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“So, you wouldn’t care if either myself or your mom started seeing people?”
He shrugs, his eyes back on the TV, another cookie about to enter his mouth before I snatch it away. “You’ll ruin your dinner. Answer my question, please. This would involve you, too.”
“Like I said, I’m cool, Dad. Just want to see you happy.”
I crinkle my eyebrows. Am I unhappy? Does it show that much? You say you’re all right with it now, kid, but if it actually happens?
Sighing, I ruffle his hair before standing. “Well, I don’t plan on picking up any chicks at this speed-dating thing. I’m only doing this to get your aunt off my back.”
“Whatever you say, old man. Hey, where did Mom say she was going again?”
I snag my wallet off the table near the front door, shove it into the back pocket of the nicest pair of jeans I own and point to his shoes to show we need to go, and watch as he rolls his body off the couch and lumber toward me. “She said she had some things to do on the new center, so she’s working late. She’ll be here tomorrow. Come on, if you hurry, you can play with Milkdud before it gets dark.”
* * *
Rather than delay the inevitable,I blow out the breath captive in my chest and enter Java Drip.I’m early, but I want to scope out the scenery before this thing starts. The comforting scent of baked goods and roasted coffee grows stronger as I step up to the metal counter. I hated coffee until I became a parent. Now the smell of ground beans and caramel syrup sets my senses on fire before the caffeine hits my system.
The change in menu items on the blackboard above our heads trips me up until I locate the diabetes-inducing drink I always get. Mikey, the barista, takes my order and I dodge customers to sit in the farthest seat in the corner, trying to shrink into the vinyl cushion as far as I can go.I swear to God if I fucking run into someone I know here, I’m ducking out the side entrance.Savy can suck it up and stay out of my love life.At least they picked the Bozeman Java Drip location and not Engelmann.That would’ve been a hard no, and I’d never hear the end of it.
My order’s ready, so I grab it and slink back to my corner.More people shuffle in, looking so hyped up. They should avoid the complementary caffeine and stick to decaf.
A statuesque woman in a romper jumpsuit ensemble with her brown hair in a poufy updo, rounds each table with her clipboard and pen, presumably checking us in.Here’s my chance. I can either stay or go.Tapping and sliding my fingers on the wooden surface, my leg twitches with the desire to flee.Just as I move to stand, someone plops down in the seat in front of me, a wave of orange blossoms and bergamot perfuming the air.
Shit. There goes my moment. Not wanting to be rude, I paste on a smile, hoping it’s genuine.
“Thank God, someone who looks just as uncomfortable being here.Name’s Rowan Cooper. Call me Row.” She’s breathless and holding out her hand for mine.I arch an eyebrow and take it, shaking it up and down before releasing.
“Greyson Lee. Nice to meet you. Is it written all over my face?”
Her springy dark curls bounce with her laughter.She’s definitely cute, her warm brown skin glowing under her flower-printed blouse, but she’s a little young for me.I’d say fresh out of college.Why does she need to speed date?Seems like she wouldn’t have trouble meeting anyone.I suppose I said the same thing about myself.
“Yeah, like a deer in headlights.Don’t worry, it’s pretty painless.Three minutes and then on to the next.”
“Three minutes? That’s it? I take longer shi—never mind—uh, how are you supposed to get to know someone in three minutes?”
Rowan laughs again, her kohl-rimmed eyes dark as rich soil glitter.“That’s the whole point. It’s seeing if you can find a small connection, a spark you can’t deny and want to explore further.”
I relax in the chair, slinging my arm over the back.“Seems you’ve been to a lot of these.Am I wrong? Not finding thesparkyou want to find?”
“Not yet.” She winks and glances behind her shoulder at the person in charge of this shindig.“It’s about to start. Good luck, Greyson.I’ll see you soon.” She slides out of the seat and grabs a coffee before checking in with the lady clutching the clipboard.
A spark, huh? The only flame I have is for a five-foot six blonde bombshell who wears red lipstick teasing the shit out of me, making my dick hard without even meaning to.It would be a miracle if anyone else in this establishment makes me sink to my knees and plead for a chance.But, what the hell, I’m already here, might as well sample the goods—except I’ll be leaving alone.Heaven forbid Theo walk in on that.No thanks. Good ole “Palmala” will have to do for now.
After checking in, I use the restroom to get out all my nerves before heading back to the main area.We’re arranged in a manner to transition easily once we start.Men sit on one side of the tables, ladies on the other.
A buzzer sounds and ricochets in my chest as I take the first seat.My palms sweat and I wipe them down on the top of my jeans before looking up at the first woman of the hour.Rowan’s immaculate black eyebrows arch in amusement and I huff out a laugh.“Hi again.”
“You look nervous. Just relax.”
“How many of these things do you go to?I’m thinking once is enough.” I swing my gaze around at the full tables before coming back to her.
“Consider me a pro. A connoisseur of sussing out diamonds in the rough.”
I smirk. “I’m only here because my friend—well, she’s my sister-in-law—thought I was lonely.”
“Are you?” She eyes me like a hawk, those dark eyes about to steal my soul off the hot pavement.
I sigh and lean back in the chair, fiddling with my now empty coffee cup. Can’t believe I’m having this conversation with a virtual stranger.“Depends on what your definition of lonely is.”
