Page 35 of Finding My Charming

My mom peeked her head around the corner from the kitchen. “Elise! What’s the matter? I didn’t think you’d be home this early.”

My eyes drifted to the ceiling, searching for help, but I surrendered and shuffled down the hall to join her. I knew she’d follow me to my room if I didn’t. Might as well get food while the interrogation occurred.

“Someone doesn’t look — or sound — very happy tonight.” My grandma was at the counter next to the sink, peeling a potato.

Mom was standing behind her, facing the stove at the kitchen island. “What’s going on?”

I slumped into my normal stool, across from my mother. “That date was a complete disaster.”

Mom scrunched her nose while stirring something in the pot in front of her. “No chance it’s him?”

I shook my head and traced a pattern on the granite.

“I thought Beth was making a joke when she told me about your dates. I’ve got to say, Elise, I’m impressed,” Grandma remarked.

My mother caught my attention and shook her head gently.

Nothing good was going to come from whatever she said next, but I knew she wouldn’t stop until I caved. “Why is it impressive, Grandma?”

“You’re the first woman in over four-hundred years to screw it up, but at least you’re working to figure it out.”

My mouth dropped open as I sat there in stunned silence. My mother was looking between me and her mom, seemingly unsure who to address first.

“Mom!”

Ha! Grandma won.

“It’s not her fault.”

Grandma snorted, turning back and continuing her task.

She was right. Over four hundred years’ worth of women had worn the necklace and found their partners without any problems? What is wrong with me?

Mom sighed, sounding way too much like Grandma.

Chapter 14

my phone buzzed in my back pocket with my first step out the door after work, almost as if I was being watched. I turned around but didn’t recognize anyone on the street. I finally pulled it out and checked the screen. Of course.

“Hi, Ari.”

“You have ten minutes to get to the bakery on State Street and Washington Avenue. Do you know the one I’m talking about?”

Her rushed words caught me off guard. “Um… Huh? Yeah.” I was stuttering, but apparently, she understood since she instantly continued.

“You have a date with Headphones, whose name is Alec Bain.”

“What? Ari, how do you even know it’s him?” I unlocked my car and slid in. She kept talking, but I missed half of it while my phone connected to the Bluetooth. “Sorry! Say that again.”

“I said, he was the only one wearing headphones in any of the pictures. He looks cute from his profile. Longish brown hair and puppy-dog eyes. Your type.”

I narrowed my eyes at her generalization then realized she couldn’t see me. “You’re insane. I’m not meeting someone completely blind.”

“Don’t worry. I emailed you the link to his profile, and I was messaging him this morning as you.”

“Ari! Too far!”

“You were fine with it a few days ago.”