They both shrug. But I have a pretty good idea of where this is headed, and it terrifies me.
Nonna stands up next to the paper and points to it, Vanna White–style. “This is how Sophie will get over that no-good ex-boyfriend of hers.”
Wes searches the room until his eyes fall on me. He tilts his head and raises one eyebrow, and I give him a small, embarrassed smile.
“There’re enough of us here that we are bound to know some nice single boys. We’re going to set Sophie up on a few blind dates, and by the time she goes back to school after the New Year, she’ll hardly remember what’s-his-name.”
“Griffin,” Jake supplies.
Nonna rolls her eyes. “Thank you, Jake.”
Oh. My. God. I’m about to crawl under the table.
“This is a bad idea,” I say from the back of the room, louder than I intended. “And I’ll be home by New Year’s. Mom and Dad are coming home for your birthday party. I already have plans that night!”
Obviously, those plans included Griffin, but I still can’t let this happen.
Nonna waves her hand in the air, dismissing my protests. “I already talked to your mama. They’re coming here for the party and staying the weekend, so you’ll be here for New Year’s Eve.”
This is not happening.
Papa walks into the kitchen, and I run to him. “Papa, Nonna has lost her mind. She’s going to make me go on dates. With guys I don’t know.”
Papa looks at Nonna with a twinkle in his eye. “Well, Nonna thinks of herself as a matchmaker. And I don’t go against her when she’s got her mind set on something.”
“Don’t I know it,” Uncle Michael chimes in. “Sophie, run while you can. She’s been trying to fix me up for years.” He’s the youngest of the eight kids and the only one who isn’t married.
“Michael, the last three men I tried to set you up with would have been perfect if you just would have given them the chance,” Nonna says. And then she spins around to me. “Sophie, this will be fun. Trust me.”
“This can’t be happening,” I mumble. I wish I could click my heels and be at Margot’s house.
“Can’t never could,” Aunt Maggie Mae says, then asks, “So how does this work?” She’s licking her lips.
This is guaranteed to end horribly if she’s involved.
Nonna chews on her lower lip. She’s obviously making up this nonsense as she goes. “No dates on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day…so that leaves ten free days for ten dates. The boys have to be her age. Oh! And you have to post the activity the morning of the date so she knows what to expect.”
“She doesn’t get to know their names?” Olivia asks.
“No. Then it wouldn’t be a blind date,” Nonna answers.
“So we can pickanyone?” Jo Lynn asks.
Charlie’s head pops up, his eyes finding mine. He’s shaking his head fast and mouthingEvil Joes, over and over.
“Do I even have a say in this?” I interrupt.
The room gets quiet and everyone stares at me. Nonna’s face softens. “Step outside with me for a moment, Sophie.”
I weave my way around bodies and toys and pray my face isn’t as red as it feels. Aunt Lisa squeezes my hand when I pass her.
Once we’re on the back porch, Nonna pulls me in for a hug.
“We don’t get to see you that often, and I hate you’re so sad and broken. I just thought this could be fun…like an adventure. It will give you something to look forward to each day. And even if the dates are a disaster, it will give us something to laugh about when they’re over.”
I pull away and look at her. “I feel pathetic. And I’m not ready to date anyone right now.”
Nonna chuckles. “I’m not trying to find your next boyfriend. This is just for fun. Trust me.”
