Page 88 of Text Appeal

“This is a small town. We were bound to cross paths sooner or later.” I take a deep breath. “Wait a minute. Did you invite me out tonight because you knew he might be here?”

“Eh,” she says with her cell in her hands.

“That’s not much of a response. Who are you texting?”

“A strange thing happened on Monday.”

“Does it involve baked goods?” I ask.

Shanti frowns. “No. Why on earth would it involve baked goods?”

“No reason. Keep going.”

Her fingers keep typing on her cell. “Ava started a group chat with Nic and me. Now Nic generally gets on with her okay, but Ava knows I am not her biggest fan. So this sort of thing has happened approximately never.”

“What did she want?”

“She and her girlfriend had to head back to Europe for work. And since she was leaving town, she wanted our help with something.” She slips her cell into her back pocket. “She had a theory she wanted to test discreetly.”

A lean man with long red hair and tattoos approaches and asks, “Is this where the speed dating is happening?”

“It absolutely is,” says Shanti. “Noah, this is Riley. You have a minute to interest and-or impress her. Go.”

Before he can open his mouth, I ask, “Are you the Noah that left his bride at the altar, subjecting her to what was undoubtedly a boatload of embarrassment a few summers back?”

“Yes.” His pale skin blazes bright red. “But I can explain…”

I just wait.

“Actually, I can’t really, I panicked and ran. Gabriella still won’t talk to me, and I miss her so bad. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve apologized, but she won’t listen.”

“That sure is a sad story. Good night, Noah,” says Shanti. “He was just a warmup. Good work on dispatching him so quickly. We don’t usually do speed dating in town because it’s just the same dozen or so people who keep turning up. But Ava was most insistent that we make an exception for you.”

“Let me guess, she wanted Connor in the room while this was taking place?”

“She sure did.”

“Guess it was Nic’s job to lure him here tonight, huh?”

Shanti nods as another speed date approaches.

He is Asian American with a perfect fit. A gray polo shirt with a knee-length navy pleated skirt and black loafers. The man is stylish and gorgeous and then some. But he takes one lookat me, before turning and searching for Connor in the crowd. He then turns back to me and gives me a wink. “Yeah. I am not getting in the middle of that. Best of luck, Riley.”

“Thanks.”

Shanti just grins. “Have a good night, James.”

Plenty of people are watching. Apparently, both me and the Jenga are entertainment here tonight. But there’s a certain pair of eyes on me. It’s like I can feel him from across the room. I will not, however, meet his gaze. We decided to give each other some space. How I behave tonight will set the tone for us post fake relationship and hookup. I am not saying he’s nothing to me. That would be a heck of a lie. But I refuse to act like he’s my whole world. Like I am a heartbroken mess. The messy truth of the situation can stay undercover.

Thank fuck I put in some effort for this outing with my navy linen vest with matching pants and sandals. I am not falling apart after our six-day dalliance. Not in public, at least. You have to save that sort of shit for home.

“What’s going on? Why am I getting a notification from socials that we’re hosting speed dating here tonight?” asks Billy, placing a drink in front of me. The contents of the tall glass are orange and red and garnished with a slice of orange. “This is my version of Sex on the Beach, Riley. It’s what I am famous for, if you know what I mean.”

“You truly are a trash fire. This drink, along with whatever you’re insinuating, is not even remotely what you’re known for around town,” says Shanti. “As for the speed dating, don’t worry about it. I’ve got it under control.”

Billy frowns. “But—”

“Diane and Paul are waiting for service. Better be quick if you want to catch that big tip.”

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