Page 48 of More Than a Blind Date

Rose:I would love that. All of it. My feet are so sore. They feel like they’re about to fall off.

Me:Message when you’re on the way.

Wearing my sweats and a T-shirt I should’ve tossed long ago, I sprawl on her couch and go over my task list. Tandy wants to open by Valentine’s Day, and making that happen is my goal. I’mrarely at Stargazer Springs these days now that Carson has taken over. So that helps.

My tuxedo for the holiday gala tomorrow night is hanging in my closet, and while I’m looking forward to seeing Rose all dressed up and spending the evening with her, I am not looking forward to the tension headache that accompanies being in Mrs. Potts’s company. Or the stress that shows on Rose’s face.

More than anything, I wish I could snap my fingers and make Mrs. Potts a nice person, a mom Rose deserves.

These past months have made me miss my mom and dad. Mom would love that I’m spending more time with Tandy. And she’d be shocked to see Tandy and Matthew reunited.

But maybe that’s the relationship that keeps me hoping something will change, and that she can get her happy ending.

The line between fake and real feelings is blurry, but I’m choosing to ignore that for now. Sage’s wedding is the first weekend in February. And until then, we’re pretending. And maybe I’m just really good at it. Or maybe Colt’s advice sucks. I’m beginning to think the latter is true. But trying to sort that out now will only make things weird.

All I can say for certain is that I like spending time with Rose. I like who I am these last few months. In a nutshell, I like Rose.

When my phone beeps, I bolt awake.

Rose:Sorry I’m so late. Don’t worry about my food. I can warm it. Be home in a half hour.

Me:Be safe.

Rubbing my face, I roll off the couch and trudge into the kitchen. She will not be warming her own food at one in the morning. That’s why I’m here.

A half hour later, the jiggle of keys catches my attention, and I wipe my hands before walking to meet her.

Rose drops her bag beside the door, and I open my arms. There is no audience. And right now, I don’t need to play the role. But this is one of those blurry spots.

Exhausted, she falls against my chest. “I’ve missed you.”

“Same.” I scoop her up.

Startled, she laughs and holds on. “Do I look that tired?”

“You look hungry. And I have hot food waiting for you.” I set her in a chair, grab two cold Topo Chicos out of the fridge, and pop off the tops. “I used foil to keep everything hot.” I set the drinks beside the plates and watch as she pulls back the edge to see what I made.

Her eyes widen. “You made steaks?”

“It’s one of the few things I can make without messing it up.” I rub her shoulder. “Eat up. Then I’ll give you the foot massage I promised.”

“We’ll see.” She yanks away the foil and cuts into her steak. “This is so amazing.”

While we eat, she updates me on the last several days. Things with her dad are good. With her mom, things are more strained. But at least her mom is no longer ignoring her.

Rose empties her plate, then rests a hand on my arm. “My stinky feet have been trapped in these shoes all day. If your offer still holds, I need a quick shower first.”

“I’ll be waiting on the couch.” I dig out the foot cream I bought earlier today—or technically yesterday—and grab a towel.

A few minutes later, she comes down the hall wearing her cute fuzzy pajama pants and a tank top. “I feel bad that you’re awake in the middle of the night. But I’m really glad you’re here.”

I pull her right foot into my lap and cuff her pant leg. “What time do you have to be at the shop in the morning?”

She grins. “I don’t. The crew isn’t working on the new location this Saturday, and Dad is covering the delivery to theevent. We aren’t even opening the shop tomorrow. Every year, we close on the Saturday of the gala. What about you?”

“I only have a few things to take care of.” I planned around the event so that I wouldn’t be racing to get ready at the last minute. I’ll just use that extra time for sleep.

I squirt a little lotion into my palm and rub it on her feet. She sighs as I knead and massage. Then I switch to the other foot.

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