Page 2 of Match My Fall
Giannascanned her club.Whenshe made eye contact, she smiled and said something toSebastian.Theywalked over to us.
“Hey, ladies,” she said with a smile. “Ididn’t know you were coming in tonight.”
“Itwas a last-minute plan sincePaigeis with her father,”Ireplied.
Sebastiantipped his head and greeted us.
“Scootover,”Giannasaid and slid into the booth besidePandora. “What’snew?”
Imoved over soSebastiancould sit beside me.Wecaught up as we chatted about life for a few minutes.
Whenwe got to my update about takingPaigeto my parents’ next weekend,Giannarubbed her hands together and her eyes sparkled. “Youhave the weekend free.Whatare you going to do?”
Ishrugged. “Probablydrive back home and catch up on stuff around the house.”
Giannascoffed at that idea with a wagging index finger. “No, no, no.Youmight as well make the most of it.”Shegestured with a turn of her hand. “Dosomething fun for yourself while you’re up there.HavesomeCassandratime.”
“InMainein the winter?That’snot where most people flock to—unless they’re skiing.”
“Sogo skiing,”Pandorasuggested.
“FranconiaMountainisn’t far from there,”Sebastiansaid.He’dgrown up in a pack in theWhiteMountainsregion ofNewHampshire. “Ihaven’t skied there yet, butIhear it’s a great resort,”
“AndAuroralives there now,”Pandoraadded. “Youcould visit her.”
Aurorawas a witch from theNetworkwho’d gone up the mountains to mediate between two quarreling wolf packs.ShemetGrayson, a wolf shifter and beta of theFranconiapack, and ended up staying.Anotherinstance of love conquering all—unless you choose an arrogant fae who betrays you.
“Wewant to go up this winter when we can find a time that’s not so busy,”Giannaadded.Shepulled out her phone. “Infact, whenIlooked into it a few weeks ago, they listed events like races, bands, and stuff like that.”Shesquealed. “Oh, look at that!Chairliftspeed dating next weekend.”Sheshowed us her phone and then nudged me. “Youshould do it,Cassandra.”
Ishook my head with adamance. “Noway.Itried speed dating here recently, remember?”Itook a sip of my drink.
“Butyou weren’t into it,”Giannadismissed. “Itwas all part of a ruse.”
“Oh,Iremember quite well,”Pandoranoted in a wry tone.
Weexchanged a glance, andIgave her a sheepish smile.Afew of us at theNetworkhad conspired withGiannaduring one of her speed dating nights here at theDangerZoneto help getPandoraandAustintogether.
“Andlook how it all worked out.”Giannabeamed with a proud smile. “YouandAustinare now living in domestic bliss.”
“True.”Pandora’sgaze traveled from one of us to the next. “Thankyou for yourmisguided machinations.”Herlips quirked into a grin.
“You’revery welcome.”Giannaignored the teasing sarcasm and raised her chin. “So, what do you think?”Sheturned her attention back to me.
Itapped my fingers on my sangria glass. “Idon’t see how being stuck with a stranger on a ride up a chairlift counts as ‘Cassandratime,’”Ijoked. “Itsounds more likeI-could-be-trapped-in-an-awkward-conversation-with-nowhere-to-escapescenario.”
Gianna’seyes widened with excitement. “Thenyou’d have to tell me about it.There’snothingIenjoy more than a story with lots of ooey awkwardness.”
“Ohyes,I’mitching to be mortified for other’s entertainment,”Idrawled.
GiannaandSebastianboth chuckled.
Pandoramotioned around the club. “Sinceyou lured me here for speed dating,Ithink there should be payback.Youneed to give this chairlift speed dating thing a try.”
Igroaned. “Couples.Alwaystrying to play matchmaker.”
Pandoracleared her throat. “Weren’tyou part of the matchmaking shenanigans here?”
“Guilty.”Igrinned and took a sip of sangria. “Isuppose you’re right, and sinceIcoaxed you here, it won’t kill me to try chairlift dating.Afterall, what’s the worst that could happen?Iget stuck with a yeti?”
