Page 24 of Small Town CEO Grump

Ryan nodded. “Very tricky. So… Can you help me find a date?”

“Yes,” I said. “I will work on that as well as finding my own date. I actually have an idea or two, but I want to call and see if they are available before I say anything.”

“Okay,” Ryan said. “Thank you for being so understanding! I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, standing up and heading towards the door. “I am going to make some phone calls, and then I will call Addie this afternoon. I will let you know where things stand later today.”

“Perfect,” Ryan said, smiling.

I left his office and headed towards my own, trying to project an air of confidence despite feeling completely overwhelmed.

I glanced at my watch and knew that I couldn’t call Addie for another couple of hours, so that gave me some time to figure out what I was going to do about getting a date for myself, and one for Ryan.

I stopped for a minute and allowed myself to acknowledge that I didn’t like the idea of setting Ryan up with someone. I didn’t go any deeper into my thoughts, because I knew that there was nothing that could happen, and if I dwelt on those thoughts nothing good could come from it. Once I got that out of my system, I thought back on the idea that had crept into my head in his office, and although it was a little strange, I thought it might work.

I picked up the phone and texted Tyler’s baseball coach.

Hey Coach. I have an interesting opportunity for you and your fiancé. It involves a basically free weekend in New York City and a fancy affair, but there’s a bit of a twist. If you would like to know more, let’s set up a time to talk on the phone.

I put my phone aside, and opened a file that I needed to start working on. I figured the coach was at work, and so he would get back to me when he could. To my surprise, he texted back right away.

Sounds intriguing. When do you want to talk? I am free now if you are.

I picked up my phone and called him. I told him about the benefit, and that was a black tie affair. I also told him how Ryan needed a date, and I needed a date, but neither of us wanted to deal with any romantic overtones or expectations for the evening. I told him my brilliant idea that if he and his fiancé were willing to join us, he could be my date, and she could be Ryan’s date for the evening. I knew that Ryan had enough airline miles to be able to fly them both to New York for free, and Coach could stay with Ryan, and his fiancé could stay with me. The next morning Ryan would take us all out for a fantastic breakfast, to thank us for attending the event, and then he would fly back to Oceanview together.

I was delighted when Coach said that he thought it sounded like a lot of fun, and just needed to check with his fiancé. He said he would let me know as soon as he heard back from her.

After I hung up the phone with him, I allowed myself to sit and revel in my creativity for a moment. I knew that it was a fantastic idea. Ryan was friends with Coach, and I had gotten to know his fiancé a little bit and she was sweet. She was very pretty, and which would make for fantastic pictures of the event, but it also took away any romantic overtones.

Five minutes later my phone buzzed, and I read the answer from Coach.

Jenna, Shanna and I are good to go. It will be a lot of fun! Thanks for thinking of us. – Kevin.

I pumped my fist in triumph just as two senior agents glanced in my office and saw me. They both gave me strange looks, but I didn’t care. I went online and immediately started looking for the perfect dress to wear.

Chapter 9

Ryan

“See?” Jenna said. “It is a perfect plan.”

She was sitting in my office, excitedly telling me how she had convinced Kevin to go to the fundraiser as her date, and bring his fiancé as my date. Her energy reminded me of Tyler, but I didn’t say anything. Instead, I just smiled and nodded as she was talking.

I had to admit that it really was a great plan. I knew Shanna, and I had even seen the ring before Kevin proposed to her. He had come up to the city to buy it, and had stayed with me. I remember asking him why he wanted to get married, and I knew I would never forget his answer.

“Because she makes my life better,” he had said. “When things aren’t going well, she makes it better, and when things are going very well, she makes it even better. Why wouldn’t I want to spend the rest of my life with someone who makes everything better?”

His response had left me speechless. It also made me determined that I would not marry someone unless I could say the same thing about her, and she could say the same thing about me. I knew I would settle for nothing less.

Jenna was looking at me, clearly waiting for an answer.

“Yes,” I said. “It is a perfect plan. I never would’ve thought of it.”

“Oh, there is one thing,” she said, looking sheepish.

“Yes?” I asked suspiciously.

“I told him that you would take the three of us out for a fantastic breakfast on the day after the fundraiser, to thank us for attending,” she said, trying to hide a smirk.

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