Page 30 of More Than a Blind Date

I turn my head to whisper in Dallas’s ear. “You look super hot all dressed up. I mean, I think you’re good-looking all the time, but today… yum.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. Then he meets my gaze and smiles. “Thanks.” He focuses on the front as a man begins playing the guitar.

My attempt to relax him with a compliment backfired. His arm is still around me, but all his muscles are tight. Dallas is complicated. But I have six months to figure him out. Hopefully, that’s enough time.

Music echoes through the room, and the crowd hushes. Anderson steps to the front and stares at the double doors at the back of the room. His eager smile is contagious.

When the double doors open, his grin widens. Bailey skips down the aisle, tossing flower petals. As she reaches the front, Anderson squats down, and Bailey throws her arms around him.

Dallas has told me about Anderson, Primrose, and Bailey. And seeing the way he is with her is choking me up.

I swipe at a tear, kicking myself for crying before the bride even makes it down the aisle. But can anyone blame me? This whole scene is tugging on all my heartstrings.

Dallas pushes a tissue into my hand and whispers in my ear. “I brought a few in case I started getting emotional, but you beat me to it.”

After dabbing my eyes, I lean into him. And Dallas curls his hand around my shoulder.

The doors open again, and it’s a good thing I’m holding a tissue because Primrose looks stunning in her dress, and Anderson looks like a poster for love. They both do, honestly.One day, I want someone to look at me like they’re looking at each other.

“Happy tears, I hope.” Dallas’s breath tickles the sensitive skin below my ear.

I nod. “They’re so in love.”

“Yeah. They are.”

Thankfully, most of the ladies in this place are sniffling and shedding tears. So I don’t feel too bad about getting emotional.

I’m grippingDallas’s hand a bit too tight as we walk into the reception. I met a bunch of his friends last night, but there are more people here today. And somewhere in this crowd is his aunt, Dallas’s only living relative. And she knows the truth. Will she hate me for using Dallas? When I asked him to pretend, I had no idea he’d offer to cover a chunk of my rent. I’m not a mooch. My plan is to save as much as possible so that I can repay Dallas every cent. It might take me a while, but it’s the least I can do.

An older woman in a sunflower yellow dress waves from across the room, then hurries toward us.

Dallas kisses my cheek. “Aunt Tandy is headed this way. She doesn’t bite. I promise.”

I smile, hoping I don’t look as nervous as I feel. “That’s a funny thing for people to say. ‘They don’t bite.’ Nobody wants to be compared to a dog.”

Tandy opens her arms when she reaches us. “Rose, dear, I’ve heard so much about you.” She wraps me in a tight hug and whispers, “You are perfect.”

“Hi. It’s so nice to meet you. And I can’t thank you enough for letting me move into your house. It’s beautiful and I love your cats, Chip and Dale. They are so cute.”

She laughs. “You should see them when I put on their little bowties. I tried adding the cuffs, but they won’t keep them on. I couldn’t believe they had those dancer costumes for cats. Isn’t that awesome?”

“Told you.” Dallas squeezes my hand and chuckles. “Can I get you ladies anything to drink?”

“Something stiff and sweet for me. Matthew is driving.” Tandy grins.

“Something sweet but not too stiff for me.” I’m not quite ready to let go of his hand.

He gives me a wink, then walks away.

Tandy watches him cross the room, then steps closer to me, holding out a slip of paper. “This is my number. Keep it. Put it in your phone. And if you need anything, call me. Day or night. You’re important to Dallas and that makes you important to me. He’s a gem. To some, he looks a little rough around the edges, but?—”

“That’s not my experience at all. He’s amazing. And thank you for this.” I slip the number into my phone case after snapping a picture. “It’s hard to believe he’s still single. She did a number on him, didn’t she?”

Surprise shows on her face, then it morphs into delight. “He told you abouther?”

The emphasis on the wordhermakes me think Dallas chooses not to mention the ex’s name. “He hasn’t said much. Just that he was engaged and that she dumped him.” I keep my voice low. “But he didn’t say much else.”

She nods, then shifts aside as Dallas returns.

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