Page 10 of The Love Trick

“Well … it’s just that, I don’t think I’m dressed nice enough for the luncheon I have to go to, and I was hoping that you could bring me some clothes. But it’s okay, I’ll figure something else—”

“No, it’s okay,” he interjects. “Just tell me where to meet you and what you want me to get from your closet.”

Relief bursts through my chest. “Have I ever told you that I love you?”

“Yeah, all the time.” He chuckles.

“Okay good,” I breathe out. “If you could just grab that old lady red dress and my black sandals, that would be great.”

“Alright. I have your location, so I’ll find you.”

“Thank you.”

“Yep.” With that, he hangs up, and I breathe out a sigh.

Everything is going to be okay.

I pick up Tiny—who’s always ready to go, thanks to his sweet, elderly dog dad—and head toward the park. The pace is miserable with Tinydraggingme forward and Bruno huffing along at a snail’s pace, but somehow, we make it there. As soon as I’m inside the chain link area for the dogs, I unhook their leashes and let them run.

“You look fine in what you have on,” a deep voice says from behind.

I turn with a smile to see Blaze in his gym shorts and white T-shirt. His dark hair is slightly disheveled, and his muscles glisten under the sun with a light layer of sweat. And while yes, he’s my best friend, sometimes I forget how attractive he is.

“What?” He makes a face at me, his hazel eyes sparkling. “Do I really lookthatunpresentable right now? Because, for the record, you’re covered in dog hair.”

“Oh, stop.” I laugh, swatting him as I open the gate for him to enter.

He shakes his head. “I can’t hang around. I’ve gotta get back to the gym. It just seemed like this red dress situation was an emergency. Here.” He holds out one of my bags. “I went ahead and put your makeup bag in there, too.”

“You’re seriously the best,” I say, taking the backpack from him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Probably have a lot of nervous breakdowns,” he jokes, flashing me a crooked grin. “Walk safe, though. I gotta go.”

I nod and then watch him leave, wondering why in the world I can’t find someone just like him to take home to my family. I mean, Blaze isn’t exactly the kind of man they’re hoping for—considering his rough upbringing and lack of old money—but he’s nice to me. I just want someone who’s nice to meandthinks I’m pretty.

Which apparently is asking too much.

I round up the dogs and head back to their houses, dropping off Tiny and Bruno.Thankfully, Miss Louise lets me use her restroom to change my clothes and freshen up. I put on the red dress and sandals, shake out my hair, and apply a light layer of makeup.

It’sperfect.

Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, I head toward Tea Parlor, mentally preparing myself for what’s to come. My great-grandma is worse than her daughter, who berated me for being single and forever alone. I’m bound to hear similar comments, but maybe if I look the part…

“Hey, watch out!” The words cut through my thoughts right as I bump into something hot …and wet.

I back away and glance down, seeing the coffee stain now covering the entire front of my pale red dress. “Oh no…No…”

“Yeah, youshouldbe saying sorry!”

I look up to see a dark-headed woman glaring at me with an empty, smashed coffee cup. “I’m so sorry,” I say, but I can hardly think as I stare at the massive spot on my dress. It runs from my chest all the way down to the hem. It looks like I have an oil leak.

“Your dress is def ruined.” She hums like it brings her some sort of satisfaction in her high heels and white pantsuit. “I’m not sure if you’ll be able to get that out.”

It won’t matter. I probably won’t live through the afternoon.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “I can give you money to replace your coffee.”

“No thanks,” she snips. “I thinkyou’regoing to need it more than me.” The woman with the hot coffee in the middle of summer saunters away, her heels clicking on the sidewalk.

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