Page 32 of About That Pact

“The whole point of Tinder is to swipe left or right to find someone. Some people may find someone to be serious with, but from what I understand, it’s used for hook-ups. Reggie would love it.”

“Reggie did say a blind date was too old school for him,” Lance said thoughtfully. “Is a blind date sufficient enough for you?”

A blind date he could do. There wasn’t anything to commit to, and after a dinner, he could walk away and be done with it.

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“The date is already scheduled for this Saturday at seven. You are meeting her at The Richmond. Her name is Sienna, and she’s lived here for about a month.”

“Who knows her? How is she part of this?”

Lance’s voice was sharp. “I’ve known Sienna since high school. When I found out she was moving to the area, I thought this would be good for everyone. She gets to meet someone, and we get an article.”

“You sure about this? What if she wants to marry me after one date? I don’t need a clinger.”

“She won’t.” Lance’s voice was clipped.

Interesting. Lance rarely got pissy with Rafe.

“Fine, but I feel like an idiot for going on a date with my boss’s friend from high school. This better not be a trap.”

“Shut up and go on the date,” Lance snapped back.

They got off the phone, and Rafe sat in silence. It wasn’t like he hadn’t dated before. He was the king of casual. Now, though, the idea of charming one woman on a blind date while he wanted a future with a different woman felt creepy.

What harm could one date do?

THE RICHMOND WAS the embodiment of a date spot. Low lighting, intimate seating, private tables. They ordered their appetizers and were waiting for their first course of food. He was looking forward to his crab cake and shaved squash salad. This restaurant was all about the experience, so there was no rush.

This would have been the perfect date night…if Charlotte was with him.

Not that Sienna wasn’t nice, but conversation was difficult to come by. It was almost as if they both wished they were sharing dinner with someone else.

“How are you liking the city?” Rafe asked. He had to talk about something or there would be no article to write. Unless he spun it like he had gone on a date with a mime.

This was the fifth question he’d asked her. So far, her answers had been minimal, and she’d followed each short response with checking her phone. His feelings would have been hurt if he’d actually had interest. At this point, he only had to get through dinner and then write why blind dates were complete shit.

Her glossy black hair was clipped at the nape of her neck, yet she constantly went to push her hair over her shoulder.

“It’s fine,” she responded, then typed something in her phone.

What a waste of his time. Fuck finishing dinner, this wasn’t worth it.

Their server placed their appetizers on the table and quickly left to give them some privacy. Rafe pulled her harvest salad with a pear vinaigrette toward himself so she had no choice but to look up at him.

“If you didn’t want to come, why did you agree to do this? Lance said you were new in town and this would help you meet people.” Rafe put it all out there.

She put her phone down. Finally. “Lance has no idea what I need in my life. May I have my salad back?”

He pushed it toward her, and now, it was his turn to use his phone.

I need favor number four. Meet me at The Richmond ASAP.

Within a few minutes, his phone buzzed with Charlotte’s response. I can be there in thirty. You owe me. I was reading.

He was relieved she didn’t have other plans.

On a Saturday night…