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"We missed you. She was beautiful, of course."
"I'm sure she was."
"So, what's up?"
"Good news! Hold on to your panties!" her voice trilled in my ear. "I'm sending a name and address to your phone."
"Oo-kaay." I wasn't sure how to take her announcement.
Seconds later, a 'ping' sounded indicating her text had come through. "So, what is this?"
"It's a who, and he's for you."
Oh, crap. It wouldn't be the first time she'd tried to set me up on a blind date.
I narrowed my eyes even though she couldn't see me. "I believe we've had this conversation before. Our taste in men is very different. And how do you expect me to meet someone who lives thousands of miles away."
By choice or coincidence, she chose guys with similar personalities to hers—the stereotypical bad boys who were more interested in seeing what her bedroom looked like than how smart and talented she was. I couldn't understand why she never aimed higher. I'd made a few attempts to talk about it, but she always waved it off and said she wasn't the commitment type like I was.
Despite knowing this, it didn't stop her from making suggestions for dates for me. I tried double dating with her once. After that night, I swore never again, having spent an entire dinner fending off a handsy date and declining his offers for a threesome before the appetizers had arrived. I didn't know if Jade was into that kind of thing, although it wouldn't surprise me. And while I was no prude, that was a big 'no' for me.
She laughed. "He's there in Passion. Check the text."
I did and saw J. Carter, 504 1st Ave., Suite 900, Passion, VA.
Seconds ticked by and what sounded like a long-suffering sigh blew through the speaker. "Seriously, Grace? Nothing? No bells going off?"
"Um, should I know that name?"
"Given that his name dampens the panties and puckers the nipples of most women between eighteen and eighty, yeah."
I almost choked. "Jade! Could you please be serious?"
"Never been more serious. I'm so jealous of you right now."
"Because..."
"Because you have an interview with him in about twenty minutes. I think Mother is trying to make up for forcing me to come here, and she made some phone calls on our behalf. It used to be this guy would just send off a check, but apparently he's changed his policy about donations, and that's why we hadn't heard back from him."
My brain flitted through all the names of who might attend the dinner that Jade and I had spent hours compiling and reaching out to. "Wait! As in JAC Enterprises?"
"Yes!" I held my phone out. Her enthusiasm was going to pop my eardrum one of these days. "His secretary called and said Mr. Carter would like to meet with you in person about a possible large donation! Mother says he rarely turns out to the events themselves, but hopefully, you can score a big check!"
"This is great, Jade! You caught me at the perfect time." I grimaced as I looked in the rearview mirror and grabbed a small bag I kept in my purse. After putting Jade on speaker, I reapplied some lip color and toned down the shine that had appeared after sitting in the close quarters of my car.
"Hey, Grace."
"Yeah?"
"Maybe you can get something more than a check from him. Like a phone number. Or accidentally drop your business card and do one of those sexy moves where you bend over and flash him your tits."
"Jaaade—"
"What? I'm just saying the man is hot in pictures. Unbutton your shirt more. You're gorgeous. You'd make beautiful babies together."
"You're insane." Not that I was considering her suggestion, but my hand flew to my silk blouse, fingering the neckline. Any more open holes and J. Carter would be getting the peep show Jade was likely envisioning. Not gonna happen!
"And yet you love me anyway."
