We ALL?
My heart drops.
You, me ... and Hunter. Don’t hate me! He mentioned not having plans, so I invited him.
BAIT AND SWITCH.
My cheeks already pulse with hot anger justthinkingabout enduring an entire dinner with him.
He’s so lonely. I felt bad.
Won’t he be mad when he realizes I’M coming?
He already knows.
I don’t know what to think of that. My stomach twists into a knot.And he didn’t back out?
I might have told him you’re bringing a date.
WHAT?
BUT IT’S FINE—we’ll just say your date canceled last second.
THAT’S EVEN WORSE!!!
It’ll be fine! Gotta run! Mwuah!
I hate you.
I wait several minutes for the three dots to show up on the screen, but they never do. I’m going tokillher. I go back to washing the windows with a new vengeance, ignoring how sore my arms are from working triceps and chest with Talia this morning.
Finally, ten minutes later, my phone vibrates again.
I love you too. Trust me. It’s fine.
I inhale slowly and then exhale through my mouth, but my yoga breathing fails to calm me.
You’re right, it will be. Because if you told him I’m bringing a date, then I’m bringing a date.
The three dots show up immediately, but I ignore them, hitting call on Talia’s contact instead.
“Hey,” I say as soon as she picks up. “What are the odds that you can find me an amazing date ... by seven o’clock tonight?”
“Bytonight?”
“Yep.”
“Run-of-the-mill I can do on short notice, butamazing? That’s a tall order.”
“Hehasto be amazing,” I insist.
There’s a pause, and then, “Does this have anything to do with Lou’s cousin you were telling me about this morning?”
“It’s a long story. But, yes. Kind of.”
Talia sighs. “I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you! You’re a life saver!”
