Chapter 10
ten
Wayan
“Hey, Wayan. I’m glad I ran into you. Fern’s been off work the past few days, but I found the perfect match for you. She lives right here in Temptation Ridge. I set up a date for tonight.” Aspen says as we stand in front of the bakery.
I shift my gaze to Wilder, who, of course, is standing right next to Aspen. “Yeah, I dropped off your questionnaire for you the other day, since Aspen said you hadn’t dropped it off yet.” The look in his eyes is daring me to contradict him.
“Oh, yeah, thanks,” I mutter. “But I have plans tonight.” When I left Fern’s place this morning, we made plans to meet her at her house so we could finish watching Die Hard, since we didn’t get to finish it yesterday.
“I’m sure you can change them.” Wilder glares at me. I can’t blame him, as far as he knows, I agreed to give up Fern and focus on finding a match with Aspen’s company.
“Yeah, I can change them.” I reluctantly agree.
“Perfect!” Aspen claps her hands. “Her name is Sara. She’ll meet you at the Tipsy Tavern at seven p.m. sharp.”
We say goodbye and go our separate ways.
Deciding to rip off the band-aid, I call Fern, “Hey, Fern. I’m going to have to push our movie back to nine thirty if that’s not too late for you.
” I feel like a piece of shit for doing this to her, but I don’t know how else to get my brother off my back and still spend time with Fern.
“No problem. I can make us a late supper.” Her cheerful tone almost guts me.
“You don’t have to do that. I’m meeting my brother for dinner tonight.” And just like that, I bury myself deeper into a hole.
“Okay, see you at nine thirty.”
We end the call, and I can’t help wondering if I’ve made a terrible mistake.