Page 3 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
“We try. It’s free and all volunteer staffed. With it being summer many of our teenagers want to sleep in so they don’t sign up to read.”
“That’s a shame. Reading circles are great for kids, and the fact you let us use books from the store can also mean sales for you. Do you have a volunteer sign up sheet? I’ll check it against my schedule.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, dear. You’re coming to the ladies reading club this week, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Highlight of my week.” I wave goodbye and head out.
Highlight of my week. Geez, did I really have to say that? True, but how pathetic does that make me that the only beau I have is a book boyfriend and BOB.
I stop at the store for a couple frozen dinners and head to my apartment. After kicking off my shoes and putting my meager groceries away, I curl up in my chair with my latest romance book recommended by Sally at the Book Nook. Yum, it’s a firefighter.
Images of Aaron’s dad in his tight T-shirt and body-hugging jeans fill my mind. By the third chapter the hero of the book no longer looks like the cover model but my very own hometown firefighter.
The next day Nan calls and asks if I could stop by after work. She’s with someone when I get there so I find the next two books in the firefighter romance series I started last evening. After reading the blurbs I’m afraid it’s going to be another all-nighter of reading. If I could just be patient. Thursdays are my overnight shift.
“Dear, I am so glad you could come in. I need a favor, and I didn’t want to talk to you over the phone. Can I order you a pinot?”
I nod. After our drinks arrive, we both take a sip. “If this is about next Saturday, I checked and I’m free to read to the children. I volunteer at the library but on my time, so I can go in after I read for you. The week after I need to work at the daycare. I’m covering for someone.”
“This is wonderful. We so appreciate you coming in to read. You have the perfect voice and inflection. I heard how impressed the parents are. Wednesday is your day off, correct?
“Yes.”
“Dear, I need another little favor. We had a Blind Date Auction to raise funds for our Books for Children event we’redoing later in the year. We had a gentleman who paid for a date, but the woman he was matched with moved out of town.
“Would you please consider taking her place? It’s just a simple dinner at Collette’s. The food there is always divine. You don’t have to give your address or phone number.
“He’ll meet you at the restaurant. He’s a single father and works a lot, just like you do. I honestly don’t know when you have any fun with your hours at the daycare and the volunteering you do. But that’s a conversation for another day.
“Think of it as two people getting out, having adult conversation, making a new friend, having a fabulous meal, all for a good cause. Please say you’ll help me out.”
“It’s not a date, right? I’m not dating right now.”Or ever again.
“No dear. Just a dinner for charity.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s a surprise, dear. A Blind Date. Collette reserves a table and gives us a number. We tell you and the gentleman then you meet there. All very public and safe.”
Taking a sip of my wine. I grab hold of my composure as every disastrous dating experience tries to surface.
“Just dinner and I leave?”
“Yes. Now if the two of you hit it off and you exchange numbers, that’s totally up to you.”
Like that’s going to happen.
“Fine, but you have to order books four and five for me on this series Sally talked me into.”
“Done.” The cheshire cat smile on Nan’s face should worry me. Too late to back out now.
The night of the blind date arrives, and I have half my closet on the bed. Everything left is my daycare or stained clothes and sloppy home alone outfits. I honestly had not noticed how pathetic my wardrobe had become. What am I going to wear?
There’s nothing for it, the only thing that’s presentable is my funeral dress. I laugh. Okay, going on a blind date with someone who signed up for a blind date with someone else, is kind of like walking into a depressing funeral. At least no one really died and it’s just the woeful state of my dating life.
I have some dangling silver and pearl earrings, bangle bracelets and a fake pearl necklace. Unless he’s a jeweler, he’ll never know. Considering I’ve never been able to walk in heels, my black flats will have to do. They also make for a quick getaway.
Resigned to my fate, and a little anxious. I smooth on some dusty-rose lipstick and head for the door before I completely chicken out. To be on the safe side I call a rideshare in case I have a drink or ten.
