At the condo, Greg was watching Eve nervously getting ready for her date. He was annoyed and not holding back with his disapproval of this mysterious stranger.
"Are you kidding me? You told a total stranger where you live and invited him to pick you up here? Are you crazy? That's dating hazard number one, Eve." Greg was not happy. Her safety came first in his book. He wasn't just her best friend, he was her number one protector.
"He seemed nice, and the guy saved my life." She started digging through her closet, looking for the perfect dress.
"That's the same thing people said about Jeffrey Dahmer. We know how well that worked out," Greg mocked, "Well, officer, he seemed like a nice guy. We didn't know he was killing people in his basement and eating them for dinner."
Eve stopped in her tracks, putting her hands on her hips, glaring at him in annoyance. "I hardly doubt he is a serial killer. Listen, if it makes you feel any better, you can stay here and meet him. I'll even text you later on where we are going for dinner. You don't have to worry. I'll be fine."
"So, what's this level ten emergency date's name? Do you at least know that much?"
Eve held up a dress in the mirror against herself. "Adam Weston. Greg, this guy is gorgeous. He doesn't look like he should work at the parks department. He looks like a male model. Tall, handsome, really fit, super freaking hot. Totally a ten." She snarled her nose at the dress, throwing it in the trash. "I hate that dress."
Greg sat back on her bed, watching her pick another dress. "Wait? Weston? I know that name. IT sounds really familiar."
"Probably. Sometimes I think you know everyone in the whole city area, Mr. Popular." Eve pulled out a floral mint green dress. "How about this?"
Greg made a gagging face and pulled the dress from her hand. "What are you, an old lady? I hate that dress. It looks awful on you. It looks like you're going to church on Easter Sunday. You just need a bible and a big floppy hat. Where is that sexy black dress I got you in Los Angeles?"
"It's because the green one is an Easter dress. I got it for church, you dufus. If you remember, you went with me. You got sick eating too many chocolate eggs from the Easter basket I gave you on the way back home. I like that dress. It's pretty. Okay… let's see… black dress. The barely there halter dress with no back? That one? Don't you think it's a little too much for a first date?" She looked for the dress, flipping through her closet.
"If this guy is Mr. GQ Magazine, like you say, you need to show a little more skin. Show off the goods, sister! Just keep that dress on tonight. No letting him round the bases on the first date. I'd hate to kick Ranger Rick's ass, in front of all his forest creature friends."
Eve rolled her eyes, saying, "Greg, chill. It's just dinner. I'm not going to sleep with him. You know I'm not like that. I haven't had a date in forever. I'm not going to jump feet first into bed with him."
Greg got up, pulling out the dress from Eve's closet. "Remember, if you need a way out, text me our date exit code. Okay?" He kissed her cheek. "Love you, Evil. I just worry."
"Love you too, butt face. Now go wait downstairs in case he gets here early," she said, shoving him to the door, knowing Greg was overprotective. Greg always made her feel special and was the only man she ever really trusted, besides her father.
***
Greg was waiting in the living room downstairs, watching a reality show on TV. He was patiently waiting for Eve to get dressed for her date when a knock came at the door. Taking a swig of his beer, Greg looked up and saw the man standing by the large windowed front door.
Eve rushed down the stairs, yelling, "I got it!"
Greg was already at the door glaring at Adam. "You the guy taking out my Eve?" He crossed his arms and puffed up, acting like a protective father meeting a daughter's sketchy high school boyfriend for the first time.
Adam, in a fancy dark-grey Givenchy suit, glared back. "I am. And you are?" He tilted his head slightly while looking down his nose in an obvious male ego standoff. You could almost smell the testosterone looming in the air between them.
"Best friend. Bodyguard." Greg scowled, tilting his head to look down his nose at the man threateningly.
Looking past Adam, Greg noticed the black Lamborghini parked out front. It was instantly a red flag to him that something fishy was going on. His eyes narrowed in instant defense mode. The man was hiding something. A parks department employee can't afford a car like that.
Eve rushed over, welcoming him in. "Adam, welcome. Ignore him. He's just playing protective big brother. Come on in. This is my best friend, Greg."
Adam walked past, not impressed with the athlete's demeanor. "You look lovely, Eve. These are for you." He handed her roses and kissed her cheek, all the while still watching Greg.
Greg stepped up between them, moving Eve away from the man. "Pretty nice ride for a parks department employee." Greg stared him down, ready to break the man in two.
Adam dropped his head with a light chuckle. "You're very perceptive. I don't work there. I was volunteering." He straightened his tie and squared his shoulders.
Eve looked outside, seeing the fancy car. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth gaped open when she chirped, "That's your car?"
"Yes. You just assumed that I was working for the park. I do a lot of outdoor activities. I was volunteering for the day to enjoy the nice weather we have been having. Someone from the park was out sick, so I stepped in to help them out." Adam seemed annoyed he was getting grilled about the fact he was driving the fancy sports car.
Greg backed up, relaxing his shoulders, "Wait. Weston? As in Weston Media? The new sports agency in Louisville?"
"Yes. One of my three agencies. I have one in LA and am working with my father to open one in New York. Louisville is a good Midwest central hub location."
Greg smiled, saying, "Wow! Eve, nice work." He reached out his hand, "I'm —"
Adam shook his hand. "Greg Stapleton. I know who you are. I hear you just got traded up to the pros. Congratulations."
"Thanks. So, who are you representing? Anyone big?" Greg shoved his hands in his pockets, relaxing.
Eve stepped in. "Okay, enough. Before we talk shop, can we go? I don't want to waste this dress on sports talk. I see this evening turning into a night watching the game on TV and male bonding fiesta. I need a night out to feel like a girl for once. Not another tomboy night, hanging out with sports addicts. Greg, out! I'll text you later." She shoved him out the door.
"Okay. Okay. Fine. Have a good night, Evil. Are we on for wings and beer tomorrow? The Red Socks are playing tomorrow at noon."
"Yep, and stop calling me Evil. We're not going to that bar you like. I hate watching the waitress flaunting their boobs at you, while I'm trying to eat and watch the game." Eve pushed him out.
"Okay. The regular sports pub down the street then. Noon. Don't forget. Good meeting you Adam. Take care of my girl," he hugged Eve.
Adam smiled at her saying, "I will."
Eve shut the door, looking back at Adam, laughing, "I'm so sorry. He's really protective of me. We have been friends since high school. We've been through a lot together and he's like a big brother."
"No. Don't apologize. It's nice you have someone looking out for you. Shall we go? We have reservations at Volare."
"Wow! That place is pretty swanky. Are you trying to impress me, Mr Weston?" She smiled sweetly.
"Maybe. Is it working?" He walked over, slipping his hand on her back.
"For the record. It's nice to get to go there. I've been wanting to try it out since I first found out about it. It's so fancy. But a burger and fries, with good conversation, is just as great. With the right person, anything can be nice." She touched his arm, blushing. "I'm flattered, though. No one has ever taken me somewhere that nice on a date."
"Not even Greg?"
"Not really. We have never dated. I make him reserve the special stuff for his real dates. Once a year, we go somewhere fancy out of town. It's been our tradition since his senior year in high school. His date ditched him before his senior prom for the star football player on the rival team. My cousin told him to take me instead because I didn't have many friends. I was a geeky sophomore with glasses and braces. Greg didn't care what I looked like. We ended up eating chili dogs and playing mini golf in our prom outfits, instead of actually going to prom. We've been best friends ever since."
"That's really nice. We should really get going." He led her to the door, quickly shutting down the conversation as if he was not interested in talking about Greg.