27 Dates: Spring Boxed Set: Vol. 1-7

by B. N. Hale

  “—and I never tried to rush a table. And I wasn’t fired, I quit.”

  “You dumped a plate on a customer’s head.”

  “He should have kept his hands to himself,” she said.

  “He was an attorney,” Kate reminded her. “You’re lucky you weren’t sued.”

  Ember’s smile was fond. “I’d forgotten about that. He threatened to have me thrown in jail.”

  “Why didn’t he?” Kate asked.

  “I took his fork and stabbed his steak so hard it broke the plate,” she admitted. “Then I told him that when I got out I’d find him and teach him how to use his hands.”

  Kate laughed at the image of an attorney in a thousand-dollar suit cowering before Ember. The girl barely topped five feet but she could frighten the hide off a bear. Kate was grateful they were friends.

  “One day your temper is going to come back to bite you,” Kate said.

  “Every girl has a spark of fire,” Ember said. “Mine just happens to be hotter.”

  Kate smiled and took another bite, wondering if it was her own spark that had refused Jason’s proposal. She liked to think she had a piece of Ember’s courage. Even a part would be powerful.

  They finished their meal and paid their bill to the now jittery waiter. Then they vacated the table for an impatient couple. When they exited the restaurant, they climbed into Ember’s jeep and drove home. Mercifully, Ember talked about her latest boyfriend, a guy in the chess club who had no idea the wrath he was about to incur.

  “He doesn’t seem your usual type,” Kate said.

  “You should see him in a turtleneck,” Ember said smugly. “He may be a nerd, but he works out like a wrestler.”

  “That sounds more like your type,” Kate said with a smile.

  “I’m taking him to a comic books shop,” she said.

  Kate frowned. “You’re taking him?”

  “I’d be getting social security by the time he asked,” Ember said. “I followed your lead and asked him out. Reed gave me the idea about the comic book store.”

  “Just how much do you two talk?”

  Ember shouted at a driver that was about to cut her off and then shrugged. “More when it’s his turn to ask, but I’ve talked to him a few times about dating. His thesis is really intriguing.”

  “You’re interested in psychology now?” Kate asked. “Since when did I step into bizarre world?”

  “Most of the guys I date aren’t exactly high quality,” she said, her forehead knitting together. “I asked him why and he told me I might be looking in the wrong place.”

  “He sent you to the chess club?” she guessed.

  “He dated a girl in the club and knew the members. He suggested I meet Tanner.”

  “Do you think I’m just a game to Reed?” Kate abruptly asked.

  “If that’s true, I’ll kill him.”

  “No need for that,” Kate said. “He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever known.”

  “True,” Ember said. “But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t made mistakes.”

  “Before we get to the beatings, can you answer the question?”

  Ember was silent long enough that Kate glanced her way, but the girl’s brow was furrowed in thought. She turned at a light, ignoring the honking car she’d just cut off and then accelerated down the street.

  “No one does this much work for a friend,” she said. “Even him.”

  “Then why do you sound uncertain?”

  “I don’t know,” Ember said, her tone annoyed. “I just wonder if he’s capable of dating just one girl. You must doubt it too, or you wouldn’t have asked.”

  “I know he’s attracted to me,” she said, imagining Reed. “I see it in the way he looks at me, the way he smiles, the effort he puts into his dates.”

  “Then what are you afraid of?”

  Kate watched the cars pass while she tried to get to the root of what bothered her. Every date with Reed cemented what she felt for him, and she suspected it did the same for him. But she couldn’t shake a nagging doubt.

  “Something drives him to date the way he does,” she said. “And I still don’t know what it is. I’m afraid he can’t let it go . . . even for me.”

  “He hasn’t told you?” Ember asked.

  “I think it has to do with a girl named Aura,” she said.

  “Marta told me about her,” Ember said. “What have you learned?”

  “You should consider a career in law enforcement,” Kate said. “You’d make a great cop.”

  “Too many rules,” she said airily. “Besides, the truth is easier to get if you . . .” Her eyes narrowed. “Is that why you did the truth game?”

  “Is that bad?” Kate asked.

  “It’s brilliant,” Ember said.

  “It wasn’t the only reason,” Kate said, feeling guilty. “But I did want to learn more about Aura.”

  “And?” Ember asked, pulling into the driveway.

  “He was in love with her,” Kate said.

  Ember braked hard enough that Kate slammed into the seat belt. “He what?”

  “She was his best friend for years but he fell for her,” Kate said, rubbing her chest. “It’s not like he’s cheating on her.”

  “Oh,” Ember said mildly, putting the car into park. “What happened between them?”

  “Aura fell for a guy that pulled them apart.”

  “That’s it?” she asked.

  Kate hesitated. “I don’t know. He talked about her with such . . . finality. I got the impression more happened than just losing a friend.”

  “Like what?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said.

  She wondered if she could voice her suspicion. The way Reed talked about Aura, all in the past tense, even in his text, when he’d said he hadn’t seen her in a while, suggested something more than just the end of a friendship.

  “I think Aura died,” she said.

  Chapter 2

  Ember stared at her, her expression almost a scowl. “You think Reed was involved?”

  “Not directly,” Kate said. “But I think he feels responsible.”

  They sat in silence for several moments until Ember abruptly shrugged. “He’ll tell you when he’s ready.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he’s falling for you,” Ember said. “Or else he never would have told you about Aura in the first place. A few more dates and he’ll tell you everything.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  “Then let me go after him,” Ember said.

  Kate laughed and they exited the car. As they walked into the house Kate shook her head. “You don’t need another restraining order. How many do you have now?”

  “Don’t knock my collection,” she said, flipping her red hair. “Everyone has to have a hobby.” She checked the time on her phone as she pulled out her keys. “You need to get ready. Jason said he’d pick you up at 4:00.”

  “That’s three hours away.”

  “Do you know what you’re going to wear?”

  “No,” she said.

  “Then you’d better hurry,” Ember said.

  “I don’t need three hours,” Kate protested.

  She was wrong.

  “He’ll be here any minute,” Marta said.

  “Stall him,” Kate said, trying to finish her makeup.

  “You sure you don’t need more eye shadow?” Brittney said.

  “You know I don’t like makeup,” Kate said.

  She actually hated it, but endured the face altering creams, goops, and powders when necessary. And tonight it was definitely necessary. Still, she was pleased she’d kept it to her subdued style, just enough to enhance her natural features.

  “Just a little more—” Brittney began.

  “No time,” Ember said.

  “Thank you,” Kate said, grateful for her support.

  “Doesn’t mean Brittney’s wrong,” Ember said, disappearing from the doorway.

  Kate scowled, ne
arly poking herself in the eye with the eye liner. It had taken all of two hours to choose an outfit, one that satisfied all three of her roommates. The remaining time had been swallowed up by showering and doing her hair. The afternoon had been a blur of flying clothes and standing in front of the mirror.

  “At least you look great,” Marta said.

  “That’s because it’s your top,” she said.

  “It should be yours,” Marta said. “It looks better on you.” She smiled and left, leaving Kate alone in the bathroom.

  Kate put the eye liner down and stared at her reflection. Marta’s top was a stunning green that matched Kate’s eyes. The sleek material folded and tied across one breast down to her waist, where it wove into an artistically placed fold. The top accentuated her trim form while highlighting the curves of her chest and hips.

  She wore her own jeans with Ember’s belt, a wide black one that hugged her waist. Brittney had contributed the tie in her hair and the shoes, both of which were black. Kate had wanted to wear her sneakers, but she been overruled by her roommates.

  “You have to look stunning yet unattainable,” Ember had said.

  “He has to regret ever letting you slip through his fingers,” Marta agreed.

  “He must forget every girl he’s ever known,” Brittney said.

  Kate had begun protesting when Marta got home from work, but the blondes had all but forced her to strip and try on another outfit. Little remained in the closets, and piles of discarded clothing now rested on the beds.

  “Flawless,” Ember said when Kate stepped out in her current selection.

  “Agreed,” Brittney said.

  Marta checked her phone. “He should be here any minute. You should have started getting ready earlier.”

  “Told you,” Ember said.

  The doorbell rang, startling Kate from her thoughts. She finished the eye liner and then stepped into the living room, shooing her roommates away so she could get the door herself. As she reached for the handle she steadied herself with a deep breath, and then swung the door open.

  Dressed in stylish jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and jacket, Jason stood on her porch for the first time in over a year. His blond hair was combed neatly, his blue eyes sharp and clear. With a chin like a block of concrete, he was every bit as gorgeous as she remembered.

  “Kate,” he said, and smiled.

  “Hello, Jason,” she said, and stepped into his open arms.

  His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. She breathed deep of his scent, a combination of leather from his car and his favorite cologne. The warmth of his chiseled chest enfolded her, eliciting a surge of memories that left her reeling.

  She swallowed and reminded herself that they were not together. Then she extricated herself and looked up into his eyes. His smile was soft and inviting, but he spared a look into the house.

  “Ember, Marta, Brittney,” he said, his voice slightly less warm.

  “Jason,” Ember said, folding her arms.

  “It’s good to see you as well,” he said. “But we’d better get going if we want to make our dinner reservation.”

  “We’ll see you later,” Brittney said.

  “Don’t be out too late,” Marta added.

  “I won’t,” Kate said, shutting the door on her roommates.

  As they walked to the car his arm twitched like he wanted to hold her hand. He covered by pulling out his keys and pushing the button to unlock the car. He followed her around and opened her door.

  “You’re more beautiful than I remember,” he said.

  She paused behind the door and met his gaze. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  He laughed and waited for her to get in before shutting the door. He went around and got in, the mustang purring to life as he keyed the ignition. Then he eased the car onto the road and headed downtown.

  “How is your conference going?” she asked.

  “Great,” he said. “A handful of the med students were picked to go, and I was one of the lucky ones.”

  “Does that mean you’re doing well in school?” she asked.

  “It’s hard,” Jason said. “But I like the studies. I’m thinking of going into pediatrics.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “A pediatric doctor?”

  “What’s so funny about that?” he asked.

  “You had enough going for you as a doctor,” she said. “Now you want to be a doctor for kids? You might as well scream perfect.”

  “Not perfect enough,” he said.

  She fell silent and looked away, uncertain as to the turn in conversation. Jason chuckled sourly. “Sorry. Seeing you has brought back a lot.”

  “For me too,” Kate said quietly.

  “Have you been dating?”

  “Off and on,” she said evasively. “You?”

  “Not really,” he said, his expression adding, not since you.

  She cleared her throat and changed the subject. “What are your plans tonight?”

  “Olive Garden,” he said. “It was always one of your favorites.”

  She smiled, but found herself disappointed, her thoughts turning to the island dinner with Reed. The Italian food had been delicious, but probably not as good as her favorite restaurant. Still, she knew which had been more fun. Going back to Olive Garden somehow felt like a step backward.

  “How’s your school going?” he asked.

  “The usual grind,” Kate said, distracted. “I hate calculus, but love the applied classes.”

  “Everyone hates calculus,” he said fervently.

  He accelerated through a yellow light, and she said, “I see you still have your car.”

  “I don’t have the heart to sell it,” he said. “Even though my parents offered me a new one.”

  The Mustang had been a gift from his parents at his graduation. Both were doctors, one in radiology, the other a surgeon. Kate had imagined a life with Jason, visiting his parents, Jason’s father stitching a cut on their child.

  “How are Donna and Theo?” she asked.

  “Getting a divorce,” he said.

  “Really?” she asked, shocked. “They were always so happy.”

  “I thought so too,” he said, his voice tight. “I found out a couple of weeks ago, but they’d been separated for months.”

  Kate looked out the window at the lights of downtown Boulder, shaken. She wondered if marriage was even possible anymore, or were all relationships doomed to fail. Marta’s parents were still together, as were Ember’s. Brittney’s mother had died from breast cancer and her dad remarried.

  She glanced at Jason and saw the tension in his shoulders. Drawn to his pain, she reached out to touch his arm. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I do know how you feel.”

  “When do you stop hoping for them to get back together?” he asked.

  “I never stopped,” she said.

  He shook his head as he pulled into the Olive Garden. Then he parked and turned off the car, but remained in his seat, his shoulders hunched. After several moments he looked to Kate, his expression stricken.

  “My dad cheated on my mom for years.”

  Kate reached over and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Jason had always been strong, but now he seemed fragile, as if another blow could break him. She’d never seen him so crushed.

  “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  “I just don’t understand,” Jason said, his voice muffled through her hair.

  Kate had no answers. She remembered a weekend with Donna and Theo. They’d been kind and fun, but looking back she recalled a lack of affection, of missed opportunities when they could have held hands, of glances without emotion. Abruptly Jason retreated and gestured to the restaurant, his smile forced.

  “How about we skip the heavy talk and just enjoy dinner,” he said.

  “I’d like that,” Kate said.

  He smiled. “Me too.”

  It seemed he wanted to say more but then turned away and got out of the car. Kate watched him wa
lk around, wondering if she’d made the right choice in coming, and wishing her heart would just decide.

  Chapter 3

  He came around the car and opened her door, and then walked her to the restaurant. They’d eaten at the restaurant many times in their time together, but she hadn’t been back since they’d broken up.

  Everything looked exactly the same. The smells were a delicious mix of olive oil, bread, and pasta. She breathed in and smiled, relishing the surge of memories, of them eating their favorite dishes, of kissing in his car, of what followed when they got back to his apartment …

  She shook herself and looked at the chalkboard listing the specials. As Jason gave his name, the girl at the counter stole a look, her eyes traveling up and down Jason’s body. Kate also noticed a passing waitress staring. Jason had always drawn attention, much to her amusement and consternation, but she was surprised to still feel a twinge of jealousy.

  “Your table is ready,” the girl said warmly, guiding them to a booth at the window.

  “Thank you,” Jason said politely, his smile causing her to turn a shade of pink.

  They sat at the booth and Kate put the napkin on her leg. “You still have the same effect on girls.”

  He smiled. “It’s the shirt.”

  “It’s not the shirt.”

  His smile faded and it looked like he wanted to say something. Then his jaw tightened and he said, “Do you know what you want to order?”

  “I haven’t been here in a long time,” she said. “Of course I want my favorite.”

  “Me too,” he said. “Breadsticks.”

  She laughed lightly. “You always ate them all.”

  “I shared,” he said indignantly, and then added. “Some.”

  “You hoarded the basket until you had to ask for more,” she reminded him.

  “Only once,” he said.

  “Twice,” she replied.

  He smiled but his reply went unvoiced when a server appeared. Apparently the new girl had been warned of Jason’s presence and her gaze lingered on him as she took their order. Jason smoothly ordered for Kate as well as himself, something he’d done through much of their relationship. This time Kate found she didn’t care for it, especially when he asked for wine for them both.