Page 5 of All Dressed Up

“I’ve been busy. It’s wedding season after all.” That much was true. The town was all in a buzz for the wedding of the year between Emma Stevens and Jason Levine. His mom had called him the minute the happy couple announced their June wedding date, giving him specific orders not to blow this one.

Zoe rolled her eyes. “Sounds like an excuse.”

“It’s not like I couldn’t get a date if I tried.”

“Then why aren’t you trying?”

His gaze inadvertently darted out the window, landing where it’d been earlier.

“Rachel,” Zoe confirmed. She knew the backstory. She and Rachel weren’t the best of friends, but since Zoe started dating Donovan, they’d called a truce. “I thought you told me last month you were over her?”

Good memory. He had told Zoe over lunch in the park that his messing around with Rachel had only been about sex and had run its course. He’d only said it to save face when Rachel strolled by minutes earlier with nothing more than a quick, forced “hi” before rushing off. “I amover her.”

“Then prove it. I hear Emma’s running Batter Up night again. Maybe you could be tonight’s bachelor.”

He let out a deep laugh. Not only was Emma the town’s most anticipated bride, she was known for her matchmaking abilities of the magical kind. On Monday nights, she whipped up a spell at the Sugar Spoon bakery that revealed the soul mate in cake batter for one chosen male.

To an outsider, it was crazy, but he wasn’t an outsider. Born and bred in Buttermilk Falls, he’d witnessed many Batter Up nights over the years. Most of the males in this town had.

He’d never been chosen for the spell, and that was fine by him. He didn’t really believe in soul mates, hearts connecting, all that crap. “I’ll pass.”

“Well, you have to do something.” Zoe drummed her fingers on the counter. “I know!” She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone, tapping away.

“What are you doing?”

“Setting you up. My yoga instructor, Amber, is single. She’s really nice.” She looked up and winked. “You’ll like her. She’s cute.”

“I don’t know...” He scrubbed the scruff on his chin.

She grinned down at her phone and held it up. “It’s already done. Meet her tomorrow night at the Lakeside Inn for a drink at six. If anything, it’ll be nice for her to get out. She’s new in town.”

Will grabbed the lunch bag and discarded it into a wastebasket behind him. “You know, Zoe, I prefer to ask a woman out personally and not go through a middleman.”

“I’ll collect my fee later. Have a good time.” She tossed him a mischievous grin. “I wantallthe details tomorrow.”

Will shook his head as Zoe kissed his cheek goodbye. Seconds later, she was on her way back up the street to the Ice Heaven.

He maneuvered around the counter, picking up the first long, flowing white dress of a dozen he needed to steam, hanging it high in front of a full-length mirror.

Maybe going on a date was what he needed to get out of this rut.

It was only drinks. He liked hanging out on the docks of the Lakeside Inn. Besides, Zoe said Amber was cute. Watching the sun set over Buttermilk Lake with a pretty lady sounded like a great way to spend tomorrow night.

“I’m in,” he said out loud to no one, but somehow saying the words cemented his evening plans. Itwastime to dive back into the dating pool.

He plugged in the steamer, catching a glimpse of his rough exterior in the mirror. It had been almost two weeks since he’d shaved. Standing tall, he ran a hand through his hair, his normal buzz cut had grown out.

If he was all in, he was going to need to clean up.

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