Page 4 of More Than a Blind Date

She shifts into the chair closer to me. “I thought maybe you could look through the app with me and help me weed out the dangerous ones. Since you think like a guy, and obviously I don’t, it would be helpful.”

My buddies, to their credit are not staring, but now that Rose is next to me, I’m getting glances.

“Sure. I’ll give it a look. But I still say that this is a horrible plan. What happens next Friday? Why are you desperate?”

She lays her phone face down on the table and crosses her arms. “Want the long version or the short?”

I want the short version. I always want the short version. What’s the point of having a long version if the short version issufficient? But I’ve dated enough to know that saying any of that is the wrong answer. “Whatever you want to tell me.”

“My parents have these friends who they’ve known since long before I was born. And that couple has two children, Richard and Cara. And they’ve always?—”

Tanya approaches with our drinks, and I tap Rose’s leg under the table.

Rose stops midsentence and blinks at me.

“Here are those drinks.” Tanya pulls out her ordering pad. “I should have asked earlier. Is this like together on one check or separate?”

“Together.” I’m quick to answer.

Tanya flashes a grin at Rose.

I’m probably making life more difficult for Rose by buying her dinner, and I feel rotten about that.

We order food, and when the coast is clear, Rose continues with her story.

“I have a brother, Sage. He’s a great guy. You’d love him. But anyway, I’m getting off track. We grew up with that family. They have two kids, a boy and a girl. So from the time I was born—I’m the youngest of the bunch—in my parents’ head, I’m destined to marry Richard. But I don’t like Richard. His sister is awesome, though. Super nice, pretty. And my brother fell in love with her back in high school. But then they broke up and went to separate colleges. My parents were so bummed and tried their hardest to get Sage and Cara back together. And it finally worked. Sage and Cara ended up stranded together and spent hours talking and boom, they’re in love again.” She drags her fingernail through the condensation gathered near the base of her glass. “I’m happy for them. I truly am. But it’s made my life more difficult. My parents have taken this as a sign that Richard and I are meant for each other.”

“What does Richard think of all this?”

Rose leans closer, accusation sparking in her gaze. “Are you saying his opinion should override mine?”

“Not at all. But if y’all are on the same page, maybe he could help you make your parents understand.”

“He won’t do that. He fuels their delusions. I guess because he thinks it’s funny.”

“Or maybe he’s secretly in love with you.” I regret the words as soon as they slip off my tongue.

Rose waves a finger. “Nope. Richard loves only one person. Richard.”

“That’s not good.”

“Anyway, Cara’s parents are ecstatic about the wedding and have planned events spanning the next six months. The first one is next Friday. It’s an engagement party.”

“I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry you’re in a tough spot.”

“You could say you’ll help me. I promise I’m not normally this crazy. You’re probably thinking I should just grow a backbone and tell them off, but I work for the family business. They own flower shops. And they’re about to open another location in a small town near here, and I desperately want to run that location. It would be my dream to be away from them and still get to do what I love. And if I stay in their good graces, I think they might let me run that place.” She reaches into her pocket. “I even have the ring. See.” As she pulls the ring out, it tumbles and lands under the table.

“I’ll get it.” Raised to be a gentleman, I get down on one knee and reach around the leg of the table to grab the ring. That’s when I spot Rose’s mismatched shoes. Once my head is clear of the table, I hold out the ring. “I like your shoes.”

Rose grins. “I had to do a quick fix?—”

A loud squeal interrupts whatever Rose is saying. Neither of us saw Tanya approaching.

Panic etches on Rose’s face, and in this moment, I’m the only one who can change that.

Six months isn’t that long. I can pretend. “I think this is the part where you say yes.” I nod toward the ring.

Rose’s lips quiver as she whispers, “Are you serious?”

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