Page 92 of April

Linden pulled out her own phone and unlocked it while Asher checked Bryce’s message.

Bryce Wilburn: Is Linden there?

“She wants to know if you’re here,” Asher said.

“So does Melinda,” Linden shared as she stared at her phone. “I texted her, and she replied right away, asking if you were here, too. How did she know you’d be here?”

Asher shook her head.

Asher Hahn: She’s here. Why?

Bryce Wilburn: Because Melinda and I set you up with each other.

“What the fuck?” Linden said.

“What?” Asher asked more herself than Linden or even Bryce, who had sent her the message.

Then, she looked up at Linden, who was staring back at her with large, confused eyes.

“Melinda said…”

“That they set…”

“Us up with…”

“Each other,” Asher finished.

CHAPTER 24

Bryce Wilburn: Yes, I set you up with Asher. You are clearly into her, and her leaving is messing with you. Get mad at me, if you want, but I asked Mel to help because I think you need this. Tell her, Linden.

She stared down at the unsolicited text message from her meddling friend. Then, she locked her phone and looked up at Asher, who was staring at her.

“Bryce got Melinda to do it,” she said in explanation. “Our friends are assholes, I think.”

Asher didn’t laugh, though.

“Hey, at least we didn’t get stood up,” Linden added. “So, that’s good news. And I can make Bryce Venmo me for anything we eat tonight, so we should order half the menu.”

Asher still didn’t laugh. Linden wasn’t sure what to do. It wasn’t likeshe’dplanned this. Was Asher pissed off that she didn’t have a date, after all? Was she wondering why Bryce and Melinda had done this? Had she figured out that Linden had feelings for her? What was Linden supposed to do now?

“Or, we can just go,” she suggested. “I know you have Stephania waiting. I could use a night on my own, anyway.”

“Hi there. I’m Daphne. Can I get you started with something to drink, or are we ready to order?” the waitress spoke, but Linden was still staring wide-eyed at Asher.

“Ash?” she asked.

“Order,” Asher replied.

It was one word, but at least it meant that they weren’t just going to pretend like their friends hadn’t set them up on a date.

“Can I get a beer? Abita or whatever you have on tap.”

“Of course,” Daphne replied. “Are we ready to order, or do we need a little more time?”

Linden had checked the menu while she’d been waiting on her date at her very own table, so she knew what she wanted, but she wasn’t sure about Asher. Meeting Asher’s eyes, she received a small nod from her, and Asher gave the waitress her order. Linden ordered as well, and the woman walked off, leaving them to sit across from each other at this table, staring at one another again.

Linden swallowed. She could really use that beer right about now. She reached for the glass of sparkling water that looked like it hadn’t been touched, took a big gulp of it, set it back down, and refilled it from the bottle next to it.

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