Chapter Nine
Scarlett
Leaning forward, I swipe some lip gloss over my heart-shaped mouth, run my fingers through my hair, and attach some cute gold earrings. Now I’m ready for my second date of the day.
The guy I’m going out with on this date, I met on the app Swipe Rite. I can’t believe I’m resorting to an online dating app, but a friend actually recommended it to me—someone who met her husband there, and they seem happy. I even like him. He seems nice, but it feels weird. My mom is a judge, my dad is an attorney, and my brother is a DA. If they ever knew I was meeting strangers on the internet, they’d either disown me or never let me out of their sight.
But I did do my research on this guy, and he seems normal—decent, even. His background check came up clean. He’s an architect at a company in town and has zero criminal history besides a parking fine. Because while I might not be my parents or my brother, I do have a strong sense of self-preservation, and if I’m going out with a stranger, I’m going to do a background check.
Luckily, when I texted Lilly, my best friend, about matching with someone on Swipe Rite, she knew who he was through a mutual acquaintance. She promised me that he is nice in person and assured me I would probably hit it off with him. I figure I need to meet as many men as possible to narrow down my choices.
Lilly is my little fairy godmother when it comes to helping me find true love. She’s a romantic at heart and is sure there is someone for everyone.
I don’t know if I believe that myself because that would mean my person is hiding really well.
My phone chimes with a text from Wade.
WADE
You ignored me earlier.
SCARLETT
Did I hurt your feelings?
WADE
I think you’re a class-A stinker, Scooter.
SCARLETT
You don’t want to know what I think about you right now.
I grin as I send off that last text.
WADE
What are you doing tonight?
SCARLETT
Going on a date.
I pocket my phone and grab my purse, ready to go meet my date. I finish with a gloss spray on my hair and opt for paper bag shorts and sandals with a light sweater in case it’s chilly when I get home.
While I love my bike, sometimes it’s nice to be able to walk places. It’s easier to keep my clothes from wrinkling if I’m not sitting on a bike seat.
Because my date is really into reading, same as me, he asked if I’d like to meet him at Novel Notions. It’s a cute little bookstore right around the corner from The Serendipity. I have to limit the frequency of my trips, because otherwise I would spend all my time and money there.
As far as first dates go, it’s a brilliant spot.
Maybe this is the guy.
It’s a pleasant evening for a stroll, and I leave from the side exit out of my apartment. I don’t want to get stuck talking with someone in the building, and luckily, I have my own private exit from the basement. The concrete stairs dump me in the pocket park right next to The Serendipity. It’s a quiet little park with a few benches and some nice plants. I don’t even know who manages the park, but I like leaving this way when I’m not feeling very people-y. I need to save my rudimentary conversation skills for my date.
When I walk into Novel Notions, I scan the area and don’t see my date anywhere. I let out a breath and make my way to the display table. I always enjoy seeing what the bookstore recommends. I tend to lean toward historical fiction and autobiography, but I spot a fantasy book series on the display table.
The covers are beautiful. Maybe I could have them sit on my shelf for a while until I’m brave enough to read them.
My phone chimes, and I set the book down to read the text.
PHOENIX
Wade told me you’re going on a date.
SCARLETT
I’m on a date.
PHOENIX
Where?
SCARLETT
You’re too far away to come crash it. :P
PHOENIX
Oh, please. I haven’t ruined ALL of your dates. But seriously, if you need me, I could turn the 2-hour drive into 30 minutes.
And that is why I love my brother. He might be a nosy pain in the butt, but he really does care about me.
The door jingles, and in walks my date. He looks similar to his profile picture but a little older than I originally thought.
He’s wearing a striped blazer and dark brown pants. He glances around the bookstore then smiles when he spots me.
“Hi, there. I’m Nolan,” he says as he walks up to me and greets me with a hug. On closer look, he’s got to be almost forty. Nothing wrong with that…but it is a pretty big age gap.
Age is just a number , I remind myself. I’ve never given thought to what age I’m comfortable with. I guess it depends on how we hit it off.
“How are you?” I manage to say despite my surprise.
“Great, now that I’m seeing you in person!” He smiles and adjusts his jacket. “Am I what you expected?”
I open my mouth to reply, trying to figure out the right thing to say. “I think it’s always better to wait to meet people in person before you form an opinion.”
He nods. “A wise choice.”
“Thank you.” I laugh. “So what was the last book you read?”
“It was a book on small architecture. The Rise and Fall of the Tiny Home Movement . ”
“Oh, wow. Huh.” I try to sound interested. I guess that makes sense if architecture is his career. “Was it interesting?”
“It was fascinating,” he says as he starts to walk toward the non-fiction section. “In fact, I wanted to look for something else by the same author because it really had me thinking about the future of small homes and what will make them attractive to buyers in the long run.”
Well, he’s not bad at all. A conscientious architect who cares about how his work affects the future? Maybe this is the benefit of dating an older man.
I smile and follow him to the non-fiction section, where he proceeds to talk about some of his other favorite books.
The door jingles, and I glance over my shoulder to see who’s walked in. The woman sitting at the service counter still hasn’t looked up from her book. I admire her ability to tune out the world.
The man closes the door behind him, then turns to face the inside of the store.
My shoulders tighten, and I narrow my eyes at the intruder.
Wade shrugs his shoulders and walks in as if I should have been expecting him. Maybe I should have. Now I have some serious suspicions on how he knew where I would be.
“Scarlett!” he exclaims loudly. Walking toward me with his arms in the air like he’s going to bear hug me. “What are you doing here?”
He even sounds surprised to see me.
Nolan turns around. “Who’s that?” he asks softly as Wade weaves around the tables.
“He’s a family friend,” I grind out as Wade envelops me in a hug. Somehow his arms are everywhere, and I feel like I’ve been swallowed up. His shirt is soft, and it smells amazing. His hug is so forceful, he lifts me off the ground a couple inches .
His scruff tickles my ear as he whispers to me, “This guy’s old enough to be your dad.”
I flop my hands against his back, trying to get him to let me go. Anyone else might think I’m just patting his back, but we know better.
When he finally steps away, I narrow my eyes at him. “What are you doing here, Wade?”
“Just looking for a good book to read. I didn’t mean to interrupt you.” He turns to shake Nolan’s hand. “I’m Wade. Scarlett’s like family, and I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
Nolan’s eyes go wide, and I shake my head at this ridiculously threatening display from Wade.
“Have a nice night, Wade.” I speak each word with an extra bit of annoyance specially crafted for him.
He steps back and holds up his hands. “I’ll let you two have some time. Have a great night!” He walks to another set of bookshelves whistling “Hot to Go . ”
He looks so comfortable perusing the shelves, as though he’s been in here a million times. Maybe he has. It’s been a long time since I’ve discussed books with Wade. Maybe he’s still a reader.
Nolan doesn’t seem fazed by Wade’s interruption and goes back to talking about architecture, his work, and his favorite books.
My face starts feeling a little stiff during his discussion of deconstructivist architecture.
I glance over his shoulder and see Wade watching us while he pulls some books from the shelf.
“Hey, Scarlett! You should read this one!” He holds up a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People .
I stare at him without giving him the satisfaction of a reaction. Nolan looks back to see what Wade is holding. “Oh, that is an excellent book. Life-changing. You should buy it and see all the good it brings!”
“What about this one? Maybe you could move out of the basement,” Wade suggests as he holds up Think and Grow Rich .
“You live in your parents’ basement?” Nolan asks in surprise.
Not even remotely close to what Wade said. “Something like that,” I manage to say, because I can’t think of a quick enough retort. I’d like to say something witty and cutting to Wade, but my mind is a blank haze of frustration.
“Is this the book you were talking about the other day?” Wade calls to me from a couple of shelves over.
I look at the title he’s holding. IBS: Don’t Let Gas Stop You from Living Your Best Life .
If looks could kill, Wade would be getting his own chalk outline on the Novel Notions floor.
Wade beams at me like he’s just won the lottery. He’s ridiculously happy to be this obnoxious.
Nolan looks at me with concern. “Oh, I didn’t realize.”
“Feel free to ignore him,” I tell him. “He doesn’t know how to behave in public.”
Nolan smiles. “You’re right. Now, what has been catching your eye today?” He waves a hand around the bookstore as though it’s his kingdom to give.
I walk back over to the table and pick up the fantasy books I’d been eyeing. “Have you read these?”
Nolan scowls when he sees what’s in my hand. “No, of course not. Why would I waste my time with those? If you’re going to read, it should be for self-improvement.”
I freeze at that. “And what would you consider self-improvement?”
“Self-discipline, finance, fitness.”
Well, that sounds boring. But I don’t say it .
“So you don’t read any classics, even?” Wade asks as he walks over to the table.Now he really is stepping in. He’s not even pretending to accidentally be in the same store.
“Nothing of the fiction variety. It doesn’t lend to growth,” Nolan says with a shrug. “My wife likes to read mysteries, and I don’t see it adding anything to her life.”
I jerk my head to look at Wade. Did I just imagine what Nolan said? But even Wade looks stunned, so I probably heard him correctly.
“Did you just say wife ?” I ask him stiffly.
“Yes, I know I should have told you up front, but I thought maybe it would be a better conversation in person.” He rocks back and forth on his heels.
“The conversation about your wife ?” I grit out.
Wade steps closer to me, and I can’t believe he’s here to witness this part of the date. He’s already sufficiently ruined it…but this? This just makes me look bad. I checked his criminal history, not his marital status.
Nolan shrugs. “We’re separated right now, so you don’t have to worry about cheating or anything. We’re on a break.”
I set the fantasy book back on the table. I’ll have to come back to buy it. Right now, I need to flee the scene before I commit a crime.
“Wait! Don’t you want to talk about it?” Nolan calls after me as I reach the door.
“Nope!” I say as I shove the door open, the bell jingling as I hurry down the sidewalk.
I hear a set of heavy footsteps behind me, and I pick up my pace.
The footsteps match mine.
I glance back and see it’s Wade following me.
“I am not in the mood.” I grind out the words as I march around the corner. I hurry toward The Serendipity.
Wade simply follows behind and stands on the sidewalk, watching me walk up the stairs and unlock the main front door. I don’t even say goodbye. I hurry downstairs to my apartment and wonder if now is the time to bang my head on the wall.
He did it again. Ruined a perfectly fine date. Witnessed my bad luck in men.
I grab the milk from my fridge, spin around, and slam my hip against the island counter. It’s like somebody stabbed me with a knife. The pain shoots all the way down to my toes. I’m going to need a hip replacement from this.
The milk jug is on the floor, with milk seeping out from the closed lid. I’m amazed it didn’t splatter everywhere.
With a resigned sigh, I pick up the jug and get out the bucket for my mop. As I dejectedly soak up the milk, I wish Wade would step on a LEGO.
Nothing life-changing or harmful. Just something to annoy him as much as he’s annoying me.