“Don’t be. If I hadn’t been so determined to push her away, I might have known about him.” Something else that I needed to make up for in a big way. “So, can you help?”
“We can,” Sophie supplied hesitantly.
“But why should we?” Eva leaned in, resting her chin on her fist, ebony brows arched in question. “Why, Chris?”
“Because I realized that I want Tara, that she is exactly the kind of woman Lila and I both need in our lives. She’s strong and beautiful and doesn’t realize either of those things. She’s kind and sexy and funny even when she’s not trying to be. Lila already loves her and I think I could too.” It was more than I meant to share, especially with two women with love and marriage on the brain, but I was desperate.
“Wow,” Sophie said, practically swooning. “What a difference a few weeks make.”
Eva was less impressed. “Is this about your book?”
“No. It’s not.” But it was another thing I needed to tell Tara before she found out from someone else. “This is just about Tara.”
“Okay then. We’ll be in touch.” Eva spoke but she and Sophie wore matching expressions, sugary sweet smiles with mischief burning behind their eyes.
“That’s it? I come to you for help, the help you were so eager to give just weeks ago, and you’ll be in touch?”
Sophie stood and walked around the desk, her benign expression sparking worry in my gut. “Have you ever had to romance a woman, Chris? I mean, truly romance?” I thought it about but before I could come up with an answer, Sophie went on. “Not women who are already in awe of your handsome face or celebrity status, or even your writing prowess. Just a regular woman?”
“I’ve been married,” I told her sarcastically.
“And did you ever romance your wife?”
“No,” I admitted easily. “Cassie wasn’t the romance type unless it was jewelry or exotic vacations, designer clothes and shoes. I couldn’t afford it at the time so I didn’t do anything else.”
“And before that,” Eva asked with a lot less bite to her words this time around.
“No. I guess I haven’t.”
“Exactly,” Sophie said, her expression bright, the gears already grinding in her mind. “Romance takes time to plan and we need to figure out the perfect plan of action.”
“Action plan? Is that entirely necessary.”
“It is,” the both said at the same time.
“Okay, that’s getting creepy. Like young twins in an abandoned hotel creepy.”
Eva laughed. “Thanks.”
Sophie shrugged. “Great minds think alike, that’s all. We’ll call you soon,” she said simply.
“Don’t ignore our calls,” Eva said, her tone a very clear warning.
“I won’t.”
“Good.” Sophie stood when I did and put a hand on my shoulder. “In the meantime do some small things like send Tara flowers. Take lunch to her, or better yet, a picnic. Drop by just to lay a really hot kiss on her.”
I smiled and puffed my chest out as I thought back to that kiss in her kitchen. “I can do that.” And I couldn’t wait to taste her again.
Tara
I was running late. Again. Today it was my fault because I stayed too long at the community outreach desk trying to make sure no citizen left without at least a step towards getting their problems solved. If I couldn’t get out on patrol, which I really didn’t like, the least I could do was my level best for Pilgrim in any way I could.
So instead of being fully dressed and rushing out the door to meet up with Eva, Gretchen and Sophie for dinner at Carriage House. I wasn’t really in the mood but I’d put them off long enough that I no longer had a choice. My only hope was that they would give up on trying to match Chris and I, because it was hard enough reminding myself that it couldn’t work, no matter if he’d changed his mind about my dangerous job. I hadn’t.
“Not thinking about him today,” I reminded myself as I shimmied into my jeans and stepped into my favorite pair of red ballet flats that were worn in soft leather and super comfortable. It wasn’t as dressed up as the others would be, but I planned to take advantage of being off my painkillers by walking to Carriage House and enjoying a cocktail. Or two.
Dressed and slightly made up with my hair in something other than a basic ponytail, I locked my door and began the short walk to the restaurant just twelve minutes late. Sophie would hate it but I could still use my injury as an excuse, which I wasn’t above doing if it would distract them from attempts at matchmaking.
Fingers crossed.
Carriage House was busier than usual for a Thursday night when I walked in and I froze, hoping they hadn’t gotten me to show up for some Time for Love mingling event. But as I took stock of the dining area, I noticed it was mostly couples or small groups smiling and laughing. Enjoying a night out with the people who matter. One end of the bar was filled with old timers who showed up for Happy Hour specials and to watch football together while the other end was filled with hopeful singles who were very likely over the scene at Mayflower.