“We just worry about you,” Keegan gave me a smile on their way out. “And I promise, we aren’t planning to ambush you with any blind dates.”
I gave Kieran a wave as he peeked around Nik’s shoulder to grin at me, before shutting the door behind them.
Running a hand through my hair, I grimaced. If Kendrick didn’t agree to my fake dating scheme, I was going to need to come up with a Plan B. Because there was no doubt in my mind that Keegan and Nik had invited Ruby from wrapping with the sole intention of fixing the two of us up.
I did not have a Plan B.
I barely had a half assed Plan A.
I would just have to do everything possible to get Kendrick to go along with my plan.
Balfour
Past…
Me:Why is your brother always so infernally happy? It’s fucking annoying.
Nemesis:He’s just always been a happy person. Nik does call him Sunshine for a reason.
Me:Well, I need him to stop. Make him stop.
Nemesis:Is he messing up your schedule again?
Me:Yes!! He’s started giving classes on gingerbread house making.
Nemesis:And this bothers you why?
Me:Elves are asking for time off to attend them! I’ve had to remake the workshop schedule three times this week.
Nemesis:This sounds like a you problem. Maybe you should take one of his classes. Might be good for you. Be around happypeople, learn how to smile. Are you afraid your face will crack if you actually smile? Is that why you never do it?
Me:I don’t know why I bother talking to you.
Nemesis:*laughing emoji* Yet you keep texting me. Again, this seems like a you problem.
Chapter Three
Kendrick
This is the last blind date I’m ever agreeing to.
Tearing off a corner of my roll, I nodded my head at my date’s monotone voice. He had been talking non-stop since I had met him in the lobby of the very upscale steak house forty minutes ago.
Normally, I considered myself a fairly attentive listener. However, today had been a roller coaster of wild kids, ready to get started on their Thanksgiving break. First graders were wild on any given day; add in the thrill of being off school for a coupleof days and it was no holds barred drama. The kids–and me–were all ready for this little break.
Then it was three more weeks as we coasted into the two-week Christmas break. And I was ready. Sooo ready. I needed to recharge and then I could go back and continue to mold little minds into future second graders.
My date paused, looking at me expectantly, for…something. Some kind of reaction to whatever he had just said. Popping a piece of my torn off roll into my mouth, I smiled brightly and said, with great enthusiasm I might add, “Oh wow!”
Apparently, my reaction was suitable and he nodded, continuing with his story.
Why had I agreed to this date again?
Oh, because my parents and what suddenly felt likeallmy friends, felt it was high time I settled down and got serious withsomeone. Anyone. It didn't seem to matter so much to them who, as long as it was someone. As evidenced by the alpha sitting across from me, a blind date fix up from my friend, Sadie.
I seriously needed to rethink our friendship if she thought this guy and I would make a good match. I mean, his name wasChad. Nothing good ever came from anyone named Chad. It was such a douchey name. I should have called the whole thing off based on his name alone.
He wasn’t exactly bad looking. He was older than me, which I didn’t have a problem with. It’s just that he was sorta bland and boring, and there had been absolutely no zing when I had seen him. Nothing when he had shaken my hand and stared into my eyes. Not one little zap.
