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Paul looks up at me. “I told Tess that you’re not a psycho, so it’s a date.”
“You saidallof your daughters will be there?”
He nodded. “They’re meeting Anna Mae.”
“Right.” Originally, I didn’t want to go to game night, but that was before I had all the facts. I know it’s wrong, and I know nothing can come of it, but I’m dying to see Meg again—preferably away from the school and away from Diane. Game night with her family sounds like the perfect opportunity. We won’t be breaking any rules. We’ll both be on dates with other people, and maybe if I see her with another man, it will finally sink in that she and I are, in fact, just friends…or at least Ihopeit will sink in. Then I can move on with my single parent life and forget about Meg Johnson.
“Sounds fun,” I say. “Let’s plan on it.”
CHAPTER18
MEG
Ipull up to my childhood home and park in front. My eyes scan across the two-story red brick house and lush green yard. The place seems empty now without my mom here.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask my date, Nigel.
Charlene really came through for me by setting me up with her sister’s grandson. He’s exactly what I’m looking for—a little unassuming, a little boring, lacking muscles, but nice.
“I love game night.” Nigel’s eyes brighten. “Do you think we’ll play Settlers of Catan?Because I’m excellent at that game. I own the extension.”
I feign interest. “Maybe.”
We pass by Tessa and Brooke’s cars as we walk to the front porch. I give a few raps on the door before opening it. “Hello?”
“We’re in the kitchen,” Brooke calls.
I shoot Nigel a reassuring smile, hoping that my sisters play nice. I’ve never brought a man like this home.
“Hey,” I say as we walk into the kitchen. The room is outdated in every way, with blue Formica countertops and dark cupboards, but it’s home, so I would never want it to change. “This is Nigel.” Everything about how I’m acting is over the top—my smile, the high pitch of my voice. I just want everyone to know that boring Nigel is a good fit for me. I gesture to him. “Nigel, this is my sister Tessa.” She’s sitting at the kitchen table with her nose in a tabloid. “And my sister, Brooke, and her friend, Ben.” They’re behind the kitchen island putting together a vegetable tray.
“Hey,” they all say back in unison, not giving us their full attention, except for Ben.
He extends one hand to Nigel. “How’s it going?”
“Good. I’m ready to use my intellect to destroy you guys in some games.” Nigel laughs at his own joke. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep things friendly.”
Tessa finally glances up, giving me heryou’ve-got-to-be-kidding-melook. Nigel turns to grab a celery stick from the tray, and I take that moment to mouth to Tessa behind his back. “Hot man ban. Remember?”
She rolls her eyes, shaking her head as her attention goes back to the magazine.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask, looking around.
“He's still upstairs getting ready,” Tessa says, flipping the page. “He wants to look his best for his date with Anna Mae.”
I straighten. “This isn't a date. He's just bringing a friend. It's no big deal.”
“He's actually bringingtwofriends,” Tessa says.
“What do you mean?” Are there going to be two women here that I have to pretend to like?
“Haven't you heard?” Brooke throws a teasing smile Tessa’s way. “Dad is setting Tess up with his friend from the cemetery.”
“What? I thought he was like, seventy.”
“Nah, he’s thirty-something.”
That’s a big age gap for Tessa. “Like, lower thirties or older?”
