The smiling, dancing leprechaunsI so lovingly taped to the walls earlier today are mocking me with their happiness. Why did I ever let Aspen talk me into filling out the paperwork for her dating program?
Sure, it was fun at first, imagining I would be matched with Dean. Even though I knew he would never fill out a dating questionnaire. Honestly, I’d only filled it out as a favor to Aspen since it was still a new feature to her company. I never gave it another thought after I hit send.
“What’s gotten you looking so grumpy?” Marigold asks when I set her and Esme’s Shamrockaritas, one of our St. Patrick’s Day special drinks, on their table.
As my two closest friends who are still single, I unload everything that just happened, from the dry humping behind the bar to the make-out session in Dean’s office to the unexpected date with Dawson.
“You were matched with Dawson.” Esme lifts her sour apple margarita to her lips—her words a statement and not a question.
Shit, I forgot Esme has a thing for Dawson, even though she has yet to officially tell anyone. It’s something in her eyes whenever his name is mentioned that gives it away.
“I’m not going out with him.” I wave my hands in front of me as if I’m surrendering, which is probably what I should do—forget any future I once envisioned since Dean clearly isn’t interested. Obviously, the make-out session in his office was just a fluke.That doesn’t mean I want to hurt Esme’s feelings by dating the guy she’s craving.
“No, really, it’s okay.” She places her glass back on the table, her tight smile revealing she’s lying. “Besides, tonight is Marigold’s night. I’m helping her plan Aspen’s bachelorette party.”
“That’s right.” I shift my gaze to Marigold, thankful to have something else to talk about than my date with Dawson. “Speaking of wedding parties, where’s the best man?” Like we even need to ask, wherever Marigold is, Wilder’s brother and best man, Warren, is likely to be.
“He’s at the bar talking to Dean.” Esme nods towards the bar. I don’t have to look to know Dean’s eyes are on me.
“I should probably get back to work before my boss punishes me.” A sudden vision of Dean bending me over his desk as he spanks my ass pops into my head.
How am I ever supposed to get over Dean if I can’t stop fantasizing about him?
***
“Ice skating is aperfect first date.” Aspen smiles, signing off on my selected date. “I’ll let Dawson know it’s all set for tonight.”
I spent the entire night tossing and turning, weighed down by my decision. In the end, I decided to follow through with Dawson. If nothing else, maybe we’ll become friends. I coulduse a few more friends since I think I’ve lost my friendship with Dean.
“Yeah, it should be fun.” The words sound hollow to my ears, but there’s no point in holding out hope that Dean will change his mind.
I place my hands on the arms of the chair and push myself up into a standing position with the intention of leaving Aspen’s office without crying over something I never had.
Before I take a few steps, Aspen stops me with her hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to go out with Dawson if you don’t want to. You can wait for another match if it’s too painful to go on a date with him instead of his brother.”
Pasting on a smile, I turn to face her and repeat the words I’ve been telling myself, “Dean is my boss. We are work friends.” Maybe if I keep repeating it, my heart will start to believe it.
“If you say so.” She removes her hand from my shoulder and lets me leave her office without saying another word. I walk out of her office like a woman heading toward her doom instead of a woman preparing to go on a date with a charming, sexy man.
five
Dean
It’s the first timein the seven years I’ve been fully in charge of the bar that I’ve called in sick—well, not exactly sick. I called my older brother, Dash, to cover the bar for me tonight.
Wilder texted me earlier today to let me know that Lainey and Dawson are having their first date tonight at the outdoor ice skating rink. The unopened bottle of whiskey sits next to me on the side table, the ice ball melting quickly as the warmth of the fireplace turns it into liquid.
My plan for tonight was to get drunk enough to completely block out all thoughts of Lainey on a date with my younger brother. Unlike now, when I close my eyes, all I see is Lainey and Dawson having their first date--their first kiss. The future kids they have after they get married, who call me uncle instead of dad.
A sharp knock on my front door snaps me back to the present. Before I can gather myself to get up from the chair and answer it, Dawson is already pushing the door open with an anxious look and holding a bouquet of roses.
“I can’t do it.” He slams the door shut, stomping into my living room. “I can’t go on a date with Lainey. I’m in love with someone else.” His confession makes me sit up straight in the recliner.
“What do you mean you're in love with someone else?”
“Esme from the flower shop.” He drops the bouquet on the coffee table, flopping down on my couch as he runs his hand through his hair. “If you could have seen her face at the flower shop when I bought the roses. She looked devastated. I wasn’t even serious when I filled out that dating questionnaire.” Hegives me a sheepish look. “To be honest, when Wilder asked me to fill one out, it was before I met Esme. I didn’t even answer the questions the way I normally would. Instead, I filled them out the way you would have answered them.” It takes a moment for his words to sink in—he didn’t match with Lainey—I did.
“Why would you do that?” There’s no anger in my tone, only confusion.
