27 Dates: The Rainy Date (The Dating Challenge Book 9)

by B. N. Hale

  27 Dates

  Volume 9: The Rainy Date

  By B. N. Hale

  Text Copyright © 2018 B.N. Hale

  All Rights Reserved

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Excerpt from Volume 10

  Author Bio

  Chapter 1

  Kate trudged into the office building and pressed the button on the elevator. Yawning, she took it to the fourth floor and then wove through the maze of cubicles to her own desk. She sat down with a groan, causing Sara in the next cubicle to poke her head into view.

  “Rough night?”

  With glasses, freckles, and blonde hair, the girl was in the same engineering program as Kate, and they’d gotten the internship together. Both would have to arrive at 5:00 in the morning each Tuesday for the next eight weeks. It was just the second week and Kate was already hating the early hour.

  “Rough everything,” she said.

  “Are things not going well with Reed?”

  Kate smiled softly. “Great, actually.”

  Sara shook her head, making her ponytail dance. “I still can’t believe he hijacked your date.”

  “He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”

  “Sounds like you’re in love.”

  This time Kate kept her smile on the inside. “We’re just having a good time together.”

  Sara grunted, the sound reflecting a world of doubt. She rolled her chair out of her cubicle and into Kate’s. Then she folded her arms and waited. Kate smiled and turned her computer on, but Sara continued to wait.

  “I don’t know where it’s going,” Kate said honestly. “I just know I’m having fun.”

  “Then what’s with the groan?”

  “Our challenge has gotten out of hand,” Kate said. “It started small, but now it seems like everyone is involved. Every time I talk to my mother she gushes about Reed, and I never know if I can trust my roommates. We were up till one last night arguing about my next date and I kept wondering how much they were going to tell him.”

  Sara’s expression turned guilty. “We’re still your friends.”

  Kate heard the we and her eyes narrowed. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing,” Sara said. She attempted to roll away but Kate’s hand shot out and grabbed her chair.

  “What do you know?” Kate repeated sharply.

  Sara’s eyes sought for escape but there was none. They were the only ones on the floor this early, and the darkened offices and cubicles offered no salvation. Grimacing, Sara shook her head.

  “I know I’m supposed to give you a ride home from work today.”

  “Why will I need a ride?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “Honestly, I just know you’re going to need a ride.”

  Pleased she’d managed to get some information, Kate released Sara’s chair and leaned back. “At least I know he’s going to ask today.”

  “He’s really cute, you know.”

  “You met him?” she asked, surprised.

  “He caught me when I left work last Tuesday,” Sara admitted. “Asked for my help. How could I refuse such a romantic?”

  “You can’t,” she said, half disparaging, half admiring.

  Sara shook her head. “We all dream of meeting a guy like that and you meet him on a blind date. How do I get mine?”

  Kate laughed lightly. “I don’t know if he’s even mine yet.”

  “But you want him to be?”

  Kate didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  “Him,” she said. “He feels the same for me, I can tell, but something is holding him back.”

  “You think he’s lying to you?”

  Kate shook her head. “Why would he? He hasn’t even touched me. Usually guys lie because they want sex.”

  “Or they lie because they have something to hide.”

  “True,” Kate agreed. “But I don’t get the feeling he did anything wrong. I think regret drives him to date the way he does.”

  “So what does that mean for you?” Sara asked, leaning back in her chair. “Can you be with him if he has a secret like that?”

  “You think he’ll never tell me?” she asked. She hadn’t considered that possibility.

  “Everyone has secrets,” Sara said. “The question isn’t if they have them, it’s if you can live with them.”

  Kate considered her words until a door clicked open and one of the other assistant engineers entered. Yawning, the man strode to his office. The key clicked in the lock and then he shuffled out of sight. Sara gave Kate a searching look and then returned to her cubicle.

  Sara was always smart, both with people and with math. She wasn’t what most guys would consider pretty, making her prospects limited. In fact, she was exactly the type of girl Reed might have taken on a date. When she’d talked about finding a guy like Reed, her eyes had been wistful, a yearning that bordered on desperation.

  Is that what Reed saw? Is that why he dated as he did? She frowned, wondering if she could live with his secret, wondering if he would ever reveal it. Although Reed was an open book with everything else, he had yet to reveal his motivations.

  Throughout the day she struggled to focus on work, but her thoughts were dominated by the ramifications of Sara’s comments. Kate wanted to dismiss them but couldn’t, and by 2:00 pm she’d realized that as much as she felt for Reed, if he couldn’t reveal what held him back, she couldn’t stay with him.

  The certainty was sobering, and she realized their dates had been progressively more serious, exemplified by his kissing her cheek. Like two trains racing towards each other on the same track, they were bound for a collision.

  Sara appeared promptly at two. “Ready?” she asked, her tone betraying her eagerness.

  “Ready,” Kate said.

  She gathered her purse and rose to her feet. Although she’d been conflicted all day, a sense of certainty permeated her thoughts. She knew what she wanted, and knew she could no longer wait.

  As they walked to the elevator, Sara was jittery. Several times she’d looked out the window in an attempt to see Kate’s car but Kate had parked around the corner. They entered the elevator and Sara stabbed the button.

  “How are you not more excited?” she asked.

  “I am excited,” Kate said honestly, a flicker of anticipation sparking in her heart. “With Reed, everything is exciting.”

  “Does he have a brother?” she asked.

  “Only a sister,” Kate replied.

  “Why are all the good ones taken?” Sara lamented.

  Kate caught her eye. “We only say that until we find a good one.”

  The elevator pinged and they walked out of the building together. “You really think there’s one for me?” Sara asked, her tone doubtful.

  “Everyone has their match,” Kate said.

  Sara raised an eyebrow. “Does that mean you’re his match?”

  They came to a halt facing Kate’s car. “I don’t know about that,” Kate breathed.

  The parking lot had transformed while they were at work. Black paper and cardboard covered her car, making it look like a mine cart. Mine tracks stretched away from the wheels and entered a cave, also built from cardboard and wood. The theatre-level display transformed the corner of the parking lot into a gold mine, complete with glittering gold nuggets glimmering in the walls.

  “It just appeared,” a woman said to Sara, her voice awed as she took pictures. “I was out here
an hour ago and it wasn’t here.”

  The mine was quickly drawing a crowd, with dozens already gathered around, taking pictures and video. Sara spotted a chest hidden next to Kate’s car-turned-minecart. With the lid cracked open and light spilling from the interior, it begged to be explored.

  “Well?” Sara demanded. “If you don’t open it, I will.”

  Kate grinned and strode to the chest, drawing a shout from the swelling crowd that realized it was for her. She stooped to the chest and lifted the lid to find a map and a letter. She pulled it open and, at the urging of her colleagues, read aloud.

  “To a girl with a heart of gold, you deserve an adventure. I’ll take you to a mine of old, to a world of depth and treasure.”

  She smiled and swept her hand at the crowd. “It appears I have a date,” she called.

  One Reed was not prepared for.

  Chapter 2

  After enduring endless pictures by her work friends, Kate abandoned her car and rode home with Sara, who gushed about Reed’s romantic invitation. As they pulled into the driveway she shook her head.

  “If a guy did that for me I would do anything for him,” she said.

  “That’s not what he wants,” Kate said.

  Sara put her car into park. “Then what does he want?”

  “I intend to find out.”

  Sara raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  “I’ll let you know after the date,” she said.

  “I’ll be waiting,” Sara said.

  Kate grinned and exited the car. Waving to Sara, she made her way to the door and unlocked it, stepping inside to find the house empty. As she walked to her room she pulled out her phone and typed a quick text.

  My car was vandalized. Do you think I should report it?

  Reed’s response was quick. Savages.

  Kate giggled as she put her purse down and flopped onto her bed. Seriously. How did you set it up so quickly?

  We built it in pieces so it would be easier to put together, he replied, and then a moment later added, If it had taken too long you would have caught the setup before it was finished. Couldn’t have that, could we?

  I take it we’re going to a mine?

  Fair guess, he messaged. But there are a few surprises in store.

  She smiled and said aloud, “For you as well.”

  Why Saturday instead of Thursday? she asked.

  The location is a little far, so Saturday works better. You don’t mind spending a few extra hours with me?

  I’ll move a few things around. She said.

  Then I’ll pick you up at 10:00

  Looking forward to it.

  She smiled and put her phone down. Her bed was soft on her back, her pillow cradling her head. After the short night and the long day, fatigue overpowered her and she drifted off to slumber. She dreamed of Reed and exploring a mine, of what they would do when they were alone in the dark . . .

  When she woke it was already night, and she rubbed her eyes as she sat up, surprised to find how long she’d slept. She left her room to find Ember and Brittney sitting on the couch, both doing homework. They looked up at Kate’s entrance.

  “About time you woke up,” Ember said. “Don’t you have homework to do?”

  “It’s the first week of classes,” Kate said, sinking into a chair.

  “Dr. Kendric didn’t get the memo,” Ember said acidly. “I’m supposed to read four chapters by Monday morning, and I’m going out of town this weekend.”

  “Where to?” Kate asked, stifling a yawn.

  “Remember Simmons on the basketball team?” Brittney asked.

  Kate vaguely recalled he was one of Jackson’s friends. “The dark haired one?”

  Brittney smirked and stabbed a finger at Ember. “Ember asked him out.”

  “Really?” Kate asked.

  “Don’t sound so surprised,” Ember said. “You can’t have all the fun.”

  “What about the chess club guy?” Kate asked.

  “Still in the picture,” Ember said. “We are sort of dating, but he wants to take it slow—too slow. Which is why I’m taking Simmons on a date.”

  “She hopes to make him jealous,” Brittney said.

  “It’s a fair tactic,” Ember said.

  “Perhaps I should hijack your date,” Kate mused.

  Brittney laughed while Ember glowered. “Are you ever going to let that go?”

  “When you promise not to interfere like that again,” Kate said.

  “Can’t a girl look out for her roommates?” Ember asked.

  “You did take it a bit far,” Brittney said.

  Ember rounded on her. “You said it was the only way he would ever kiss her.”

  Brittney flushed, but before Ember could do any more damage Kate raised her hand. “While I’m grateful for the push, I’d like to handle it from here.”

  Both girls turned to stare at her, and Ember’s eyes turned calculating. “You have a plan,” she accused.

  “I do,” Kate said. “And I need you to trust me. You can help him when he asks, but no more inserting your own agenda. Agreed?”

  They exchanged a look and Brittney nodded. “I promise.”

  Ember regarded Kate for several seconds until retreating with a muttered, “Fine. But I reserve the right to say I told you so when he doesn’t kiss you.”

  “Deal,” Kate said, grateful for the ground she’d gained. “Now what’s for dinner?”

  Brittney perked up. “Cornbread waffles?”

  “Sounds delicious,” Kate said.

  Brittney set about cooking dinner and Kate joined her. As they bustled about the kitchen the door opened and closed, and Marta dropped her pack on the floor before taking Brittney’s seat with a sigh.

  “Please tell me I smell cornbread waffles,” she called.

  “With cheese and chili,” Brittney called back.

  “Who needs a man when you have Brittney’s food?” she asked.

  They sat down to eat and for the next several minutes talked about school, Reed, work, and everything in between. As they talked Kate realized that the initial euphoria of Reed’s creative dating had worn off, and it had become normal. They still giggled and talked about the pictures of her minecart car, but it was not with the same spark of shock the initial dates had inspired.

  She recalled something Reed had said recently, that guys could not pretend to be someone they were not, at least not for long. She’d wondered then how long one had to wait before a guy showed his true colors, and suspected that she’d crossed the threshold in recent weeks.

  She marveled at the change in her roommates. Prior to Reed’s appearance most meals were spent talking about work, school, and guys. When one of the girls had spent the night at a guy’s house they would talk about it for weeks, wondering where the relationship would go. Now Kate could not recall the last time they’d had such a conversation.

  Ember, by far the one most likely to spend the night out, hadn’t done so in weeks, and her conversation had shifted. Instead of lamenting the dogs she dated, she’d elevated her standards, and now seemed intent on finding a “keeper.”

  Had Reed influenced them all? Perhaps they’d just seen what Kate and Reed shared and wanted it, instinctively realizing that it required a different sort of perspective. Kate smiled as she realized her own perspective on dating had forever been altered.

  “What’s that smile for?” Marta asked, leaning back and sipping her beer.

  “Just thinking about what Reed has done to us,” Kate said.

  “To us?” Brittney asked, taking the last bite from her plate.

  “When’s the last time Ember spent the night at a guy’s house?” Kate asked. “Or Brittney complaining when guys don’t ask her out?”

  “I asked one out last week . . . oh.” Brittney smiled. “I see what you mean.”

  “I don’t,” Ember said with a frown.

  “He’s changing how we view men,” Marta said.

  Ember snorted in disagreement. “The
y’re still dogs.”

  “True,” Kate said with a laugh. “But you now think you can find a good one, don’t you?”

  Ember scowled. “Attributing my attitude to Reed is a bit of a stretch. I’m not the one dating him.”

  “I’m just wondering if he’s right,” Kate said with a shrug. “Maybe we do date wrong.”

  Ember grunted in irritation and stood. “His method works for him. Doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. Guys won’t call. They won’t show respect. And they will continue to rape and assault women.”

  Her voice rose with heat, surprising Kate with the sudden shift in conversation. “I’m sorry,” Kate said hastily. “I was just wondering out loud.”

  “Well don’t,” Ember said.

  She picked up her plate and dropped it into the sink with a clatter. Then she stomped to her room and all but slammed the door. In the ensuing quiet Kate shook her head. Ember always ran hot, but the outburst was uncharacteristic in their home. Then Brittney sighed and lowered her tone.

  “Remember when Gavin asked her out?”

  Kate recalled Ember talking about him a few weeks ago. “Did it not end well?”

  “She caught him trying to drug her drink,” Brittney said.

  “I bet she went nuclear,” Marta said with a grimace.

  “She broke his jaw,” Brittney said.

  “Why didn’t she tell us?” Kate asked.

  Brittney’s eyes settled on her. “She didn’t want to interrupt what you have going on with Reed. She won’t admit it, but it’s given her hope that she can find someone. But Gavin almost broke that hope.”

  Kate groaned and made to stand, but Marta caught her arm. “Let her calm down. Then talk to her. We all know she doesn’t respond well when she’s that angry.”

  Kate slowly sank back into her chair and shuddered. “I can’t believe he tried to rape her.”

  “We’ve all been there,” Marta said. “Some closer than others. It’s the world we live in.”

  “Doesn’t mean it’s okay,” Kate said, and thought of all her close calls.

  “We don’t all have Ember’s anger to defend us,” Brittney said quietly.

  “You mean you . . .?”