Page 2 of Dashing for Love

“Right? She’s amazing. Just the other day, we were on one of our three daily walks around the property—that’s what I call my backyard, ha, the ‘property,’ and…”

I zone out. After what feels like the entirety of the Paleozoic era, I pull out my phone and pretend I’ve gotten a call. “I’m so sorry,” I frown and slip off the stool, grabbing my clutch and tucking it under my arm as I go. “I need to take this.”

If he notices that I book it out of the restaurant like I’ve got a horde of wasps after me, he doesn’t act on it.

Thirty minutes later, I’m back in my small town of Lucky and turning the Jeep’s ignition off. I freakinglovethis thing. It’s white with soft sides so that I can take advantage of the weather almost year-round, and of course it’s got a line of rubber duckies going across the dashboard. I don’t know who started that trend and I don’t care; it’s cute as all get out.

I let my hair down, sliding off the spare scrunchie I always keep in the Jeep and letting it fall to the console. Then I school my nerves and march up to Agatha’s front door. The woman may be my landlord, but her fledgling career as a matchmaker needs to come to a stop. Immediately, if not sooner.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Chad?” Agatha peers through the screen door.

“Hello to you, too, Agatha,” I smile. “Are you going to invite me in, or shall we have our heart-to-heart on the porch?”

Her face falls. “Was it that bad?”

I sigh. “His name wasChad. What do you think?”

She steps onto the porch and toddles to the rocking chair. “Did he tell you about his African Grey?”

I take the other rocking chair and force myself not to screech at her likeI’ma parrot. “You mean to tell me that you knew his name was Chadandyou knew he had a parrot? Did you also know that they take showers together? And that she sleeps in the bedroom with him?” I lean closer and hiss. “It’s no wonder he needs his mom to set him up on dates.”

Agatha waves a dismissive hand. “I’m setting you up, too, missy.”

I let out an aggrieved yelp. “Not because Iaskedyou to!”

She sniffs. “You’re not acting very grateful, Goldie. Your sister?—”

“Has nothing to do with this,” I interrupt, then take a deep breath. “Listen. I really appreciate your efforts on my behalf. Truly.”

She purses her lips and assesses me. “Well. Okay.”

“But I’d like you to stop. There’s been Eric, the other Eric, and Steve, and Joe, and now Chad, and I”—I clasp my hands before me— “really need you to stop.”

Letting out a deep sigh of her own, Agatha nods. “I suspected as much. I need to turn my talents elsewhere. They’re clearly wasted on you.”

It’s a testament to my self-control that I don’t jump up and let out an excitedwhoop. Truly. Instead, I bestow a gracious smile on the woman and slap my hands on my legs before standing. “Thank you, Agatha. I’m sure there’s a young woman or two at church who’d just love your help.”

Agatha’s eyes go bright with anticipation. “Oh! You’re right.” She stands. “I need to call the girls. You have a good night.”

She disappears through the door, dismissing me without another thought.

Well, that went easier than I thought it would.

I make my way around the house to the cottage I rent from Agatha, letting myself in and taking a shower, then pouring a much-needed glass of wine and cuddling up on the couch with a blanket and remote. Now that I’m home, I can relax.

Halfway through an episode ofFriends,I get a text.

Willa

Hey! You busy next Thursday? Matty’s 30th birthday bash at Los Amigos. You need to be there.

Count me in!

Cool. Love you little sis

Love you too big sis

I toss my phone down and hit play on the episode again. I’d always had a crush on Joey—who didn’t?—but my real crush growing up? Matty Brodigan. Always. I don’t recall ever not liking him.

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