Jacob stared at me. “She’s just not the woman for me.”
Brody shook his head. “Weird, dude. And tonight’s date is supposed to have the same interests as you?”
“Yep,” Jacob agreed. “Not sure where they’re gonna find an adrenaline junkie around these parts, but I’m curious to see who they pick.”
I’m not.
The doorbell rang, and I slammed down my wine glass harder than necessary.
“I don’t want to do this,” I whispered.
Jacob gave my shoulder a pat. “Your mom goes through this every time.”
Brody grinned and took off for the door. “I gotta see who he is.”
I glanced up at Jacob. “I don’t want—”
He leaned down and kissed me. It was quick and hard, but I cherished it anyway. When he stepped back, he opened his mouth, but Brody sprinting into the kitchen interrupted his thoughts.
“Holy crap, Mom!” Brody bent over, laughing. “It’s the rug doctor!”
I sucked in my breath. “No!”
“Yes!” He grabbed hold of his stomach and sucked in air. “They think the rug doctor is your beau hunk!”
The doorbell rang again.
“Hush!” I snapped. “He’ll hear you.”
Brody flung himself onto Jacob’s shoulder, still laughing hysterically, as I pushed past them and hurried into the living room to answer the door. I could hear the two talking, but I tuned them out.
I opened the door and grimaced. It was, indeed, the rug doctor. So named because he loved to change his toupee about as much as he liked to change his underwear. One day he was blond—which wasn’t so bad because the rest of his natural hair was blond. Another day his hair could be brown on top, blond on the bottom. Tonight he was going for the silver fox look—silver on top, blond on the bottom. I guess he thought that might give him more bonus points since he was going to a senior center to dance.
If you take in the rest of his appearance, he really wasn’t all that bad. He had a decent body, almost-handsome face, and he always wore the best shoes. Which was sort of fitting.
“Hello, Monica,” he greeted, handing me a bouquet of flowers. “Don’t you look lovely.”
I looked down at my dress. I actuallydidlook somewhat decent. My little black dress cinched my waist and then dropped loosely to my knees. It was the perfect dress for dancing. When twirled around, it would flare out…giving me a sexy look, I hoped. I’d not only taken the time with my outfit, but also my hair and makeup. Even though I told myself it had nothing to do with the fact I’d see Jacob at the dance, I knew it was a lie. I’d dressed tonight for him.
“Thank you, Rug—I mean, Robert.”
“I’ll take those for you,” Jacob said.
“Oh, thanks.” I thrust the flowers at him, giving him my big eyes. I wanted him to go away, and take my still chuckling son with him!
“Brody,” Robert said, “is that you?”
“Sure is, Doc.” He thrust his hand out to Robert. “I just dropped in this weekend to see how Mom was doing.”
“Aren’t you a great son.” Robert’s eyes traveled to Jacob, still standing in the living room holding onto the flowers. “And you? I don’t think I’ve seen you around town before. Are you a friend of Brody’s?”
I bristled. “That’s Jacob. He’s renting out the cottage in the back. Jacob, this is Dr. Robert Footman.” I took a deep breath before adding, “He’s the local podiatrist here in Trinity Falls.”
Jacob’s face split into a grin, but I had to give him credit for not laughing outright. Most people had that reaction the first time they heard the doctor’s name and what he did for a living.
“How…convenient,” Jacob supplied.
Robert offered his arm to me. “Shall we?”
