Here’s another low-pressure first date idea... You could invite Molly to go to a party or gathering at which both of you will know people.She sent the text, then tapped her phone against her chin.
Could Molly be Bridget, who worked at the art gallery? Shay and Connor had chatted with her when they’d stopped by the other day. Shay had detected some shy interest on Bridget’s part but hadn’t detected anything unusual in Connor’s behavior. That didn’t mean Bridget wasn’t Molly. Bridget was darling in an “I’m an elf fromLord of the Rings” way. Connor and Bridget shared an appreciation of art. No doubt, Bridget would think Connor was a prodigy and Connor would be grateful to date someone who thought he was a prodigy.
She, Shay, thought he was a prodigy!
Her phone pinged with his answering text.After our ice-skating fiasco, I hope you can agree that I’m going to need more practice at selecting and executing good dates. My friend Andrew invited me to an ugly Christmas sweater party at his house tomorrow night. Is that the kind of thing you think Molly would enjoy?
I can’t speak to Molly’s tastes. But I can tell you that I think parties are a good bet, so long as she’s familiar with some of the people who are going. Is it Andrew Covington who’s hosting?
Yep.
Like her, Connor had gone through middle school and high school with just a couple of very close friends. Like her, it appeared he’d retained them to this day. Andrew had been their gangly salutatorian and now had his own small IT business. He was the one she’d hired for all Papery’s tech needs.
I don’t want to impose on your time, Connor wrote,but would you be willing to go to Andrew’s party with me for an hour or two? I’d like a chance to prove to you and myself that I really am ready for this.
She smiled, warmth circling like glitter in her chest. She had an event at church on her calendar, but she could easily miss that.Do you have to grit your teeth in order to survive ugly Christmas sweater parties?
As a rule, I don’t enjoy dressing in embarrassing clothing, as you may have noticed the day of the stretchy pants. But Andrew’s promised that there won’t be embarrassing games or forced caroling. It’ll be low-key. Just food and talking to people. So I don’t think I’ll have to grit my teeth to survive.
In that case, my answer is yes.
•••
Once again, Shay was seeing him at less than his sexiest. His sweater readDachshund through the snowand had a picture of a dachshund wearing a Santa hat on the front. It was the least hideous one he’d been able to find. But it wasn’t great. How were you supposed to bring your A game with a woman when wearing aDachshund through the snowsweater?
Her sweater was much louder than his. Made to look like a Christmas tree, its bright green fabric had actual tinsel and ornaments hanging off of it. She wore matching Christmas ornaments as earrings. But, of course, the laws of the universe dictated that she’d look adorable and confident in her sweater. Which she did.
Christmas music, bursts of laughter, and the conversation of the guests ebbed and flowed around them like the tide.
“There’s an art to attending a party with a date,” she was saying to him.
“I’m all ears.”
“If it seems that Molly isn’t comfortable with you leaving her side, then by all means, stay next to her as you mingle. But if she becomes engrossed, for example, in a conversation with one of her friends, it’s perfectly cool to give her space. There’s sizzle in meeting the eyes of someone you’re attracted to from across the room.” She pointed to the food and drinks. “Say you go get a holiday drink. While you’re there, you could lift a cup and ask her wordlessly if she wants one. Or you could be talking to guys fifteen feet away and give her a secret smile.”
“To be honest, I don’t know what a secret smile is.”
“It’s the kind of smile you give someone when you share a secret. In this case, the secret you share is that you like one another and that the night holds fabulous potential.”
“Not sure I can convey all that with a smile.”
“Like so.” She glanced up at him out of the corners of her eyes, lips tilting. Their gazes locked for only a split second before she looked away, but the contact packed power.
Need stole his breath.
“I know several people here,” she continued, “so how about you go hang out with your friends and we’ll practice? If at any moment Molly—in this case me—looks like she’s been stranded, excuse yourself and return to her. But if it looks like she’s having a fabulous time, then don’t feel obligated to do so. On the other hand, don’t stay away from hersolong that she thinks,Why did he invite me here? He’s not spending any time with me.”
His head spun. “I see what you mean about this being an art form. Just... not the form of art I’ve mastered.”
“Which is why we’re taking this on a test run.” She moved off, easily finding people to chat with. Around town, she was well-known and well-liked. Much more so than he was.
Connor crossed to Andrew. At first it felt awkward, trying to do all the things she’d mentioned. But he soon realized it wasn’t hard at all. He was crazy about Shay. Whenever he’d been in a room with her for the past sixteen years, his attention had strayed to her. So he’d just let it do what it wanted to do.
Sometimes when he looked her way, she didn’t meet his eyes. Which was fine because at all times he could tell she was doing great. She wasn’t stranded. When their gazes did intersect, he felt the warm jolt of it like a physical touch.
In time, he returned to her, and she excused herself from her conversation to pull him to the side of the room.
“How did I do?” he asked.
