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“Why do you say that?” Eva took a step forward, not necessarily aggressive, but worried. Possibly guilty.
I shrugged, not willing to get into it at the moment, especially when there was a good chance Chris and I wouldn’t see each other again. “It’s just a sense I get.”
“Okay, but you kissed. Right?” There was a wild, almost desperate look in Sophie’s eyes, and I was sure that something was up.
“Yeah, but it was a chaste good night kiss, nothing more. We had a good time girls, all right? That’s all you need to know. Ninety percent or not, it’s up to each of us if we want to see each other again.”
“And do you?” Sophie took a step towards me, only stopping when I put a hand up between us. “Don’t you want to see him again? I mean he took you to an escape room which I’m sure you loved.”
I did love it, actually. A lot. “So I should marry the guy because he made a good choice for a first date? He’s a writer for crying out loud.” It was a good pick and I was impressed, but with these two trying so hard, I felt a little ornery. And more than a little suspicious.
“But if he asks,” Eva clarified. “What will you say?”
“You know what? I’m not doing this with you guys. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day.” I turned to walk away and Sophie, not Eva, reached out to grab my shoulder. I turned, slowly, and stared. “What the hell is going on with the two of you? And don’t lie to me. Tell me. Now.”
They shared another of those conspiratorial looks that I didn’t like before they both turned to me, the perfect picture of innocence. “This is as big for us as it could be for you and Chris. A match made with a rating this high could expand our reach beyond the greater Pilgrim area. Beyond Texas.” I knew how much this business meant to Sophie because I knew what it cost her to start it, and I understood that.
“And if it happened once, it can happen again.” I didn’t want them to pin their professional hopes on my personal life.
“Do you know how statistically unlikely that is?”
“No Sophie, I don’t. But you know what? I refuse to get my hopes up over a guy simply because you need me to! The last time I thought I was getting a ring, and all I got was ‘sayonara, see ya later’, so excuse me if I just plan to enjoy myself for a while.”
“Oh crap sticks,” Eva groaned. “I forgot all about the d-bag Tara. I’m sorry.”
“So am I,” Sophie began and it was a good start. “But you can’t let the stupidity of one man taint your vision of the future. Maybe him leaving, however terrible his exit, was the best thing to get you out of a relationship that wasn’t right for you. Either of you.” And of course, she ruined it.
“Soph, please.”
“No Tara. Please.” She took a step closer, looking less crazed this time, so I allowed it. “This is rare, for us and for you, but forget about Time for Love and your dear friends,” she flashed a sheepish smile. “And just think about you and your wants and needs and desires for the future. Chris could be it. Aren’t you even a little bit curious?”
“Don’t answer that,” Eva rushed in. “Just think about it. And then decide for yourself. We’ll talk soon. Okay?” I nodded and Eva accepted my agreement, practically dragging Sophie away.
“I’ll be in touch!” Sophie called out as she tried to free herself from Eva’s grip.
“No she won’t,” Eva called back. “You’ll be in touch, when and if you want to be.”
I waved at them both, relieved that they were gone and done harassing me for now, but annoyed they had put more thoughts of Chris in my head when I was steadfastly determined to ignore thoughts of him.
And thoughts of that kiss.
Or a really good first date.
Or more dates.
And more kisses.
Chris
“Daddy it’s time!” Lila’s high pitched whine was probably the only thing that could break through the fog of the new world I was creating, and even then it took a lot longer than it should have for my fingers to stop moving across the keyboard. “You promised!”
Those two words stopped my fingers promptly. She was right, I had promised that we would spend some time at the pumpkin patch erected in the Town Square to celebrate the start of fall.
“Sorry kiddo, I did promise.” A quick glance at the clock said we still had plenty of time, but that wasn’t the point, and even Lila was old enough to know that.
“Hurry up and get dressed Daddy, or all the good pumpkins will be gone.”
