Page 41 of Dashing for Love

After a mere two mimosas and some delicious tacos that I have to repeatedly assure Willa are not, in fact, as good as hers, we wrap it up and get ready to leave. Willa holds me back while Reid goes to the front to pay.

“What is going on?” she asks. “You were distracted and barely talking the whole time. Usually, we can’t shut you up.”

“Maybe it was Reid’s nasty mention?—”

“Nope,” she cuts me off. “Nice try, though. What happened last night? Was he an asshole? Did he smell? Oh my God!” She grips my arm and yanks me to her, lowering her voice. “Did hetry something? Does that asshole not know what the word ‘no’ means? I will sic Reid on him so fast.”

I can’t help the giggle that comes out. “Easy there, killer. He wasn’t an asshole, he didn’t stink, and anything that happened was done with my enthusiastic consent.”

She whirls on me. “Iknewit! Did you kiss? Did you take your masks off? What does he look like?”

“Yes, yes, and I don’t know.”

She raises a brow. “Come again?”

I’d like to, very much, thank you.

I shake my head. I need to focus. I take a deep breath and meet her eyes. “Fine. I’m giving you this because I know I was an insane person when you and Reid were just getting together.”

“Glad you can finally admit that. Now spill. But hurry, because Reid’s waiting.”

I look and sure enough, he’s paid and is waiting on us. “Fine. He took our masks off in the dark, we kissed, I didn’t see his face, and it was the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

She squeals and grabs my arms. “Goldie!Seriously?”

“Calm down.” I widen my eyes and look around. “Please.”

“But this is soexciting! What if he’s the one? Oh my gosh, we could have double dates and hang out at each other’s houses, and the guys could do guy things and…” She sighs happily.

I might puke. And it has nothing to do with the mimosas.

Grabbing my phone, I look at the screen and pretend there’s a text from JJ. “Oh, look at that. I need to go, sis. Work calls!”

“On a Sunday?”

I pull her into a hug. “News never sleeps. Love you.”

Reid gets the same spiel on my way out, too.

“Let me drive you to the office, then,” he says. “I’ve got to start my shift soon anyway.”

“Nope!” I answer brightly and swivel away from him. “I’ll be just fine.”

“Wait.”

His commanding voice stops me in my tracks.

Reid continues, advancing on me in full police officer mode. “How many drinks did you have in there?”

I roll my eyes. “Two mimosas,Officer MacKinnon. And they were skimping on the champagne, I assure you.”

He’s unconvinced. “It’s field sobriety test time, Miss Dash. Follow my finger.”

“Willa, your boyfriend is being mean!” I call out, laughing as I dutifully follow Reid’s finger.

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” she responds.

“Walk nine heel-to-toe steps in a straight line,” Reid intones.

---