@turtlebay-starters (open) where: speed dating at lux
Around him, the venue buzzed with conversation and nervous laughter. People seemed eager. Hopeful. Some already looked as though they were collecting stories to tell later. Toni simply looked like a man who had wandered in by accident. With his sleeves rolled to his forearms and a smile that came easily despite himself, he settled into his assigned seat and took a sip of his bourbon. The amber liquid burned pleasantly on the way down. Not bad. A lot smoother than this evening was likely to be.
His gaze drifted toward the entrance as another participant arrived. For a moment, he considered making a strategic retreat. He had twins at home. A perfectly valid excuse. Nobody would blame him. Instead, he exhaled a quiet laugh and remained where he was. If he could handle twin infants, a five-year-old with endless questions, and a leaking roof all in the same week, he could survive a few awkward conversations. Probably.
When the chair opposite him finally scraped against the floor, Toni glanced up, offering the familiar smile that had welcomed countless guests through the doors of his B&B. "Well," he said, lifting his glass slightly. "I suppose we're both committed now."
