Page 46 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“Great! That’s the exact answer I was waiting for.”

Wait, what?

“Come out next weekend with us. There’s a dance being held at the old barn. The fire department is raising funds to update their equipment. It’ll be fun.”

“Thanks, guys. But I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“You won’t be. Molly’s going, and so is most of our class.”

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be any fun.”

“I’m pretty sure that we can wipe that frown off your sad face for a couple of hours. Come on, we’re leaving for college in a month and a half. There won’t be another opportunity to party together for a while.” Daisy pouted.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, wondering what Nick would have done. If we were together, I was sure that we would have gone, but on my own?

“I don’t know.”

“If you’re not having a good time in the first hour, I’ll personally drive you home,” Carter offered.

“I’m taking that offer very seriously.”

“Does that mean a yes?” Daisy asked, warily looking at me, waiting to pounce with a hug.

I nodded.

“Yay!” She shot off her chair and threw her arms around me, squeezing hard. “It wouldn’t be the same without you. I promise we’re going to have the best time ever.”

For the first time since Nick left, I felt a tiny lift in my mood. Maybe they were right. A night out dancing was definitely one way to relax.

“This will be good for you, Jo,” Marge whispered from behind me.

“Thanks.”

I packed up the batch of cookies Daisy and Carter had ordered earlier and took another order from Carter while Daisy was busy checking out some of the cakes I’d just decorated.

“This is for the firefighter’s fundraiser, but Daisy can’t know about it. When will you bake it?”

“Carter, it’s an order for one cupcake. I’m pretty sure I can handle it.”

He looked back toward Daisy who was busy checking out one of the cakes, and then lowered his voice even more. “Can I trust you?”

“Of course you can.”

“Then you need to come with me to the city tomorrow.”

“Why?”

He covered his lips with his finger. “I’ll let you know tomorrow, but you can’t say anything to anyone.”

My mind grew more curious and I got exciting tingles all over, wondering about Carter’s secrecy.

“I promise I won’t. I’ll be ready at nine?”

“Perfect.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Daisy asked.

“Carter says your favorite flavor is chocolate. I told him vanilla, but he’s not listening.”

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