She lifted her brow. “You’re absolutely sure?”
I hesitated, then answered, “Yes.”
How old am I?
What am I getting myself into?
Her assertion that I wasn’t adventurous had me sort of pissed—mostly at myself— because she was right. I really couldn’t back out now. Even though Nancy and I had been playing games like this since we were kids, it wasn’t exactly cute anymore as adults. But when she put her mind to something in order to prove a point, she didn’t let up. It was partly why she was such a good lawyer. Not sure if it was because Rex ruined my day for the umpteenth time, putting me in a shit mood, but for some reas
on, I just didn’t feel like letting her win this time.
Wanting to get it over with, I asked, “So what’s my torture going to be?”
She closed her eyes for a bit. “I’m thinking. It has to be good…something that I truly don’t think you’ll actually do.”
Now she was really getting on my nerves. Whatever it was...I was going to have to go with it—just to prove her wrong.
After a minute of whatever weird meditation thing she was doing to concentrate, she finally said, “Okay. I’ve decided what it is. But you’re lucky, because I’m going to let you choose part of it.”
“Explain.”
“I want you to kiss a stranger. Someone in this coffee shop.”
What?
“Are you kidding me?”
“Not at all…but you’ll get to choose who it is. I’m not that cruel to make you kiss just anyone.” She whispered and nudged her head. “Like him.”
The old man next to us had grease from his egg sandwich dribbling down his chin.
Knowing she wouldn’t back down from this idea, I sighed and muttered, “Fine.”
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you?”
I gritted my teeth. “Fine!”
“Great. Who’s it gonna be?” Nancy’s eyes wandered around the room, then landed on someone in the corner. “Yes.” She beamed. “Ohhhh, yes. Yes. Yes! Today is your lucky day. I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed him sooner.” She squinted. “Doesn’t look like he’s wearing a wedding ring, either, so score.”
I braced myself, then turned around to see whom she was looking at.
She had to be kidding me.
The distinguished-looking, dark-haired man sitting in the corner was drop-dead gorgeous, dressed to the nines in a three-piece suit that looked like it was tailor-made for his perfect physique. His nose was buried in The New York Times. It was a perfect nose that complemented his perfect jaw-line. Have I mentioned he was perfect?
This guy would laugh in my face!
There was no way I was going to embarrass myself in front of him. The choice had to be a happy medium…someone I wouldn’t mind making a fool of myself in front of—but he also couldn’t be hideous.
“Okay, who’s it going to be?” she said, looking down at the time on her phone. “I think I’m going to run to get some Christmas shopping done since Rex bailed. So let’s get this show on the road.”
My eyes perused the room.
The young mom in the corner with her baby? Nope.
The teenage barista boy? Um…pretty sure I’d get arrested.
Oh my God.