Page 47 of Lovesick
“A payout?” I cried. “What the hell does that mean?”
She stopped, then laughed. “No, not like that! It’s from my sister! If these clients close on the house, she’ll give me a bonus.”
Still didn’t like this. I didn’t have a great feeling about Tyler. Lizbeth hopped out of the car, a small purse slung over her left shoulder. Just before the door closed, she paused. “Oh, JJ? Don’t open any of them.”
“What?”
“The bags. Leave them closed, okay?”
I hesitated, shot her a grin, and finally agreed. “Fine.”
For half a second, I saw hesitation in her gaze.
She opened her mouth, then closed it. “Thanks, JJ. Talk soon.”
“Be safe, Lizbeth.”
It was the best I could do. She shut the door and walked away, looking gorgeous in her sleek gray jacket. This Tyler guy would be an idiot if he didn’t gobble her up. Which said nothing good about me.
Resigned, I turned the Zombie Mobile and headed downtown. I had a date of my own, but it wasn’t with an adorable, perky redhead.
17
Lizbeth
Blind dates stressed me out.
Normally, I put too much pressure on a new guy. Mentally catalogued whether they fit my idea of a storybook romance. What kind of love interest wouldtheymake? Would they dance in the rain? Kiss me senseless in the kitchen? Would they be safe, gentle, and kind?
Tonight felt twenty times worse, and it was all because of JJ. His perfectly easy smile while I shopped for him without him even knowing it. The unaffected way he took me to the date. It had been a bit weird when I asked them for the ride, but now he seemed as unattached as ever. Like he’d friend-zoned me.
Again.
One could argue that all the romance books covered this, and he was secretly seething with jealousy, but I doubted it. He certainly wasn’t coming off that way. At all.
Disappointing.
The Zombie Mobile let out a belch of black smoke and then pulled back into traffic. At the door, I stopped, pulling in a deep breath. My phone vibrated, so I stepped to the side.
From JJ, maybe?
Ellie:Good luck on the date and be safe. I slipped a handheld taser into your purse before you left for Adventura, just in case.
A quick inspection confirmed. I rolled my eyes.
Lizbeth:Thanks. You’re worse than Mav, you know?
Ellie:I know. Devin and I are driving to Jackson City now to hit up a movie. If you need anything, we’re literally up the road.
Lizbeth:How ironic is the fact that you’re driving from little old Pineville to Jackson City right now?
Ellie:It’s entirely on purpose. I wanted to make sure you’re safe because blind dates can be weird. Dev talked me out of doing dinner at the same restaurant, so be grateful.
A little smile graced my face. Ellie’s obsession with safety wasn’t new—it had always been a bit extreme. A pang tugged at my heart. I already missed her, and it had only been a few days. Devin, even as a football player, wouldn’t be half as scary as my sister if I found myself in a bad date situation.
Lizbeth:I’ll be safe. JJ is in Jackson City too. He gave me a ride.
Ellie:On the date?!
