Page 21 of More Than a Good Friend

She glances over her shoulder. “I’m on a date, so it’s not really a good time.”

“When will it be a good time?” I catch her hand in mine. “You’re avoiding me, and I miss you.”

“I’ll text you.” Her hand still in mine, she pats my chest. “And I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I just wanted y’all to meet him. He’s been really nice. Best date so far.”

“That’s awesome.” Archer nudges me. “Isn’t it?”

Unsure why he feels the need to jab me in the ribs, I ignore him and keep my focus on Goldie. “Better than Sunday with the guy who made you laugh?”

Blinking, she backs up, and her hand slides out of mine. “He ghosted me. So, yeah.” Hooking a thumb over her shoulder, she continues inching backward. “I should go.”

“Text me when you get home.” I’m not asking. But I breathe a sigh of relief when she nods.

Coming tonight was a mistake.

CHAPTER9

GOLDIE

After digging through my jewelry box, I dump its contents on the bed. Where are my favorite earrings? I put everything back a piece at a time, but the earrings aren’t here.

The last time I remember having them was on Saturday during that disaster of a date. Hopefully, I didn’t lose them at the outdoor mall. I think back through that evening and remember that I was driving Dag’s truck. So I text him.

Me:Did you find my earrings in your truck?

The Hot One:I found one of them. It poked me in the behind.

Me:I wonder if the other one is under the seat or something. Mind if I look? Where’s your truck?

The Hot One:With me. Once I unload this hay, I’ll get cleaned up, and after dinner, we can get dessert somewhere and look through the truck. Sound good?

I stare at the phone, trying to decide. He knows I’ve been avoiding him. He just doesn’t know why. And Friday, when I thought introducing him to my date would help me feel like things were back to normal, he held my hand and got all protective.

My date was charming and good-looking, but it wasn’t enough to keep me from watching to see if Dag left with Regina. I’ve known her since high school, but she rarely speaks to me. She sure likes Dag though.

Am I jealous? Absolutely. With a capital J and painted green. I don’t have voluptuous curves or amazing hair, and that’s what it takes to snag Dag’s attention. At least that kind of attention.

I can’t put off talking to him forever, but I can put it off one more day.

Me:I have plans tonight.

The Hot One:Another date?

Me:What if we grab dessert tomorrow night? Or at least hang out. And I’ll look for my other earring.

It would probably help if his contact wasn’t labeledThe Hot One, but he is, so I leave it. And I do have plans tonight. Not a date, more like a commiserating session. It’s hard to find people around here who aren’t in love, and when you’re trying to shake a romantic dream, all the happy hurts a bit. I don’t wish ill on my friends. But spending the evening with someone who understands loneliness is what I need right now.

The Hot One:It’s a date.

I send a thumbs-up, knowing he doesn’t mean it in a romantic way.

Then I shoot off a text to Tandy.

Me:Leaving my cabin. Be there soon.

Tandy might be the most interesting person in the county. She’s close to twice my age, writes romance novels, and has no filter. I’m always laughing when we get together. And she cares about people. Even if she shows it in funny ways. When she heard about how I’d turned down Dag’s proposal, she called and asked me to lunch.

And now we get together once a week.

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