Reed asks as alk toward a so of htly aard

"I'm totally fine," I reassure him, and wait for him to drop his hold on me

He doesn't, though, until we reach the back door and he opens it for me I slide in and he steps in after me After he closes the door, I look to hiry Reed rattles off his address to the driver and we pull away from the restaurant

"What's the sour look for, Olson?" I say teasingly, hoping to draw him out of his funk

That's all it takes His face relaxes bit and he turns his head to smile at me "I just hate drunk assholes that don't watch what they're doing Besides, he was openly leering at you as you alking toward him Pretty sure he knocked into you on purpose"