Page 6 of The Enemy Plot

Kill me now.

“Excuse me,” I say to the waiter as he passes by. “Can I have some garlic butter on my steak, please?”

The waiter flashes a big smile. “Absolutely.”

Greg frowns. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to eat garlic?”

“Why not? I love garlic.”Plus, you’re the one who ordered a steak for me,I’m dying to add. If I can’t choose my own meal, I might as well have it prepared how I like it.

He clears his throat before a roguish smile spreads on his lips.

My eyes widen. Does he seriously expect to have his tongue down my throat already? Ew. We’ve barely even talked yet.

Unfortunately, that quickly changes, and the evening goes from bad to worse. Who knew a kindergarten teacher could be this self-centered and salacious? It’s always the people you least expect.

I purposefully ask for an extra creamy garlic sauce for my fries, making sure to finish the entire sauce cup. It’s more like eating garlic sauce with a side of fries at this point, but it also tastes a little bit like payback. Hopefully, that’ll keep Greg’s mouth at a safe distance from mine.

Finally, we call it a night, and Greg must have gotten the hint, because he just waves goodbye before we go our separate ways.

What a waste of a night! Another one. This was my second date this week, and I have another one tomorrow. Though right now, I’m starting to reconsider.

Why can’t I find a hot, single billionaire who’s desperate to sweep me off my feet? Is that too much to ask? Actually, he doesn’t have to be a billionaire. I don’t even care about money. I think the real problem is that I wasn’t born in the right century. I was made for a time when courtship was elegant. When you met men at classy balls, and etiquette was respected. Not a trip on the subway to meet a guy who barely looks you in the eye and has no interest in you as a person. How is that evolution?

When I arrive on our street, a pang of disappointment hits me. Deacon’s bar is already closed. There might be something seriously wrong with me, but for a second, I hoped he’d be there. Sure, he’d probably throw me some irritating remark, but at least my heart would quicken, and I’d feelsomethingother than disappointment and frustration.

With a long sigh, I unlock our front door and drag myself upstairs.

Emma and Hayley are both on the couch in their PJs watching TV. Taking a quick look at my defeated face, they make space for me between them.

I slump onto the couch, not even bothering to remove my shoes. I lay my head on Hayley’s shoulder, and she strokes my hair.

“You should take a break from dating, you know?”

“But what if I miss out?”

She takes a deep breath. “Sometimes, you find things when you least expect them.”

“Isn’t that from Harry Potter?” Emma cuts in.

“Luna Lovegood?” I add, glancing at Hayley.

A grin stretches across her face. “I’m very proud of you two non-fantasy readers, but it’s actually not Luna’s quote. She says,‘Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end. If not always in the way we expect.’”

“Right.” Emma nods. “It’s kind of the same sentiment, though. You have to be patient, not necessarily go out looking for it.”

I sit up. “But I’m a proactive girl. I can’t just sit here doing nothing when I know he’s out there.”

Emma snorts, which makes my jaw clench.

“If you don’t believe in love, why do you read so many romance novels, Emz?”

She sits on her foot, showcasing her “Go Away, I’m Reading” socks as she shifts her position. “Because it'sfiction. Romance is entertaining, but I know it’s not real. Like Santa or unicorns, it’s something society teaches usas kids to be real when it doesn’t really exist. That doesn’t make those things any less fun. Besides,” she says, ruffling her dark fringe. “I’ve got the best BFFs in the world, not to mention the most awesome job on the planet. Why would I even need a man?”

A smile breaks onto my face. Emma’s comment might come with a side of sarcasm, but it touches me nonetheless. She never says stuff like that.

“Aw, you’re the sweetest,” Hayley says, and I nod.

Emma scowls. “No, I’m not. I was just saying—”

---