“No,” I gritted. “This is only his first day here. Plus, I think he helps out at Carson Construction.”
“Did I hear someone mention Carson Construction?” Jacob asked as he walked up the expansive steps of the pool. His swim trunks hung low on his hips, and I tried not to laugh out loud at the looks on the other ladies’ faces.
“You got a girlfriend?” Mimi asked.
Jacob dried off his chest then hung the towel around his neck. “No, ma’am. I just moved here last week.”
“You want one?” Mimi asked. “I’m available most nights.”
Jacob laughed. “I might just take you up on that.”
“What’re you guys doing here this morning?” I asked exasperatedly. “You don’t normally stop by on a Monday morning.”
I missed Mom’s reply because Jacob chose that moment to sling his towel up over his head to give it a quick dry. The muscles in his arms flexed as he rubbed vigorously.
“Isn’t that right, Monica?” Mom said.
“What?” I asked, embarrassed to be caught ogling Jacob.
“I said we just stopped by to tell you your first date is tomorrow night.”
I sputtered. “I can’t go out on a Tuesday night. I have a painting class to teach.”
“Actually,” Mom said primly, “when Kieran was kind enough to call me back last night to tell me you were…” she glanced at Jacob and smiled appreciatively, “safe after showing your house yesterday, I told Kieran about your lost bet. She agreed to teach your class Tuesday so you could go out with Roger.”
I wasn’t sure what made me madder, the fact she told Kieran about the coerced bet or that she asked Kieran to get involved by teaching my class.
“It wasn’t your place,” I said.
“Nonsense,” Mom said. “We’re just making sure you don’t wiggle out from your obligations.”
“I still say Mimi cheated somehow,” I grumbled.
Mimi huffed. “I did no such thing!”
Ingrid whipped out her Saxe knife and started to clean her nails. “Don’t be a poor loser, dear.”
“And youcouldshow a little more enthusiasm,” Mom chided. “It wouldn’t kill you.”
I sighed. “More enthusiasm for a guy named Roger you paired with me because he’s practical. Oh, yeah, this is gonna be a blast.”
The ladies all tsked while Jacob watched our exchange with interest.
“I feel I’ve missed something significant here,” he said as he tied his towel low on his hips.
“I lost a bet I never wanted to wage,” I said.
“That’s right,” Mimi said. “She lost a bet to me and now her payment is she must go out with three men we’ve picked for her. Three men with attributes we believe will appeal to her.”
Jacob laughed. “And your first date is with Roger who will appeal to your practical side?”
I sighed. “Yep.”
“This is Monica’s first date since her husband died five years ago,” Mom said.
Surprise flitted across Jacob’s face. “Oh. Then I can understand why this might be hard for you.”
My heart fluttered. “Thank you. But at least they’re doing it slowly. Ya know, by having me go out with Roger the Practical.”
