This is what I’ve been waiting for.
And with any luck, it might just be the real thing.
20
ASPEN
“Okay, everyone,” Nina says sweetly, her cheeks flushed pink as she looks around the room. Nina Amore, our favorite librarian in Magnolia Falls, has really kicked up the nightlife for the bookworms in the Lowcountry. From hosting a spicy book club to revamping the romance section and now speed dating, she’s definitely made this a hotspot. “If all goes according to plan, everyone will get a chance to talk to everyone tonight. Ladies will take a seat at their designated table, and the gentlemen will rotate when the timer goes off. Each date is five minutes and before you rotate, you’ll each answer the three questions in the app. That will calculate the most compatible matches.”
Nina beams at her fiancé, the man who puts book boyfriends to shame because Jay Parker isrealand he has set the standard. Even now, they’re sickeningly adorable as they moon over each other.
That level of affection has never been my thing, because my brother had been a heathen growing up so I’d never had the problem of bringing home a boyfriend. Montana had chased off every damn boy in Blackstone Falls and most of the surroundingcounties. So college had been my first real jump into the dating pool.
But I know Bristol didn’t have that problem. She sighs, the sound tired and morose. Phoenix and Talon had loved her late husband, Davis, and he remains a presence in all their lives.
Straightening in my chair, I remind myself why I’m here, because it sure as hell isn’t to find a date. It seems crazy that just a few weeks ago, when I’d agreed to this, Phoenix hadn’t even been a possibility.
Tonight though, I’d had to bribe him with the promise of a blow job. That particular negotiation had been made while I’d been riding his face and it was onlyafterI reminded him I’d only be going to support Bristol.
Needless to say, he still wasn’t happy.
“We can leave if you’re not ready,” I whisper because I’m nothing if not an enthusiastic getaway driver.
Her eyes are a swirl of emotion as they meet mine, hers a much lighter shade of blue than both her brothers.
“Davis used to look at me like that,” she says, referring to Jay and Nina, and I nod, reaching for her hand and squeezing. “And here I am about to pitch myself to some strange man like, ‘Hi, I’m Bristol and I’m a widowed single mom who lives with her brother and his fiancée and when he moves out my other brother will probably move in because we all have attachment issues and are way too involved in each other’s lives. Want to get a drink later?’”
I snort and squeeze her hand again. “Maybe just stop after your name, sweetie.” I wink. “Gotta ease ’em into it.”
Frightened eyes meet mine, and I know that even though she was trying to inject some levity into it, my friend is actually scared of admitting all of those things. “Aspen,” she whispers, and I squeeze her hand harder, not daring to pull her in for a hug.
“You are beautiful and strong and you just say the word and I will burn rubber outside these library doors like Magnolia Point has never seen before.” She chuckles, her fingers actively trying to crush mine as she blinks away her tears. “It is okay to have fun and be young and feel sexy.” Lowering my voice, I add, “It’s also okay to still grieve that you had such an incredible love and you’re now stuck at a speed-dating event withme,of all people.”
She laughs, swiping under her eyes and bumping me with her shoulder. “You’re thebestperson to do this with. Also, how pissed is my brother that you’re here?”
“There were some…negotiations,” I hedge and she snickers.
I’m saved from elaborating any further when we’re told to take our seats.
Taking a deep breath, I settle in and pray the next couple of hours will fly by.
“Stop looking at your phone,” Bristol hisses at me, and I wave the device at her.
“I’m responding to the questionnaire.”
“No, you’re not,” she chuckles as the next contestant—I mean man—sits down in front of me.
I have no idea how many guys I’ve talked to—four?Five?It doesn’t matter. There’s only one man I want and he’s currently sexting me—the jerk.
Is it getting hot in here?
Hi, I’m Wade. It’s so nice to meet you.
Bristol gives him a nervous laugh, but it’s not uncomfortable—it’s…giddy. Glancing over, I see her blush as she tells him her name, her smile anything but forced.
My heart warms at the sight because if the way she’s looking at him is interested, the way he’s looking at her is completely enamored.
I thankfully can’t say the same about the guy in front of me.
