Page 48 of The Light We Lost

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it!”

“Really?” Ignoring my protests, he tugged open the door to the community center. “Well, you can’t really fault a guy for dreaming.”

“You’re unbelievable.” My voice was breathless as Nolan set me on my feet, facing him. I jabbed a finger in his chest, so intent on wiping that grin off his pretty face I didn’t think to take in my surroundings. “You’re going to pay for this. When I’m done, you’ll wish I lived only in your dreams. I’m going to—”

“Are we interrupting something?”

I covered my mouth, realizing we weren’t alone. And based on Nolan’s smirk, he’d known it. He was dead. I glared at him, silently communicating how I planned to murder him when we didn’t have an audience, and turned to face the voice. “Um—” I choked, my face roasting as I took in the group of people behind us. Now I understood why Nolan had come here with Jake. This was aseniorcommunity center. “I’m so sorry. We were just leaving.”

I stumbled toward the doorway, but he latched onto my hand. “We’re here for the speed-dating activity.”

“The what?” I squeaked, but the woman holding a clipboard, presumably in charge, must’ve misread my grimace as glee.

“Oh, wonderful! We’d love to have more participants. Why don’t you two head over to the table and fill out a name tag? We’ll get started then.”

“Sure thing,” Nolan said, my hand in his as he dragged me to the table. Setting Genny’s carrier on a chair, he grabbed a name tag, then wrote my name out. “You want me to put it on your forehead?”

I scowled, and it was only because we were in a room full of people that I didn’t grab Genny and run for my life. “This is not a date,” I hissed, snatching the name tag and sticking it on my shirt. “This . . . this is hell.”

Nolan laughed, the sound abrupt and full, and despite my annoyance, I smiled. “With an attitude like that, you’re sure to find a new husband in no time, peaches.”

That sounded terrible.

I rolled my eyes, a piece of me dying inside. I fiddled with my hair, pulling loose strands down from my bun to frame my face. In my dingy T-shirt and leggings sprinkled with cat hair, there was no way I was finding a husband—or even a date—but I prided myself on always looking nice, and Nolan knew that. He’d probably planned this whole thing—

“Relax,” he whispered, his voice a soothing chord. “Remember, no more holding back, alright? We’re doing this for us. No one else.”

I wasn’t sure how this benefited us or what we were trying to accomplish, but instead of arguing, I trailed Nolan as he joined the rest of the group. Sandra—the woman in charge—separated us into two groups and then instructed one to form a circle facing outward, with the other group forming a circle around us, facing inward. I might’ve been relieved to be in a different group from Nolan were he not straight across from me, giving me a front-row view to his smug smile.

“That looks great,” Sandra told us. “Now, my outer circle, when I start the music, you’ll rotate clockwise and continue until the music stops. Whoever you land in front of, you’ll have the chance to get to know them for the next three minutes. Inner circle, you’ll remain where you are. Any questions?” When it was clear there were none, she added, “Great! And remember this is supposed to be fun. So relax and make somefriends!”

Someone run me over.

The music started, and my stomach dropped as Nolan waved goodbye, his circle rotating around mine. I wasn’t thrilled to be here, but at least it wasn’t an actual date. There were at least thirty of us, and besides Nolan and me, everyone was at least sixty-five.

Maybe I’d get lucky and find a sugar daddy.

The music stopped, and Sandra clapped her hands. “Great job. Now get talking!”

“She’s loud,” the elderly woman across from me said. “She makes me want to take out my hearing aids.”

“She’s enthusiastic.” I glanced at Sandra, giving her a wobbly smile as she gave me two thumbs up. “I’m Indy. What’s your—”

“I can read.” She shoved her thick-framed glasses up her nose. “But since you apparently can’t, I’m Miriam.”

I pressed my lips together.Oh, this will be fun.“Hi, Miriam.” I glanced at the paper in my hand, a list of prompts if we needed any. “Do you have any pets?”

“Is that your way of asking me if I’m one of those old cat ladies?”

“I—” I stumbled over my words, and I swore someone behind me laughed. “Of course not. I just thought we might have something in common. I have a cat. Her name is Genny. She’s right over there actually—”

“Can we switch partners?” Miriam called out. “Mine won’t stop gabbing about her damn cat.”

I gasped, not knowing if I wanted to laugh or crawl into a hole. Either the three minutes were up or Sandra took pity on me, but the music began again. Miriam muttered something under her breath, clutching her cane as she rotated with her circle.

Okay, no sugar daddy—or mama—for me.

“Really?” Nolan taunted as he passed by. “You told her about our cat?”

---