Page 120 of Third Time Lucky

‘How’d you find me this time? I turned that GPS off. So, you should know, if you one day disappear, nobody’s coming for ya.’

Aaron rolls his eyes. ‘You weren’t home and it’s a weekday, that means you’re here. Didn’t need the GPS. Though I didn’t expect you to be here so early. Did things go well?’ he asks, glancing my way and waggling his eyebrows.

‘I suppose you told Madi what I said?’

He nods, with a wide smile. ‘We’ve got no secrets.’

‘And apparently neither do we,’ I chime in.

‘Nope. Now, help me,’ Aaron pleads with desperation in his words and eyes.

Lucy gives me a questioning look, silently asking if we should trust Aaron and help him with whatever he needs. I nod slightly, indicating that we should hear him out.

I examine him closely, raising an eyebrow at his outfit – a light pink T-shirt with a bright purple heart front and center and very skinny jeans.

‘Them are some tight pants,’ I comment, trying to avoid the bulge I can only hope is not one of his socks. ‘Let me guess, are you channeling your inner Swayze and hearing a pottery wheel calling your name?’

He smirks, nodding like he’s proud of me for remembering his hero’s name. ‘No, but I’m adding that to the month-aversary date list.’

‘Month-aversary?’ I ask, curious about where he’s going with this.

He nods. ‘Madi’s idea and never again am I disagreeing with her so now it’s a thing. But, to prove I’m serious, I need something romantic, that I came up with on my own, to prove I’m the guy she’s sure I am.’

‘That’s what you need help with?’

‘Yes. Tonight, at the restaurant, I cook, you wait, you bartend,’ he says, pointing at each of us as he assigns roles.

‘You think I know how to bartend?’ Lucy retorts incredulously. ‘I can barely use the espresso machine. Pouring a drink into a glass is about the extent of my skills.’

Aaron rolls his eyes. ‘You think this shit is rocket science? This guy bartended as a second job for years,’ he says, nodding at me once again like I’m an idiot.

‘How about she waits, and I bartend then?’ I suggest.

‘Fine, just show up at six. Madi arrives at eight.’

‘It’s gonna take us two hours to cook?’ I ask. ‘What are you making?’

‘That part is undecided yet, which is why I need time. And dress the part; I want this to be classy. Black tie.’

I choke a laugh. ‘Black tie means tuxedo.’

Aaron nods. ‘Better get to the rental store before they close then.’

Lucy shoots me an amused grin. ‘Ooh, this is going to be just like prom,’ she teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I guess the restaurant is hosting its first guest.

39

LUCY

A chaotic mound of dresses lay scattered on the floor, a testament to my failed attempts at finding the perfect outfit. I let out an exasperated sigh and begin rummaging through my closet, yanking out any dress that catches my eye. I feel like a princess trying to choose her royal attire for a grand ball – with my new prince.

‘Can I come in, darling?’ Mitzi asks, gently knocking on my door and peeking inside.

I open the door and her eyes immediately land on the pile of clothing by my feet.

‘Wardrobe troubles?’ she asks sympathetically.

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