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I shook my head with a laugh. “You’re biased because if by some chance we go the distance, it’s another feather in the Time for Love cap.”
“Yes, I am biased because I want you to find love.” Eva rolled her eyes. “I’m so awful.”
“Eva,” I growled, annoyed.
“You owe it to yourself, to your heart to go on this one date with Ben. Forget his motives and just focus on his actions. Do his eyes light up when he looks at you? Are you having a good time? Pay attention to how you feel, to how he makes you feel. And if after the goodnight kiss, you’re still not sure, then you can say you gave it the old college try.”
She had a point. “Is this the same pep talk you give all your clients?”
Eva looked at me and let out a loud bark of laughter. “No, this is the friends and family pep talk. Half price but double the wisdom.”
“Thanks. Is this the part where you wish me good luck?” I could use a heck of a lot more than good luck.
The doorbell rang and Eva’s gray eyes lit up. “No, because you don’t need good luck. You have everything you need, Joss. Now you just have to believe it. Now go, knock Ben dead with his dress, and don’t forget to have a good time.”
I wasn’t that was possible, but it was too late to do anything but try now.
“I know I already said it a few times, but you look really great in that dress.” Ben slid another appreciative look my way and I felt it in all the good parts.
All of them. “Thank you, Ben. You look nice too.”
He shook his head. “No, you look way more than nice. Sexy as hell. That dress does something to your eyes.” He shook his head again, this time in disbelief as a crooked smile pulled up on one side of his handsome face.
“Thanks.” I hated that his words had the power to make me blush. To arouse me when I didn’t want to be aroused. “So where are we going?” We had been driving for a while and my curiosity was piqued.
“Do you like French food?”
“I like French fries and all the Cajun and creole food I’ve sampled in my lifetime, but I can’t say I’ve eaten any actual French food.” And French food was supposed to be romantic, right? Did that mean he was trying and that Eva was right, I needed to keep an open mind?
“Then you are in for a real treat.”
Ben was right, the restaurant was pretty much everything a girl could want for a first date. The Chateau was dimly lit with soft French music playing, and the whole place smelled like heaven. It was also about forty-five minutes from Pilgrim, located on thee other side of Tulip. “This place is nice.” It really was nice but I couldn’t shake the disappointment that settled over my shoulders.
“Oh my goodness, Joss is that you?” The voice held a familiar southern twang but I couldn’t say I recognized it, but I turned anyway and smiled in surprise. Ben didn’t seem too interested so I stopped at their table while he went…someplace else.
Hesitant surprise. “Mikki? Nate? Hi.” I didn’t know what to say to them, especially it was clear Nate wanted nothing to do with me. “How are you guys?”
“Great” Mikki laughed and sat back, rubbing her belly. “I mean other than being one thousand months pregnant and hungry all the time, not to mention all the time I spend in the bathroom these days, I’m great.”
“Well you look beautiful, all glow-y and stuff.”
“Thank you, Joss. That’s nice to hear.” She sighed and looked at her husband who didn’t quite glare, but his dislike was clear.
“Jase has been expecting you to call.” His voice was deep and accusatory.
“I figured it was best, for everyone, if I didn’t.” A girl could only take so much rejection and Ben had given me enough to last at least through the rest of this year.
He shrugged, making it clear that he didn’t care one way or the other. “Do what you want.”
It wasn’t exactly a rolled out welcome mat, then again I didn’t expect it to be. “I will, but thanks for your permission.” I didn’t want to ruin my pity date or their night out so I flashed a smile at Mikki and prepared to get back to Ben. “Enjoy your night out, and the bathroom.”
Mikki laughed loudly and shook her head. “Read my review of it on Yelp!”
“Will do,” I told her with a wave, not bothering with a farewell to the brother who wanted nothing to do with me. Why should I when I had a date with a perfectly gorgeous high school principal who only wanted to be with me in the privacy of my home. And my bedroom. And my shower.
