Lost and Found

Chapter 6

Bryce pulled into the parking lot of The Castaway at 6:45 on Tuesday. He walked in the back and saw Nick sitting at the bar talking to a man. Nick glanced over and saw him. He waved him over to join his conversation. Bryce walked over to the two of them.

"Bryce, what a pleasant surprise. I'd like to introduce you to Mike. Mike this is my business partner Bryce." Nick stood as he made the introductions. Bryce held out his hand and smiled as Mike shook it.

"Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise. I'll see you tonight Nick," Mike said as he let go of Bryce's hand and started to walk away.

Bryce turned back to Nick. "Who was that?"

"The man that runs the cleaning service Sydney recommended. She was right, too, he gave us a great rate for the club. Remind me to thank her next time I see her." Nick answered as he made a few notes in the book he had on the bar. "Which reminds me, isn't the big date tonight? What are you doing here?"

"She said since it was a lady's choice date, she'd pick me up here so I could help you close and still have my car." Bryce put his hands in his pockets.

"So, you have no idea where you're going?" Nick asked as he turned towards Bryce.

"Nope. She said dress casual and that she'd meet me here at 7."

Nick watched as Bryce looked down at the ground, his hands fidgeting in his pockets, and rocked in place. "Holy shit. You're nervous!" He let out a loud laugh that seemed to echo in the empty club.

Bryce took his hands out of his pockets and looked at his friend. "Thanks for the reminder." He leaned on the bar.

"Why are you nervous?"

"I don't know. Maybe because I almost screwed up once already." Bryce turned to his friend. "It's going to be our first date...like alone. I don't even know where we're going. What if I do something stupid? What if I say something stupid?"

"Then you'll know you're just being yourself." Bryce scowled at Nick, but he continued. "Look Bryce, I know how much you like this woman, and I can't say I blame you. But we all have to go through the first few dates with at least a bit of awkwardness. It's a fact. You're going to learn all kinds of things about one another and some of it you won't like." Nick turned and placed his hands on Bryce's shoulders. "Just be yourself jackass." Nick smiled as Bryce let out a laugh and with it a bit of the tension he was holding.

Bryce pushed his friend away. "Ok, I get it."

"What do get?" asked Bianca as she walked over to them.

"First date jitters." Nick replied.

"Another date at the club? Come on Bryce, you can do better than that."

"So funny." He nudged her as she got close to him. "No, since I'm coming back to close tonight, I'm leaving my car here and she's driving. Actually, I left all the details up to her tonight."

"Damn, you go Sydney." She said as she and Nick shared a laugh.

Bryce looked at his watch. "Well, as much as I love being the butt of your jokes, I have a date to get to. See you two later." They waved as he walked to the front doors.

Just as he stepped onto the sidewalk, a car pulled up to him with the window down. He smiled as he walked over to see Sydney sitting behind the wheel.

"Hey stranger, want a ride?"

"Hey beautiful." She smiled as he climbed into the car. "How are you?"

"I'm good. You ready for tonight?" She said playfully.