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We’d eaten half a chicken with our hands—apparently silverware had yet to be invented—slurped soup from a goblet, and washed it all down with Knight’s Nectar, which I was pretty sure was Squirt mixed with melted grape Popsicles.
By the end of the show, soft lighting illuminated the space, and we stood.
“So what’s your deal anyway?” Emma’s eyes raked up and down my torso as though she was trying to figure me out.
“My deal?”
“Yeah, your deal. Word around town is you’re desperate for a date.” She laughed. “Who would have thought? Lee Sullivan, desperate.” Another snort escaped her nose.
“I’m not desperate.”
She stifled a laugh. “If you say so,” she singsonged. When I wouldn’t give her any more information, she rolled her eyes. “Fine, have your secrets. Annie wouldn’t tell me why she was setting us up either.”
As we wound our way out of the theater, Emma took time to bow dramatically at the other patrons, and I couldn’t help but feel it was like taking an older version of Pickle out on the town. She was fun and good for a laugh, but as far as a romantic connection—zero.
Not happening.
Still, Emma was quirky, and we got along great. If I wanted to get out of the gala’s date auction, enduring one more night with her wouldn’t be a hardship. We could go as friends.
Thoughts of Annie swirled in my mind. We’d done plenty offriendlyactivities together, but somehow attending the gala with her on my arm felt too close. Too real. The growing, decidedlynot-friendlythoughts I’d been battling would be too much, combined with the inevitable spark to Outtatowner’s gossip mill.
Outside the theater, the cool coastal breeze fluttered Emma’s dress. I reached for her hand. “Lady Emmaline, would thou do me the honor of attending the Matchmakers' Gala?”
I lifted my mouth into a smirk and brought her hand to my lips. Her other hand moved to her chest.
That’s right. Good ol’ Lee Sullivan charm.
“Oh, Lee.”
I straightened and smiled.
Emma frowned. “No.”
My brain stopped. It wasn’t often I was turned down for a date. “No?”
Emma’s laughter filled the night air. “Hellno.”
I looked down at her and she laughed again. “I’m sorry. That was rude. No, thank you, good sir.” She paused. “Wait. You’re not actually taking this date seriously, are you?” She looked up at me with pity. “Oh, honey, this is just a favor for Annie. You slept with my sister ... and my friend Tina.”
I dragged a hand through my hair, the familiar prickle of shame washing over me. “I don’t know what to say. I’m not really like that anymore.”
Was I?
“Well, I sure hope not.” She waved a hand between us. “But don’t stress about it. They had nothing but wonderful,amazingthings to say about you. In fact, my sister called you the perfect gentleman, which is saying something, because she is a notorious man-hater.”
I smiled. “Thanks, I guess.”
Together we made our way toward Emma’s car. “So tell me why Annie insisted I go on a date with you?”
I looked at Emma and really took her in. She was cute and smart and funny—and also a little bit wild, which would always keep things interesting. She was Annie’s friend, and that meant something to me.
Why the hell not?
“Annie and I are trying to get out of the auction, which was why I was kind of hoping that you’d be my date to the gala. That way I wouldn’t be up for bidding. I can show you a nice time.” I put both hands in the air. “No expectations, no funny business. I’d love to take you out again, as friends.”
Emma snorted and laughed. “Still no. I’m sorry, I can’t.” Emma reached forward and dropped her hand on my forearm. “It’s nothing personal, I swear. It’s just—I don’t know—Ilovethe auction.” Her voice grew wistful. “Yes, it’s old fashioned, and yeah, there’s a chance that Stumpy Larson might outbid someone for me, but I don’t know.” She lifted a shoulder. “I’m hopeful this year. I like the idea of the dating battlefield being taken out of my hands.” She raised both of her palms to the night sky. “I’m leaving this one up to the universe.” Emma grimaced as she looked at me. “And the Universe is telling me I shouldn’t go with you.”
I pressed my lips together and nodded, trying not to laugh. “Fair enough.” I looked around, unsure of what to do or say after such a thorough rejection. “Is there anything I can do to help? Anyone in particular you’ve got your eye on? I can put in a good word for you.”
