I opened my mouth to decline but couldn’t find a reason. In fact, the longer I processed Snarl’s words, the more they made sense. As awkward as it may have been, I actually enjoyed myself the other night. And, although he may have been a biker, Snarl seemed like a gentleman with a good sense of humor. He was also very easy to look at.
I leaned against my desk. “Youwant to take me dancing?”
“Yes, ma’am. Very much so.”
“Line dancing at the Saddle Rack?”
“That was the idea, yes.”
After one more moment of hesitation I caved. “Seven o’clock sharp. I’ll meet you there.”
“I look forward to it,” Snarl replied in a tone that made my insides melt a little.
The second we hung up, I grabbed my keys and the last two boxes and made a mad dash for the Red Rider. I drove home in record time and practically hurled myself into the shower. The last date I’d been on was seven months ago, which may or may not have been the last time I’d shaved my legs.
After doing my makeup, I chosean outfit through a selection process that went something like this… “I look horrible in everything I own, in fact I look horrible in everything, I guess these jeans will do, at least I don’t look like a complete sewer rat in them.”
After rushing to get ready, I found myself with fifteen minutes to spare before I had to leave for the Saddle Rack.
Time to call Granny.
“Well, hello sweetie. What a nice surprise,” Granny answered, in her normal cheery tone.
“Don’t you play sweet and innocent with me, old lady,” I said.
“Heavens, what do you mean?”
“Why in the world would you fix me up with a biker?”
“Oh, good. Is Snarl taking youout?”
“Tonight,” I said curtly. “We’re going dancing, and I think I’m gonna throw up.”
“You’ve always been such a good dancer,” Granny said.
“I haven’t danced since my last ballet class when I was ten years old,” I grumbled. “But that’s not the point. Why did you fix me up with a biker?”
“I didn’t. I fixed you up with my friend, Snarl.”
“Who happens to be abiker,” I replied.
“Yes, but that’s not why I put the two of you in the same room.”
“Then why?”
“Because Snarl is a good man with a good heart. He’s loyal, he’s protective, he’s good for a laugh, and if youdidn’t notice, he’s a total hunk.”
I let out an inelegant snort. “Okay, but why me?”
“Because, despite your sense of adventure, you play your love life far too safe, sweetie. You’ve put your studies first, which is wonderful, but you’ve also put them second and third as well and that’s not so great. Life comes at us quickly, Lennon, and if finding a partner is in your cards, you could do a lot worse than a man like Snarl.”
“Snarl the biker?”
“Snarl, the man,” she corrected.
“He’s more than a man,” I retorted. “He’s at least part beast.”
“Sweetheart, you’ve always been great with animals, but you don’t know people. Snarl understands people because he’s an animal. Now, you just go out on that dance floor and let him teachyou some moves. You’ve been in charge of every move you’ve made over the past six years. Perhaps it’s time for you to let someone else lead for a change.”
