Page 81 of Marrying Off My Husband

I slid my eyes sideways, my lips curling at the corners. “I’m glad you think so. She’s really attached to you.”

Eve raised a hand in the air, a bracelet dangling from her wrist. “Yes. She gave me the bracelet to prove it.”

My eyebrows raised as I leaned closer to study the charms. “A coffee cup and a heart.”

“It says besties,” she reported. “And the coffee cup is because we met at that bakery coffee shop. It was very thoughtful of her.”

“Well, I suppose we should get down to business. We need another date for Louise. And…I’m told another one for us. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she said with a dismissive wave. “Let’s hope our next selection for Louise is better than the first. Did she say anything about what happened between them?”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and toggled into my app. “Yes, apparently, he was only looking for…a hookup.”

For some ridiculous reason, heat rose in my cheeks as I mentioned it.

“Oh, gosh. That’s awful. Well, that’s what you get for picking a male model.” She shot me a teasing grin.

“That’s why you’re going to help me pick this one. Here are the matches I’ve found so far.” I passed my phone to Eve who studied the offerings.

I sidled closer, peering over her shoulder, curious to see who she’d pick. She eyed several of them before she clicked to read a few profiles.

My heart thudded harder against my ribs as I held my breath. Would this be indicative of who she may choose for herself?

I felt stupid being this upset over this, but I couldn’t help myself.

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally stopped on a picture and poked a finger at him. “Let’s try him.”

I wrinkled my nose. He wasn’t the most objectively attractive, though he wasn’t bad. “Him?”

“Yep,” she said with a nod as she handed my phone back.

“Why him?”

“He looks real. Genuine, and honest. He says he loves a good time while enjoying the small things and seeking adventure anywhere. That sounds like a good fit for Louise. She loves adventure.”

I bobbed my head. “She sort of does. She finds adventure in simple things, too.”

“Yep. They could find it together. And…he looks like a real person, not a male model.”

I chuckled as I tapped the screen to connect with Justin Hartwell and send a message on Louise’s behalf. “Okay, message sent.”

Eve waved her crossed fingers at me. “I’m hoping this goes better than the first.”

“Me too,” I said with a nod. “And, uh, our second order of business is setting up our next date.”

I raised my gaze tentatively toward her, wondering if she was sick of me yet.

“Right,” she answered. “Uh, what day works for you?”

“I’m okay any day,” I answered with a shrug as my phone chimed. “Looks like Justin Hartwell is available on Thursday, and asked if the White Horse is okay.”

Eve tugged her lips back. “It should be up to Louise’s standards, and it’s private so if the reporters are still hanging around, she can fly under the radar.”

“Good thought. I’ll reply with an affirmative.” I tapped on the screen, confirming the date. “All right, Lou’s all set.”

“Now, for us. There’s probably no way we can monitor their date at that location.”

I shook my head. “No. We’d be caught. Uh, so, do you want to shoot for Thursday, too?”

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