Page 11 of Anchored Love
Everly
That Awkward Moment When You’re Wearing Nikes And You Still Can’t Just Do It…
“It’s one blind date.Come on. David is a nice guy. Say yes. It’s one drink and maybe an appetizer, if you don’t hate him.” I knew Samantha meant well and wanted to help, but it wasn’t like I could go on one date with some random guy she set me up with and then proceed to invite him to go on vacation with me for a week. How awkward would it be, like oh, by the way, dude, my family thinks you’re my boyfriend. Because that wouldn’t freak any sane person out. I loved Sam, but sometimes she forgot that my mother could be neurotic, and the last thing I needed was to impose some random weirdo on my family. But time was running out. My options were zero. Desperation clung to me.
“I don’t know.” I picked at my fries, but they were soggy. Why oh why did they have to turn bad so fast?
“Don’t you at least want to look at his picture?” She grinned, thrusting her phone in my direction, knowing I’d have to peek.
“Fine. Tell me about him.” I gave in, though I should’ve known better.
“David is divorced and a little older than you, but no kids or weird baggage that I’m aware of.”
“How much older?” I pressed, staring at the photo of a shirtless man with muscles big enough to give the Hulk a run for his money. Big blue eyes and light blond hair that could have some streaks of silver peppered in there. While handsome, I got the impression this guy and I had quite the age gap.
“Um … early forties.” Her lips rolled inward.
“Sam!”
“He’s good looking. And a really great guy.”
“I’m twenty-nine. What could we possibly have in common?”
“Well, there’s me for starters.”
“How do you know him?” I tossed my fries down and grabbed my soda, taking a swallow.
“He owns the gym I go to, and he’s very nice. He has money and would insist on picking up any extras.”
I narrowed my gaze on her. I knew he seemed familiar. “You dated him.” I slid the cell phone back to her side of the table.
“Maybe date is a strong word to use here. I had sex with him a few times.”
“Oh gross. Hell no. I’m not going on a date with your ex-fuck buddy. Jesus, Samantha. I’m not that desperate.”
“I’m trying extremely hard not to feel offended right now.”
“Don’t make this about you. I’m the one who needs a boyfriend.” I pouted and shoved a greasy fry in my mouth. Ugh. I spit it out into my napkin and went for a stick of gum to get rid of the bad taste left in my mouth.
“Then I shouldn’t need to remind you that beggars can’t be choosers, and you, my dearest friend, are running out of time.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” I groaned and rubbed my temples.
“I’m just saying. Don’t shoot the messenger. I told David all about your situation, and he’s okay with playing pretend.”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I truly love you, but he looks the exact opposite of what I told my mother my mystery man looks like.” Not to mention he’d done the naked tango with my best friend more than once.
“And just who did you describe?”
The alarm I sat on my phone chimed. Saved by the bell. “Time to go.” I gathered up my garbage, but this wouldn’t be the end of the conversation. When Samantha got stuck on something, she was like a dog with a bone. She only meant to help, and I had no idea what my problem was. She was giving me an option. One that I didn’t have. Something was just holding me back.
“I’ll catch up with you later. I gotta drop by the dry cleaners to get Mr. Lowry’s suit.”
“Later.”
“If you change your mind about David, let me know.”
I gave her a wave over my shoulder. Not that I’d sleep with David, but knowing my best friend did gave me the heebie-jeebies. Going on a week-long date, who knew what he would expect.
