Page 25 of More Than a Blind Date

“I’ll consider that. We will need someone.”

I’m hoping my dad will grow a bit of a spine and push back when my mom decides to use the position at the new shop as leverage for getting me to follow her path.

Our conversation is interrupted when a handful of customers enter, and we’re busy the rest of the day with a steady stream of people wanting arrangements.

Maybe I haven’t completely destroyed the relationship with my parents. Is it too much to hope that Mom will accept that I want something different from her dream for my life?

I callDaphne as I leave work, and as soon as she answers, I spew the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head all day. “I need a dress for this weekend. Two actually. Are you free for a bit? Will you meet me at my apartment to help me choose? Or maybe I should buy something new. I’m so nervous. What if his friends don’t like me?”

“Hi. It’s good to hear from you. Last I heard you were going to visit Dallas, and then I didn’t hear from you for more than a day. Is your mom still mad about the cat?”

“I haven’t talked to her that much. But I think she’s still irritated. Especially since I announced that I was moving. Did I tell you that part?”

“Yes, you said you could move in starting the first of the month.”

“And I’m staying at Dallas’s until the house is ready.”

Silence makes me wonder if the call dropped.

I glance at the phone. “Daphne?”

“Back the truck up. Moved in with Dallas? When did this go from fake to real? And shouldn’t you slow it down a tad, I mean you’ve known him less than a week.”

“We are not living together. He’s staying with a friend, who, by the way, is a cowboy, but he’s barely twenty-one. I didn’t think you’d be interested. He’s cute though.”

“That’s too young. I’m almost twenty-seven. I’d like someone a tad older than barely drinking age.” She gives a lighthearted huff. “So, let me get this straight. Dallas is staying with a friend so that you can sleep at his house? The man who barely knows you is changing his whole life for you. That seems…” She sighs. “Romantic.”

“It’s not like that. But he met my mom.”

“Ohhh. That explains it. He’s rescuing you. You’re his damsel in distress.”

“Living free in a garage apartment is far from distress.” I don’t want people to think I am in an abusive situation at home. It’s not that. It’s just complicated.

“She stole your cat, Rose. And I’m guessing when you couldn’t find your fuzzy baby, you were in distress. Now, back to the original question. Yes, I’m free. And what if you find a dress for one of the nights and buy a dress for the other? You said it was a wedding?”

“Rehearsal dinner tomorrow night and wedding on Saturday. Did I mention that I was nervous?”

“Yes, but why? It doesn’t matter if they like you. It’s temporary and fake.”

“But his friends don’t know that. And he doesn’t need his friends trying to talk him out of marrying me when he’s just doing me a huge favor. I’d feel bad.”

“I’m putting shoes on and heading that way now.”

“You know, I have a better idea. I’m going to drop you a pin. And we’ll meet there in an hour. I’ll swing by my apartment and grab all the possible dresses, and then we’ll meet at Dallas’s house. Then we don’t have to worry about Mom coming in and giving me her opinion for an hour.”

“Or two. I really don’t like when she does that. So meeting out there is good. Want me to pick up dinner? And are you sure Dallas won’t mind?”

“I’ll check. Dinner would be great. I’ll pay you back. And I hope he doesn’t mind because I want you to meet him.”

“Let me know what he says.” She ends the call.

I tap out a text, then change my mind and dial Dallas’s number.

It rings twice, and I hold my breath, wondering if I’m going to be sent to voicemail.

“Rose, hi. What’s up?” Dallas shushes someone, then addresses me again. “I’m stepping outside the mess hall so I can hear you. The guys can be noisy.”

“I need to decide what to wear to the wedding, and I wanted to see if you’d mind if my friend Daphne came over tonight.”

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