Page 326 of Small Town Firsts
I dug my phone out of my bag. “What’s the name of it?”
He was silent for a beat too long. Enough that I gave him some serious side eye. His finger tapped on the steering wheel. “It’s new. There’s no site.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Everything has a site. That’s how you market these days. Especially for startups.”
“Patience, Miss Moon.”
I huffed out a growl and scrolled through my messages, but unfortunately, there wasn’t anything pressing or interesting to reply to. Luna had a group session tonight at her new apartmentbuilding. A few of the tenants had been interested in learning about tarot.
Not that I wanted to tell her I was going to some random speed dating event tonight—especially if I didn’t ask her to come. She’d kill me.
Hell, shewouldkill me when she found out. She always knew.
I straightened in my seat as Preston pulled into…a clinic? I turned to him. “What the hell are you into, PMS?”
He didn’t answer me, just got out and came around to open my door. I was so flabbergasted I didn’t even try to open my own door. He held his hand out for me, and I couldn’t think of a good reason not to take it. Especially when his eyes dared me to say no.
The hum and near burn of contact darkened my mood even further. I quickly snatched my hand out of his, swung my bag over my shoulder, and stalked for the door.
A huge window took up most of the front of the building. It was decorated with hearts and flowers in colorful window paint. Balloons decorated the door and were also tied to one of those chalkboard sandwich boards. A rather realistic drawing of a kitten peeked from the corner with an invitation to come inside for the speed dating event.
I could feel him looming behind me, so I glanced back. “I suppose it’s only natural they need to use animals to help humans hook up.”
Preston’s eyebrow lifted, but he just gave me an amused look. And again, he managed to get around me to open the door, dammit.
The little clinic was bustling with people. The air was a bit antiseptic with a soothing overlay of lavender. As a mystical sort, I approved of the soothing use of essential oils, especially for something as nerve-inducing as meet and greets.
Secondary approval for the fact that lavender was one of the few essential oils safe for cats. It was amazing how many people could poison their animals with the essential oils craze that had taken over the world.
A short line of people were waiting to be checked in, and little pens were set up with blankets and toys for the supposed meet and greet areas. Before I could open my mouth and ask more questions, PMS took my hand and we wove around to another desk lined with pamphlets, fancy cat food adverts, and various medicines that I’d never heard of.
“I’d like to check in, and I’ve got a plus one.”
The woman behind the desk gave him a wide smile and fluttered her astoundingly fake lashes at him. Her friendly factor dimmed a few notches when she noticed me.
“Of course, Mr. Shaw.” Her fingers flew over her keyboard.
They knew him here? Just how many times had he done this kind of thing?
“I am not your plus one. How does that even work with speed dating—” I stopped short.
No way would he be into that… Or would he? How well did I know him, after all?
I swallowed and refused to assess the quick prick of sweat forming between my boobs. “Look, I’m open-minded, but I’m not really into the poly thing.”
The woman glanced up from her computer, her mouth dropping open.
Preston cleared his throat. “Do you have another application, Tracy?”
“Yes, of course.”
He handed her his sheet and the card he’d somehow whipped out when I wasn’t paying attention. “You can put both on my card.”
I lifted my chin. “I told you I can pay my own way.”
“It’s fine. My treat.”
I elbowed him out of the way as I dug into my bag. “I don’t need you to.”
