Page 24 of More Than a Blind Date

She’s not wrong. The diner is crowded tonight, and the hum of noises would make it harder to hear each other if we were sitting on opposite sides of the table. So I slide in beside her.

Quietly, we look over the menu.

And when the waitress comes over, I nod to Rose for her to order first. I make mental notes as she orders. It seems important to know that she prefers her cheeseburger without onions and with mayo instead of mustard.

After I order, the waitress hurries away.

Then Rose bumps against my side. “Can I ask a personal question?”

“Sure.” Opening up to her is getting easier. But there are a few topics I haven’t brought up.

“You haven’t said anything about your parents. And it’s okay to tell me to mind my own business.”

I drop my hand onto the bench and find hers. And I could lie and tell myself that it’s because I’m about to deliver sad news and I want her to feel my support, but she’s my support. I rarely talk about my parents at all, let alone losing them. And feeling her cool hand against my rough palm somehow helps. “They were great. But they both died in a car accident years ago.”

She squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry. It must’ve been so hard losing them both at the same time.”

“It was the lowest point in my life, for sure. My fiancée had dumped me just weeks before that, and I went through a really rough time.”

“Dallas, I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine the pain.”

I drag my thumb across her soft skin. “Like I said, it was a long time ago.”

“Now I feel guilty for the way I treated my mom. Maybe I should just?—”

“Get rid of Floofy? No, you shouldn’t. Standing up for yourself isn’t being disrespectful. There’s a difference. You have nothing to feel guilty about.”

She leans her head on my shoulder. “Thanks. I might need to hear that reminder a few times. The people pleaser in me has major anxiety right now.”

“I’m eager for you to meet my friends. They’ll love you.”

Tucked in a corner booth at the little diner, which has its wall covered in art from various decades, I tell Rose all about the other ranch hands and the women who have stolen their hearts.

This weekend will be interesting.

My friends know me, but only as much as I’ve allowed them to. That’s the only reason I can get away with this outrageous plan. The massive hurts I suffered back-to-back changed me. Since that low point in my life, I’ve held people at arm’s length.

But now Rose knows more about me than most of the ranch hands. And I’ve worked with those guys for years.

CHAPTER 11

ROSE

Dad is already here when I walk into the shop. Concern is etched on his face. “You didn’t go home last night.”

“I stopped by my apartment after work for a bit. And the place I’ll be renting is available on the first. It’ll only take me a day or two to move my stuff. So I’ll be out of the apartment by the third.” I tuck my purse away, trying to look calm even though my insides are flip-flopping like a fish on land.

“Your mother said you’d decided to stay.” Dad seems genuinely surprised that I’m moving.

I shake my head. “She sent me lots of texts about why she thought I should stay, but if I can’t have my kitten in the apartment, I’m not staying. I’m twenty-five. It’ll be good for me to get out of your hair.”

“We like having you close, Rose. You aren’t in our hair. But I understand that you want to have a cat.” He unlocks the front door. “Are you still up for overseeing the new shop construction?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be renting not far from there, so it works out great.” I’m not ready to tell my parents where I’ll be living, and even if I was, I don’t know the address. I could drive to thehouse, but I didn’t take note of the house number or the name of the street.

Dad adds flowers to vases, arranging blooms and greenery. “I’m sad that you’re moving, but I’m glad you plan to continue working in the business.”

“I love flowers, Dad. I have no reason to leave. And if it helps y’all, I’d be open to running the new shop when it opens.”

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