The second we were through the community center door, King and Wilder were on us. I laughed as they squeezed me between them.
“What took so long?” Wilder grumbled.
I pressed my face into his neck, breathing in deeply. “Did you miss me?”
“So much, sweetheart.”
“I missed you, too,” King said, sounding incredibly disgruntled as he tried to steal me away from Wilder.
I spun out of their reach. “No fighting over me. I have to get in there and find a date.”
I laughed as their growls followed me into the main room.
Tables were set up in a horseshoe shape. Some attendees were at a coffee station in the corner, but most were already seated. There seemed to be an unusually high number of firefighters in attendance.
“We have to get things started.” Leo’s arms surrounded me from behind and I leaned back into his firm chest.
“I guess I’ll find a seat, then.”
King crossed his arms, a glint of murder in his eye. “Or you can stay here with us.”
“But where’s the fun in that?” I laughed as I headed to the tables, making sure to add an extra swing in my hips.
Ezra caught my eye and gestured at the empty chair across from him.
“Hey, Lucy.”
Before I could respond, Leo called everyone to attention.
“Welcome to speed dating night.” The sweet florist glared at Ezra as he spoke. “We’re going to get started.”
He nudged King, who sighed and started reading off a piece of paper in a dull monotone. “We are thrilled to have you all here tonight. Love is like a song’s gemstone.” He turned to Leo and Wilder. “Who the fuck wrote this?”
“Just keep going,” Leo urged.
“We invite the wisdom of the universe into this room to ignite sparks of loving mystery…Okay, no,” King said, shaking his head. I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing. “Here’s what we’re doing. Everyone has five minutes to talk. After the time is up, the gong will sound. If you’re on the inside line of the tables, stay where you are. Ifyou’re on the outside edge, you’ll move one spot to the right. Everyone got it?”
Wilder, whose expression looked exactly like Felix when he was denied dessert, hit the gong.
Ezra choked out a laugh. “This is priceless.” He pulled out his phone and snuck a picture of his boss. Wilder caught him and flipped him off, but when his eyes landed on me, his face softened.
I blew him a kiss.
“Everyone clear on what’s happening?” King asked. “Okay. Go.”
I turned to Ezra, grinning. “I think they have a future emceeing events.”
The firefighter shook his head. “At least the boss didn’t have to speak. He might have to string together two whole sentences in a row. I’m pretty sure he got through an entire shift last year with just grunts.”
Hmm. Wilder certainly couldn’t be described as chatty, but he talked plenty with me.
“What are you doing here? Is it firefighter night or something?”
Ezra’s eyes glinted with mirth. “Nah, but a little birdy told us the boss was leading speed dating night and we had to see it for ourselves.” He leaned in across the table. “Also, we have a betting pool.”
“Betting on what?”
“On when you and the boss will make it official. So if you could hold off for another two days, that would begreatfor me.”
