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“Hmph,” I groaned and set the cupcakes on my desk. “Thank you, Lila. This was very kind and incredibly delicious.”
“You really like them?”
“No, I love them actually. I’ll think of you when I’m running on the treadmill to burn the calories off.” She giggled and I swear, I was becoming addicted to the sound.
The door opened again and I had to stifle a groan. This place was normally empty, just how I liked it, but today it was like The Mayflower. The familiar click-clack of heels turned my head and I had to stifle another groan when I saw Eva heading my way. Her strides determined and purposeful. She stopped beside Xander and grinned, her gaze bouncing around the group congregated at my desk.
“Well this is perfect. Just perfect.”
I didn’t want to ask. I really shouldn’t have asked, but the puzzle solver in me wouldn’t allow it. “What’s perfect?”
Eva’s eyes were filled with laughter. “That you and Chris are both here, of course. Why are you here?” she asked Chris, her voice tinged with more than casual curiosity, but rather, a need to know.
“We brought cupcakes to Tara for finding Lila’s bike.” His words were stiff and robotic, as if the answer were top secret.
“That was very kind of you, Lila. Such a sweetheart.”
Lila preened at the praise. “Thank you.”
“Well the good news is that I have really good news. The better news is that it’s for both of you!”
That cupcake turned to lead in my belly. “Spit it out already, Eva.”
“You and Chris have been matched. Together! Isn’t that wonderful?” I couldn’t tell if she was being honest or just screwing with me, but her earnest tone told the truth.
Sophie’s algorithm had matched me and Chris. For romance.
I groaned.
Chris masked his groan behind a cough.
Xander didn’t bother to hide his amusement at the whole damn thing.
Lila was mildly confused, but even her eight year old brain understood. “Does this mean that Officer Beechum is gonna be daddy’s girlfriend?”
An awkward silence descended, Lila’s excitement echoing around it.
Matched with Chris. I didn’t even know what that meant or how I really felt about it. But it seemed like a bad idea.
A really bad idea.
“Xander, you and Eva keep an eye on Lila while Tara and I take a moment.” He didn’t wait for either adult to agree, just gave a quick nod towards the exit and then left as if he just expected me to follow.
I stood on shaky legs and nodded at Chris’ back, following him slowly towards the sunny exit as I worked to get myself under control. Whatever he says, go with it. Don’t take the rejection hard. This isn’t personal, it’s practical. I prepared myself for whatever excuse he came up with to get out of the date Eva expected us to have.
It was fine, really. I wouldn’t feel rejected the way I had when my ex left me, I would be okay. I wasn’t looking to date anyone, anyway. Not really. Sure it would be nice to go out and laugh with someone about our crazy work week, to have someone to cuddle or kiss at the end of a date. But I had plenty of other things to focus on.
Like my career.
My friends.
My social life.
Chris stood at the bottom of the steps, arms folded and a serious expression on his face.
I nodded and mirrored his stance. “Okay, I’m ready. Lay it on me Chris.”
His chocolate brows dipped into a low, confused vee. “What are you talking about?”
I nodded and flashed a knowing smile. “Ah, okay. You want me to do it so you don’t seem like the bad guy. All right.” I took a deep breath and winked instead of working out what I should say. “Blah, blah, blah, reasons we shouldn’t do this. Sound about right?”
His confusion seemed to deepen, and then it was replaced with a low, deep laugh that hit me in places it shouldn’t. “You’re kind of crazy, aren’t you?”
“Sure. Okay. That’s a good enough reason.” He laughed again and I put my hands on my hips. “I’m not even a little crazy. In fact, I’m the sanest person I know.” That much was true, at least from my perspective.
Chris sighed, and his thick arms fell at his side. “It’s not that I don’t want to go on the date with you, Tara. I just have to be careful because Lila is on the hunt for a mother, and she likes you. A lot.” At my dumbfounded expression he groaned and raked a hand through those unflappable waves. “How many times did she mention Brittany’s stepdad when she told you about her bike?”
“A lot.”
“Exactly,” he laughed. “She’s obsessed and with you, it’ll only grow.”
I wasn’t sure if I was impressed with his protectiveness or insulted at his assumption. “So you think I’m not mom material?” Maybe I wasn’t, I didn’t know. But Lila and I got along well, and the kids at the FOP seemed to like me well enough.
