Page 4 of Dating the Bad Boy

Who is she?

Unknown

Plan a date, and you’ll find out.

And make it good, Asa. She deserves it.

“Why does everyone doubt me?” I mutter, scowling. I may be a pain in the ass, but I’m not a complete idiot. If this girl wants a date to remember, I’ll give her the best goddamn date of her life.

Ah, goddammit. This woman is good.

CHAPTER 2

LESLIE

I pushmy glasses up on my nose, adjusting the comfy, oversized frames for the hundredth time this hour as I stare at the computer screen with my heart racing like a caffeinated squirrel.

A perky notification from the matchmaker pops up, and I quickly glance around to make sure my coworker and bestfriend, Alice, isn’t peeking. She’s nose-deep in her own work, thank goodness.

It all started days ago when I received a surprise email from the town's legendary secret matchmaker. She informed me I’d won her Love at Christmas giveaway and asked me to fill out the attached form to get started on my hunt for Mr. Right.

The matchmaker claims to have a remarkable intuition for pairing people, and her reputation is downright perfect. So, somehow, I filled out and submitted the form before I could talk myself out of it.

But I don’t just want any match. No, I stupidly requested to be paired with the Midnight Falls bad boy, Asa. Just the mention of his name sends a shiver down my spine and a million butterflies swarming in my stomach. His muscular, tattooed arms could probably lift an entire car, and his smirk can charm the pants off of any woman under the age of ninety. Not that I’ve ever spoken to him. We exist in two entirely different worlds. He’s a well-known hell raiser, and I’m the classic “nerdy girl next door” working in my parents’ car dealership.

I stare at the most recent email from the matchmaker in shock. I read it ten times to make sure it really says Asa Steele agreed to a date—with me. It feels like I’ve won the lottery and have been hit by a bus all at once.

I open the email again, scanning the words as if they might magically change. “Dear Leslie, your match is excited for your upcoming date. Please confirm the date, time, and location.”

A rush of panic washes over me. What if he’s disappointed when he finds out his date is with the nerdy girl who’s too shy to talk to him on a normal day? Oh boy. I’m going to throw up.

“Why are you staring at the screen like it’s a snake about to strike?” Alice walks up behind me. Shoot. I was so caught up in the email that I forgot all about her.

I spin in my chair, a rush of adrenaline making me feel like a cartoon character. “I did something stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.” Regret blasts through my soul.

“Oh, come on,” she soothes. “It can’t be that bad.”

“I won the Silver Spoon Falls matchmaker’s Christmas contest.” It sounds so silly saying it out loud. “And requested Asa Steele as my match.”

Her eyes widen comically, and for a moment, I wonder if she might just hyperventilate. “Are you serious? Asa? The ginormous, grumpy, tattooed, bad boy? That Asa?”

“Yes, that one,” I grumble, rubbing my temples. “What have I done?”

“Girl, you’ve snagged a date with the hottest guy in town!” She claps her hands together, her enthusiasm palpable. “This is a huge deal! We need to plan your look. You’ve got to dazzle him. Now, tell me all about the date.”

I roll my eyes despite the swirl of anxious energy bubbling in my stomach. “He’s taking me to seeThe Nutcrackeron opening night at the Silver Spoon Theater on Friday night.”

“Ooh. Hot and a big spender.” She fans herself. “Perfect man.” My friend is so freaking overdramatic, but I love her. “You have to choose an outfit that screams, ‘I’m fun, I’m charming, and I’m absolutely worth your attention!’”

“I definitely don’t own anything like that,” I scoff, gesturing down to my trusty polo shirt and khaki pants.

“That means we get to shop.” She practically vibrates with excitement. I’m tempted to refuse, but I catch a glimpse of the determination shining in her eyes and realize there’s no use.

“Okay,” I give in, biting my lip nervously. “But it will have to be tomorrow night. Tonight is my book club.” The phone on her desk rings, interrupting us.

“And book club is more important than this date,” she mutters as she walks over to answer the call.

After a long dayat the office, I find myself in my car with Alice, heading to the Silver Spoon Falls Mall. We find the mall practically deserted, which makes me feel a little better. At least, there won’t be many witnesses to my outfit hunt.

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