ONE
Scarlett
“Do you think it’s okay?”I turn around for Harper one more time in the short black dress I’d pulled from the back of my closet. “I brought a second dress with me, just in case. Something more conservative. I was just thinking, it’s my birthday, so maybe something sexier you know?”
“Um, you look hot as hell. And exactly, yes. It’s your birthday, and Carter will die when he sees you in this.”
I haven’t been on a date in a while, too long really. With the museum losing its funding, moving all the collections into storage, and trying to find a temporary job while they prep the new building it’s moving into, I haven’t had a single second to think about anything that isn’t work. So tonight I’m forgetting about all of it and putting myself first for once. And maybe, just maybe, this is the first night of something new.
Carter’s a former coworker, and we’ve been meeting to catch up and talk about how he can help with the nonprofit Harper’s running with our friend Joss. But all the late nights chatting shop have led to drinks and other conversations. Including him confessing how he always had a crush on me when we worked together but didn’t want to make it awkward.
Cue Harper who is now happily dating Alexander “Xander XXL” Xavier, the defensive end for the Seattle Phantom, and wants to get everyone else coupled up just like her. Her matchmaking plot between Carter and me started the second she saw us flirting and culminated in her suggesting that we double date for my birthday. Only now I’m nervous as hell, but also strangely hopeful. As I turn one more time in the mirror, I feel the little whisper of butterflies in my stomach at the idea that I might actually have found a guy I like for once—one who has a ton in common with me, understands what I’m going through at work, and loves all the same nerdy things I do.
Butterflies that are absolutely crushed to dust when we get to the restaurant, and I walk down to the bar to grab a cocktail before dinner to calm my nerves. I run into Carter on the way and stop dead in my tracks. He has another woman with him, and her fingers are laced with his as she trails behind him.
“Scarlett.” He gives me a warm smile. “I didn’t know you’d be here. I guess it makes sense if it’s Harper’s birthday.”
“Oh um, yes,” I mumble, and I can feel my cheeks heating. I don’t want to correct him but the fact that he didn’t even realize it was my birthday we were going out for makes me want to die a little.
“This is Chloe, my girlfriend. Chloe, this is Scarlett, we used to work together at the museum. She and Harper have been working on some fundraising and I’ve been trying to see how the CRM firm can get involved.”
“So nice to meet you.” Chloe smiles brightly at me and shakes my hand.
“You too. They’re waiting to be seated. I’ll be right there in a minute.” I fake a smile in return and then start to walk away.
“All right.” Carter nods and the two of them take off toward the table, while I continue my way to the bathroom.
Forget wanting to die a little. I want to die full stop. Launch myself into a black hole of nothingness to never return or have to think about this again. But I think my only mildly sane option might be escaping out a back entrance and claiming sudden illness.
Except I hate to do that to Harper when she worked so hard to get these reservations for me. It’s a fancy new place with a waitlist that I’m fairly certain she had to namedrop to get to the top of. But we could eat here another day when things calmed down, and the four of them could have a lovely non-birthday dinner together. I just have to text her. I rustle through my purse trying to find which pocket I stuffed my phone in.
I could still have my own party tonight. Not completely waste the fact that it is my birthday. I could grab fast food on the way home and have a pity party for one. Crying into my milkshake about what an idiot I am for misreading the signals and watch a romcom that gives me false hope that the great guy I’ve always wanted is still out there somewhere. Sounds like a perfectly themed spinster thirtieth birthday party.
So Carter brought his girlfriend. I’m mortified, and I’m leaving just as soon as I pull it together. Just tell them I didn’t feel well.
Harper
WHAT?!
Just wait!
I’m coming to you
A momentlater Harper comes hurrying down the stairs into the bar area, looking like she might rip someone to shreds. Namely Carter.
“What the hell is going on? Who brings a date to a date?” She looks at me.
“Apparently, this guy. He brings his girlfriend.” The tears threaten to come but I manage to hold the dam back. Barely. “I’m so embarrassed. I must have misread everything.”
“Oh, Scarlett! Don’t cry. I’m sorry. I don’t think you misread anything. He was flirting with you—heavily. I have no idea what happened. We’re going to think of something. It’s not going to ruin the night. We’re still gonna celebrate your birthday. We’ll just have to figure out how to get rid of them.”
“I don’t want to be the fifth wheel to your double date or the third wheel to your date with Xander. I’d rather be alone then sit through that. No offense. I love you guys and I’m so happy for you, but I have enough existential crises on my hands at the moment.”
She sighs, staring down at the floor and shaking her head.
“I was clear it was a double date.”
“Well, he thought it was a double date with you and Xander. He also thinks it’syourbirthday.”
