Page 6 of Finding Her Leading Man

“I can handle the disappointment.” Touching her this soon would probably have her on the next flight to New York. He shoved his hands in his pockets and moved to the side, letting her pass by. Now, he had to convince Addie to do him a favor.

He jogged up the stairs, pressing Addie’s name on his phone. He entered his room as she answered.

“Addie, I have a massive favor to ask you.” He put her on speakerphone and tossed it on the bed. “I just met Samantha Nilsson.”

“The new chick at the diner? Did you know she’s on Broadway? Becky has tried to get a straight story out of her for weeks since she hired her. She seems timid, which doesn’t make sense. I’d think a woman that can get on stage and sing in front of an entire auditorium would have a little more confidence.”

“I got the story, at least the public story, and I asked her out. She shot me down.” He smiled at how uncomfortable she’d seemed when she reluctantly agreed to meet up with Addie. “But she agreed to go out with you.”

Addie made a small noise. “Really? I’m flattered, of course, but I’m pretty set on marrying Cameron at this point.”

Trevor sighed. “Not like that, four-eyes. She wouldn’t go out with me, so I told her to go out with you. You can tell her what an amazing person I am.”

“Oh? Like how sweet you are?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“And how you always stick up for me with our parents?”

“I guess.” He tugged on his socks and then reached for his sneakers. “Whatever you think she needs from you to help her feel comfortable enough to go on a date with me.”

“Honest, too?”

“Whatever, Addie. I trust you.”

She grunted. “You’re so honest that you told mom that you were seeing someone, and you’d have a date for my wedding?”

Trevor paused on his way to the door. “I did that because she was threatening to cancel your bridesmaid dress order because she didn’t like the pale pink color you picked out. Amazing how the conversation shifted from you to me in a heartbeat.”

“I appreciate your help, but you know you’re locked in for a date now. And, here’s the kicker, she asked me for details about who she is. Since it caught me off guard, I improvised.”

“That’s fine. I plan on breaking up with my imaginary girlfriend before the wedding.”

“She’s invited her to my bridal shower.”

He walked out of the bed and breakfast, shaking his head. “Well, she’s not available to come to that.”

“I’m worried your little white lie might blow up into something bigger. It might ruin the wedding that you’ve so desperately been trying to keep together.” For some reason, Addie sounded amused by the whole thing.

Trevor stood on the sidewalk, watching the diner across the street, wishing for one more chance to see Samantha again. “I’ll handle mom. I always do. Just talk to Samantha for me.”

“What about her? Could she be your date to the wedding?”

“I’d like a date with her sooner than a month from now.”

Addie sighed. “Okay. I’ll tell Samantha all your awesome qualities and make sure she can’t turn you down.”

“Thanks.” He hung up and took off at a jog down the road toward the high school where Grayson was working out. One thing at a time. First, he wanted time alone with Samantha. Then, he’d figure out how to backtrack with his mother.

3

Samantha wiped down a table near the front of the diner. Her location gave her a perfect view of the bed and breakfast across the street, and it officially made her pathetic. If Jasper cheating on her behind her back didn’t confirm it, standing there, rearranging the napkin dispenser for the last five minutes did.

Trevor appeared, having changed into exercise clothes. She’d been embarrassed when he’d caught her still recovering from a crying session. The tears came less often now, but some things triggered them. Like today when she ran into Grayson. It left her wondering if he judged her.

But right after the tear came the anger.

And then another damn headache.

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