Page 41 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

My heart fluttered as I penned the riddles, weaving in our inside jokes and favorite philosophical quotes. The first clue was ready, and I packaged it carefully in a small box and set it aside to drop off at the library tomorrow morning.

The time had come. I took a deep breath and drafted a text to Nate:

"Hey you, I know we need to talk. Sorry for the silence. I'll explain everything when you get to the final destination. If you are still interested. I have a surprise for you tomorrow at six pm. Meet Frances at the library, and let the quest begin! I can't wait to take you on this journey. Xoxo"

I hit send before I could overthink it, exhaling sharply. My pulse raced with nerves and excitement. I could only hope the man who had stolen my heart would take this leap with me. Tomorrow night, under the stars, I'd bare my soul.

Chapter eighteen

Nate

"Good evening, Dr. Reynolds!" Frances walked toward me in one of her signature quirky outfits – a polka-dot dress paired with bright yellow tights and purple sneakers. Her curly red hair bounced with each step, and her freckled face beamed excitedly. "You're right on time for your scavenger hunt!"

"Evening, Frances," I greeted back, maintaining my casual demeanor. A hint of my nerves probably seeped through my voice, but she didn't seem to notice as she beamed back at me.

"Well, let's get you started, shall we?" Frances held out a small package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a red ribbon. "The first clue to your hunt is in here."

"Thanks," I said, taking the package she handed me. "Susan mentioned you were helping with this."

"Of course! I couldn't let my favorite lovebirds down," she winked. As much as I appreciated her enthusiasm, I couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed by her constant meddling in our relationship. But it all came from a good place. I couldn't fault her for that.

"Alright, let's see what we have here." I carefully untied the ribbon and opened the package. Inside was a small scroll, neatly written in Susan's handwriting, attached to the antique telescope I had wanted to purchase. She must have told me not to purchase it so she could go back and get it for me.

"Like stargazers tracing constellations bright, your journey starts with a twist of delight. Follow Baxter’s nose to find where memories grow, where caffeine flows, and first impressions go."

"First impressions, huh?" I chuckled, remembering the awkwardness of our first date at Rosewood Cafe. We were two people pulled together by fate, trying to make sense of our unexpected attraction.

Baxter wagged his tail and sniffed at the paper in my hands. I scratched him behind the ears, and his tail thumped against my leg. "Ready for an adventure, boy?" He yipped in response, his soulful eyes bright with excitement.

The hunt was on, and the woman who had captured my heart so completely waited at the end.

I clipped Baxter's leash on, and we headed out the door, the evening sun warm on our faces. The walk to Rosewood Cafe was familiar, and soon, we arrived at the cozy little building tucked between a bookstore and a thrift shop.

The bell above the door jingled as we entered. I inhaled the rich aroma of coffee and baked goods that filled the cafe. Behind the counter, the barista, Lila, looked up from the espresso machine, and her eyes lit up with interest.

"Well, if it isn't Dr. Dreamy himself!" she exclaimed, setting down the cup into which she'd been frothing milk. Lila loved gossip and always had an ear out for the latest news about the residents of our small town.

I chuckled, leaning against the counter. "And a good day to you, too, Lila. I don't suppose you have something for me?"

"As a matter of fact..." She reached under the counter and pulled out a book. It was the same tattered paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice that Susan and I had read from at the picnic.

I flipped through it, smiling at the notes filling the margins in Susan's loopy handwriting. Her funny commentary on the characters was as witty and unexpected as I remembered.

Tucked between the pages was a folded note. I unfolded it eagerly, Baxter nosing at the paper. The clue hinted at the ice cream shop down the street where Susan and I spontaneously ran into each other one night.

I folded the note and slipped it into my pocket, giving Lila a wink. "Wish me luck!"

She grinned. "Go get her, Dr. Dreamy."

With a chuckle, I made my way out of the cafe. Baxter was leading me down the street, sniffing every nook and cranny along the way. I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. I had never been a fan of scavenger hunts, but I couldn't wait to discover where Susan's ingenious trail of clues would take us next.

I noticed some of the townspeople pointing in our direction as we walked. Frances had probably already told the whole town about the scavenger hunt. As we approached Scoops & Swirls's Ice Cream Shoppe, I saw the owner of the ice cream parlor, Katie, through the window scooping ice cream behind the counter.

The bell jingled cheerfully as I entered. Katie looked up, her face lighting up. "There he is! I've been waiting for you."

She grabbed a small cup and scooped out a serving of rocky road, Susan's favorite. A spoon with a folded note wrapped around the handle was nestled in the ice cream.

I took it with a grin. "You're the best, Katie."

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