“Well, it’s a good thing I’d never ask you to join one ofthose.” Amelia puffed up in indignation. “My land, girl. You should know me better than that. It’ll be fine. I’ll see to it. And if we need my Micah to beat someone up, I’m sure I can arrange it.”
Rae burst out laughing. Amelia’s husband was a giant of a man with a grizzly beard. He could have been a senior version of an online wrestler. Except he was the most gentle, tender-hearted person Rae had ever met. Each Christmas, he and Amelia would watch all the Hallmark Christmas movies, and Micah would bawl even worse than his wife. Every single time.
“I’d like you to get some experience in the dating scene before Jason finally asks you out. He’s so handsome I’m afraid once he really puts on his charm you’ll fall for him before you’ve had a chance to see what’s out there.”
“You and Dylan.” The corner of Rae’s eye twitched, and she rubbed her temples. “Jason’s not going to ask me out.”
“He’s calling youlovenow, isn’t he?” Amelia shot her a knowing glance. “He always starts that before he asks a girl out. It could be any time now.”
Rae frowned. She didn’t want confirmation of her own concerns.
“How do you know I’d go out with him if he did?”
“Because he’s so hot he melts the paint in any room he walks into.”
“Amelia!” Rae stared at her friend.
“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a fine-looking man. The important thing is Jason knows how to treat a lady.”
“But he never gets serious with anyone.”
“Which is why he’d be perfect for you to go out with a few times. You did say you’re not interested in a relationship, right?” Amelia asked. “Jason’s not his reputation. He’s a good guy and won’t push the boundaries you set. I promise. I know you’re not a hook-up kind of girl. It’s time for you to get used to going out again.”
The woman was at least partly right. If Jason did ask Rae out, he’d be the perfect person to spend an evening with. She’d enjoyed talking to him before he’d started flirting with her.
“What dating site do you have in mind?” Rae asked.
Before Amelia could answer, a light knock on the door made Rae glance at the clock. She jumped to her feet.
“That’ll be Dylan.”
“Hey,” he said when she opened the door, “how was the little dude?”
“He was a sweetheart as usual. How’d your test go?”
“I got an A!” He threw his arms wide, and she stepped in to give him a quick hug.
“See,” Rae said, stepping back. “I was right you didn’t have anything to worry about. Amelia’s here, and she brought over some cookies.”
“Really?” Dylan glanced over Rae’s shoulder, his expression turning wary.
“Congratulations on your final,” Amelia said. “Now come and eat some of these cookies. Rae told me you’re always starving after class. We’re doing something I think you should be involved with too.”
Hesitantly, he took the seat across the table from Amelia while Rae got a glass and some milk.
* * *
Dylan foundit difficult to push back his unease at finding Amelia at Rae’s. Wasn’t it enough that Mr. G. had dropped that unimaginable offer right before a difficult final exam? What new complication was coming Dylan’s way?
“We’re going to set up Rae on the eRapport dating site,” Amelia said as she slid the plate of cookies closer to him. Rae took the seat next to Amelia, who added, “I’ve heard good things about this one while I’ve been helping my daughter enter the dating scene again. We should do the same thing for you, Dylan.”
He inhaled some of the milk he was drinking and started choking.
“My thoughts exactly.” Rae glanced at him, her expression both resigned and sympathetic, and handed him a napkin.
“Look, I’m just figuring out how to be like a dad to Jayden,” Dylan said when he could speak. He tried to avert his head so Rae wouldn’t see the questioning look he sent to Amelia. She winked at him. Wasn’t she supposed to help him to sabotage Rae’s dates, not set him up to go out on some too?
“You’re in the same situation as Rae. You both need to have lives outside of the ones that revolve around work and your kids. And don’t you both look at me like that. You know me better than to think I’d suggest you ditch the kids so you guys can go out and party.”
