‘You’re a psych major?’ Chuck huffs, rolling his eyes. ‘My ex was a psych major. She’s fucking crazy. If anyone needs therapy, it’s her.’
Mia glances at him, then turns back to me. ‘So what do you do?’
‘I’m a teacher. High school science.’
Her face lights up. ‘Me too! I mean, I used to be a teacher. I taught high school English.’
‘And you decided you didn’t like it?’ I ask, knowing it’s not for everyone.
‘I loved it! But when I saw how many of my students werestruggling with issues outside the classroom, I decided to go into counseling instead.’ She laughs a little. ‘I had already kind of become the school’s counselor by default. When anyone had an issue, they’d go to Miss Daniels.’
Miss.So she’s single. I guess I should’ve already known that since she’s at the singles table.
‘I’m going to the bar,’ Chuck says, getting up. He smiles at Mia. ‘What can I get ya?’
‘Nothing right now, but thank you.’
Chuck gives me a look like I better not try to take his girl while he’s gone. I ignore him. She’s not his girl. He just met her. And from the way Mia’s looking at him, I don’t think she’s interested.
‘Do you know him?’ she asks when he’s gone.
‘No, I just met him.’
She sighs and sits back in her chair as she watches Chuck walk to the bar. ‘I can already tell he’s going to be bothering me all night. Pressuring me to dance with him. Trying to get me drunk.’
‘I could help you out.’
‘What do you mean?’
Maybe I shouldn’t suggest this, but I really like this girl and don’t want Chuck ruining her evening.
‘Be my date for tonight. We’ll talk. Maybe dance. We’ll pretend to really hit it off so Chuck gets the message you’re interested in someone else and stops bothering you.’
She smiles and extends her hand to me. ‘Deal.’
As we shake on it and I look in her eyes, I feel something between us. A spark. Chemistry. A connection. Maybe all three.
‘Oh, and .?.?.’ She leans toward me, her hand still in mine. ‘That part about us pretending to hit it off? I don’t think we’ll need to pretend.’
My heart skips a beat and my smile widens. ‘I think you’re right.’
I might’ve just met the girl of my dreams .?.?. at the last possible place I’d ever imagine meeting someone. I’ve spent the past five years going to wedding after wedding for all my friends and never once met a woman, at least not one who’s single that I’d want to date. I assumed tonight wouldn’t be any different.
‘Do you live here in Chicago?’ Mia asks, reaching for her glass of water.
‘No, I live in Haydon Falls. It’s a small town in Wisconsin.’
She nods. ‘Yes, I’ve heard of it. My friend, Nora, goes there every fall for some kind of festival at an apple orchard. She said it’s beautiful and that people come from all over to go there.’
‘It’s my family’s orchard. And yes, it’s beautiful in the fall.’
‘Wait.’ She sets her water down and puts her hand on my arm. ‘Your family owns that orchard?’
‘Yeah, my dad started it right after my parents got married. My oldest brother runs it now, but my parents are still involved with it.’
She squints her eyes like she’s thinking hard, then pops them open. ‘Kanfield! Kanfield Orchard! Am I right?’
I nod. ‘You are. I’m Jason Kanfield.’
