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“I agree Val, you have to say yes. It’s a dance.”
“It’s not really even a date anyway. He wants the girls to come along too.” Which confirmed that it wasn’t a date. Not really. It was a family thing.
“I’m happy to watch the girls if you want, all three,” Pippa offered. “Ryan will be in Los Angeles helping Roman record some of his songs that weekend.” She flashed a blushing smile. “We’re going to have Valentine’s Day a week early this year.”
“No, the girls are excited about attending a dance, and they’ve been driving me nuts with trying on different outfits.” I wouldn’t prioritize my own comfort or happiness for theirs. “I just don’t get why, though. He’s hot and young, a former model. What does he even want with me?”
“Hot cougar sex is my guess,” Carlotta offered with a dreamy grin on her face. “What? Even proper ladies like to get it on girls.”
“This isn’t about sex. Trey could get sex from any woman in town.”
“And it looks like he’s trying to,” Pippa offered with a laugh. “and you’re denying the man the privilege of getting it on with your sexy self.”
“Our kids are friends. Good friends.”
“For cryin’ out loud, Val, we’re talking about a date to a dance, not an engagement. Just say yes.”
“Say yes,” Pippa agreed. “Just say yes.”
I couldn’t deny that I wanted to say yes and spend an evening wrapped in Trey’s strong arms, laughing and swaying to the music. But was it the right thing to do? “I don’t know.”
“You don’t need to know,” Pippa said and snatched my phone off the table. “You want to do this. If you didn’t, you would’ve told him no already.”
“I promised him that I would think about it. He’s been so great, not just as my assistant but as a sort of muse. He’s a good guy, and I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
Carlotta arched a brow. “Even though you think he has impure motives that don’t include having sex with you? Yeah, sure. Make up your mind, honey.”
“I don’t think his motives are impure, but I think he’s lonely and new to parenting and I’m convenient.”
“Convenient, sure,” Carlotta agreed. “Like if Chris Hemsworth moved in next door to me. Sure he’s right next door, but aside from all of that, he’s sexy and big and blond. And yummy.”
“Focus Carlotta,” Pippa said and looked up from my phone with a satisfied smile. “You’re going to the dance with Trey, and you suggested a pre-date date so you don’t act weird in front of your children.”
“What?” I reached for my phone and Pippa held it just out of reach. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you weren’t going to, that’s why.”
“That’s because there is more to this than just him being hot and me wanting to go. We work together, we’re neighbors and my daughters are joined at the hip with his niece. When it inevitably goes south, they’re the ones who will suffer.”
“It doesn’t have to go south,” Pippa offered hopefully. “Maybe you’ll realize there’s no chemistry.”
“There is,” I grumbled. “A truckload of it.”
“Maybe you’ll realize he’s just a pretty face?” Carlotta’s voice held even more hope.
“Nope, he’s kind and thoughtful and vulnerable. Even insightful.”
“How terrible,” Pippa shot back with a heaping dose of sarcasm. “Okay fine, if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, just agree to go back to normal.”
“After a requisite period of minimal contact,” Carlotta offered. “The urge to jump each other will be strong in those first few weeks.”
“And it’s just that easy?” Romantic relationships were never that easy, no matter how well-intentioned people were.
“Obviously not, but you’re both adults with children to think about. If they don’t get you to at least try, you have bigger problems than avoiding post-breakup nookie. And just in case you forgot, I already sent the message.”
“Pippa!” I moaned. “And to think, I was actually happy you returned to Carson Creek.”
She laughed and Carlotta joined in just as her phone chimed at her elbow. “Ugh bridezilla calls, so I have to run. Can you have someone bring my lunch by my office, Pippa?”
“Definitely. Thanks for the assist Carlotta.”
“Anytime,” she answered in a sing-song voice before she turned her attention to me. “If you need help picking out some date night outfits in line with your fashion sense, I’m happy to help.”
I nodded absently since suddenly everyone was an expert on my love life, as pathetic and nonexistent as it was.
Chapter 14
Trey
A pre-date.
What in the hell is a pre-date?
I had no idea. But Valona, allegedly, not only agreed to go to the Valentine’s Day dance with me, but suggested a pre-date so things aren’t weird in front of the girls. I was suspicious of the message, though I couldn’t say why, but Keri was next door visiting which gave me the perfect excuse to just drop by.
