Page 2 of The Fun Part
So I get there, and the table’s set all fancy with a white tablecloth, candles, wine, and three place settings. My brothers are no-shows. It’s me, Mom, and Colin, a man I’ve never met. He looked to be in his thirties and was very smiley. Turned out he was the best man from a recent wedding Mom planned. He confessed immediately he was looking for a good Catholic woman to marry and have children with as soon as possible. Cue me running screaming to the nearest exit.
But I didn’t because I. Am. A. Lady. And ladies don’t run screaming from their family dinners, even if it turns out your mom has spent the hour before you arrived poring through the family photo albums with a stranger and oversharing about you. I only know this because he confided that he’d also had a terrible haircut before school picture day.
Those pixie-cut pictures were supposed to be burned!
Mom spent most of dinner asking Colin questions and complimenting him on his answers. I felt like I was on a cringe quiz show. What will she win next? A new man!
He wouldn’t touch the wine and spoke at length about how unnecessary foul language was. I was starting to wonder if hewas an old man trapped in a thirtyish body, but then it all became clear when the moment of truth arrived—dessert.
That was when Colin’s parents walked in, greeting me like I was the answer to their prayers. Seemed I was their last hope for grandchildren before Colin took his vow of celibacy to become a priest.
That’s right, Mom set me up with a near priest to save his future gene pool.
Colin joined the priesthood. Mom and I had words. I even used some foul language, dammit, which she and Colin both hate.
Mom means well, or so she says. Dad intervened after the priest fiasco and made Mom swear to stop her efforts on my behalf. He told me she made a solemn promise. Even so, I remain vigilant. Valentine’s Day could reactivate her matchmaking instincts.
I turn my attention back to Harper, who’s still blocking the door. I think I know why she’s having second thoughts about the dance. The guy she loves to hate, Nathan Brooks, is here with a date. Harper would naturally prefer to go in with a date of her own to show him up. It’s a weird rivalry thing between them I don’t pretend to understand. I work with Nathan, and he’s awesome.
I put a hand on her arm. “Nathan’s going to be focused on his date, so you don’t have to worry about him bugging you. Can we go in now?”
She raises her chin, crossing her arms. “Like I care what he does.”
I take advantage of her shift in stance, squeezing between her and the door. Thankfully, she follows me inside. The dance is held in a cool dance studio with a small stage beyond the dance floor, where a jazz band is warming up. They expanded the break room into a large kitchen to accommodate catered events likethis. When you live in a small town, people get creative with multi-use buildings.
We head to the coat room and hang up our coats.
“I like being single,” I say, a cheery reminder for both of us. “I’ve dedicated my twenties to casual fun.” Thirty is when future me will reconsider my stance.
Harper fluffs her hair, trying to bring out the waves she added with a curling iron. Gravity has already taken its toll. “Yeah, yeah. But when was the last time you actually had casual fun?”
“Shut up.”
“You completely gave up on relationships after Shawn.”
I walk briskly toward the crowd of family and friends gathered on the dance floor, watching the door for the guests of honor. The jazz band waits while low music plays on the speakers.
“It’s not like I haven’t seen anyone since him,” I throw over my shoulder.
She hurries after me. “Your mom’s efforts on your behalf don’t count.”
I clench my teeth, not liking the reminder. “Remember the lawyer?”
“You lasted one hour. He bored you to tears.”
“Yeah, so now I stay away from lawyers. See? I learn.”
We join the crowd, exchanging hugs and greetings while we wait. My cousin Mason should’ve proposed by now; then the plan was to come here to celebrate with everyone. The large dance studio with mirrors along two walls is decorated with streamers and “Congratulations!” balloons. Obviously my family is filled with optimistic romantics. It’s a trial I have to bear.
Harper grabs my arm. “Hold on now. I spy tall, dark, and handsome, and he’snotrelated.” She points her elbow at Mystery Dude.
I look over and suck in air.Gorgeous.Sexy. Outstanding. He’s built like an athlete—tall, wide shoulders, slim hips. I’m guessing early thirties. He’s in a white button-down shirt with gray trousers. His dark brown hair has a slight wave that I’m betting feels like silk. Dark eyes, trimmed beard.Yes, please!
His gaze collides with mine. My heart races, and heat rushes from my cheeks down my entire body. I look away from the gorgeous stranger, suddenly realizing he’s talking to my matchmaking mom.Not today, Mom. A blind date planned by my mother on Valentine’s Day is not the way I saw tonight going.
I’m a grown-ass woman who can find my own man.
I amnotthat desperate!
