Page 9 of The Wrong Date Deal

“Yeah, okay. But maybe it could be someone who works the same shifts as you. That’d be cute.”

“You’ve been watching too many romantic movies. Good thing you’re getting back out there.” He shot her a dark look. “Mom will be ecstatic.”

She frowned. “I’m not telling her anything. Not until there’s anything worth telling, at least.”

“Maybe they’ll run into you while you’re out on your date.”

“Somehow, I don’t think Mom and Dad are going to be swinging by that new café on Maple any time soon.”

“That’s where your date is?”

“Yes. And no, you can’t come by while it’s happening.”

“It’s a free country. How’re you gonna stop me?”

“With hollow threats.”

He chuckled. “You’re just lucky I have studying to do tomorrow.”

“Truly, I have been blessed by the homework gods.”

“Wish they’d bless me.”

“Maybe I’ll bring you something back. That’s blessing enough.”

“Yeah, you’d better.”

August laughed and checked her phone, keeping track of their order. They both knew she’d bring Ford something home tomorrow, but she was glad to see he’d relaxed enough to be snarky about it, rather than worriedly telling her she didn’t need to go out of her way for him. She was glad the poor guy had brought himself to her apartment. He was in desperate need of some good sleep and a little looking after.

Maybe some people could go to their parents for that kind of thing—college students especially—but that wasn’t an option for Ford. Their parents cared but in a… controlling kind of way, and they’d made their stance on Ford’s choices perfectly clear. It was better he was here. August could look after him without overwhelming him, and he could… hype her up for a date she feared was going to be a disaster. Just standard sibling stuff.

Chapter Three

Piper checked her phone as she approached Bellham’s Café. Perfectly on time. No messages from her date. Everything was good.

The place was gorgeous. Even in the freezing weather, a cozy glow emitted from inside, and lit up the box planters out front. Inside was even better. The undulating wooden ceiling, made from warm-toned slats, was one of the coolest ceilings Piper had ever seen.

She paused, moving out of the doorway, and glanced around. When you were meeting someone for dinner or a movie, it was pretty clear what the etiquette was—you waited at the bar or outside the theater for them to show up. When you were getting coffee, the rules were off. There were no rules about waiting for your whole party to arrive before being seated. There was no clear answer on whether it was expected that you’d geta drink and wait for them, or wait for them and then get drinks together.

That was also the moment Piper realized she should have asked more identifying questions. ‘A woman with brown hair’ narrowed down nothing. Even after a couple of dates, she was so used to dating apps where you could see the person’s photos that she kept forgetting what it would be like to try meeting someone with no clue how to identify them.

Rather than simply loitering by the door, Piper joined the line at the counter. There were far too many brunette women in the place for her to have any guesses on which one she was supposed to be meeting—and, of course, it could be none of them.

She pulled out her phone and opened the app.Hey! Just got here and realized we didn’t figure out a way to identify each other! Just waiting to order. If you’re here, I’m in a tan coat and red beret. Let me know if I can get you anything!

Piper had been on more than enough dates to not be nervous before them anymore. After a parade of terrible dates, she found there was no use in getting nervous and more use in assuming the worst and hoping for the best.

She sent the message and almost immediately heard a ping.

“Well, that was convenient,” she said to the woman in front of her in line, from whose pocket the app’s familiar ping had sounded.

The woman turned around with a questioning expression. Her brown, wavy hair was cut asymmetrically and brushed back in a way that looked as though she’d casually run a hand through it but that could actually have taken half an hour of styling.

“I guess you don’t need my description of what I’m wearing now,” Piper said with a smile.

The woman narrowed her eyes. “It’s you?”

“Well, I just sent a message and you just dinged, so…”

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