“It’s been six months since you and Jessica broke up.”
Christian groaned. Here they went again. “Jessica and I aren’t getting back together. I know you guys liked her, but—”
“It’s not about that. We’ve given up on that. But maybe it’s time for you to start dating again.”
He scoffed. “Even if I wanted to date”—which he didn’t—“I doubt I’m going to meet someone in Little Grove.”
She gave a nervous smile. “You don’t need to worry about that. I already took care of it for you.”
He stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“I signed you up for an online dating site.”
“You did what?” he said, louder than he’d intended.
Lori’s chin dipped. “Don’t be mad. It’s not a big deal. People use dating sites all the time.”
His little sister had officially lost her mind. “Yes. People who are looking for dates join dating sites.” He jabbed a finger at his chest. “I, on the other hand, am not looking. Why would you sign me up behind my back?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Mom wanted me to set you up with someone, and she was driving me crazy. And honestly, I thought it wasn’t a terrible idea, but I didn’t know anyone.”
He shook his head and picked up his pliers. Single. No strings attached. That was also part of his business plan. He’d been with Jessica for three years. Like everyone else in his life, she’d thought leaving his secure engineering job to start his own camping equipment line would be irresponsible. She’d hoped he would grow out of it. She’d been furious when he told her he planned to quit his job, and she refused to accept his decision. He’d never wanted to hurt her, but that was when he knew he had to end things between them.
Now was his chance to do what he wanted with his life. Selfish or not, doing things his way for once felt great. “I hope you didn’t waste too much time or money signing me up, because I’m not using a dating site. Now, back to more serious matters, do you want to camp out in the back yard with me tonight?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know your neighbors think you’re crazy. Camping in the back yard is only normal when you’re ten. Besides it’s supposed to rain.”
“Exactly. I’m testing out my new two-person pop-up tent with solar power. We’re going to see how it holds up in the rain.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” She narrowed her eyes. “Aren’t you at least a little bit curious about what kind of women were interested in your profile?”
He rolled his eyes. “Not even a little.”
Lori sighed. “Fine. I’ll take it off, but first…”
“No, Lori.” It really wasn’t her fault. She was no match for their mother’s guilt trips. “I’m sorry Mom talked you into this, but it’s not going to happen.”
“It’s just one date. I’ve already arranged everything. She’s pretty and owns her own business teaching music lessons. She lives in Ross. What could it hurt?”
“You’re wasting this poor woman’s time. I’m not going on a date, especially with a stranger.”
She frowned at him. “Seriously, Christian. I’m worried about you. It was one thing for you and Jessica to break up, but then to quit your job—a good job. I thought it was your dream to get a position at a big engineering company in the city.”
It had never been his dream. It was everybody else’s dream—Jessica’s, his sister’s, and his parents’. Never his. And he’d been dumb enough to go along with it, thinking that someday he’d learn to love it. “It’s nice that you’re worried about me, but I’m fine. Perfect, actually.” Or things would be perfect after he got his business off the ground and everyone could see that he in fact had not ruined his life.
“You spend all your time alone in this garage or camping by yourself. You know I love and support you, Christian. We all do, but we don't want you to throw your whole life away just because things didn't work out with Jessica. Just go on this one date. For me.”
Squeezing the handle of the pliers, he looked up at his sister. “You’ll have to cancel it.”
Lori crossed her arms. “Mary Beth will be at Cup of Joe, the coffee shop in Ross, tomorrow morning at nine. I guess if you don’t go she’ll think you stood her up.”
He studied his sister. “You wouldn’t let someone sit there and wait on me.”
His sister raised an eyebrow. “Try me.”
Christian shook his head. He wasn’t falling for it. Lori was too sweet, too kind-hearted, and too much of a people pleaser to do that. “Then I guess I’ll stand her up.”
Lori grabbed her phone from the workbench and walked around to the driver side of her car. “Fine by me.” She shrugged then placed her sunglasses back on.
He frowned as he watched his sister drive away.
She was bluffing. There was no way she'd put some poor woman through that. He was sure she was bluffing…at least he hoped she was.
2
Mary Beth took another sip of her latte and checked the time on her phone. Captain America still had two minutes before he was late. Maybe he was busy saving the world. Or maybe…
Dread shot through her. Had he stood her up? Why had she signed up to do this? After Todd, another rejection might send her into a second Dorito-and-rerun-fueled pity party.
No. She straightened her shoulders. She’d come on this date to move on from her past, not wallow in it.
Christian’s emails had been short but enthusiastic. They’d had a connection. But maybe he'd seen her and turned to run.
She shook off the thought. She refused to think that way. She'd come so far over the years. Nothing like the shy, insecure girl she used to be.
A Jeep pulled into a parking space in front of the large storefront window of the coffee shop. Through the windshield, she instantly recognized the kind eyes and boyish face from his photo. Getting out of the driver’s seat, Christian was taller than she’d expected. Thank goodness! She’d been too embarrassed to ask, and she hadn’t wanted to scare him off if he asked about her height.
Slender, he had the body of someone active. All in all, she’d say that Jo was right. He was hot. Her stomach fluttered. He’d make a great date for the reunion.
She smoothed her hair and straightened her coffee cup.
Christian walked through the door, his gaze scanning the room.
She took a deep breath and stood. "Christian?"
His attention landed on her, and for a moment, he froze with his lips parted. What was his expression...surprise? Did she really look that different from the photo on her profile? She tucked her hair behind her ear. It was a little shorter now than it had been when her aunt had taken the picture on the fourth of July. Her skin had been a little more tanned from the weekend on the lake, but she hadn’t been trying to misrepresent herself. She put a hand on her chest. “I’m Mary Beth Holland.”
He approached her. "Mary Beth, it's nice to meet you. Christian Fuller."
She nodded toward the counter. "Are you going to order anything?"
His brow furrowed. "No. Let's sit."
This didn't look good. Something about the way his gaze darted around made her think he was ready to escape. She slid into her chair. "So have you done this much? Go on a date through a dating site, I mean, because this is my first time."
His head dropped, and he stared at his hands before looking back up at her. “I’m not sure how to say this, but I want to be straight with you.”
Her heart seemed to stop as she braced herself. “Okay.” Not again. She couldn’t have a second man outright reject her.
“I didn’t sign up for the dating site,” he said. “My sister did. I came by to tell you that I’m not really looking to date anyone right now.”
She stared at him, trying to gauge if this was a story concocted to let her down easy. It didn’t matter. She wasn’t looking to get involved with anyone either. She was here for one reason. “Look, I get it. I just got out of a relationship.”
He leaned back in his chair, his
shoulders relaxing. “Me too! I’m so glad you understand.”
“I mean, online dating?” She clenched her teeth.
Christian grinned. “What a relief! I was really worried about coming here.”
“I only signed up hoping to find someone to go with me to my ten-year reunion,” she blurted out.
He flinched, her statement seeming to catch him off guard. Maybe it did seem a little desperate, but no more desperate than Internet dating. “Seriously?”
She couldn’t tell if the sharpness in his tone was hurt or pity, and she didn’t want to share the whole, humiliating history. “It would help if I had a date. It’s a long story.” Even if he didn’t want to date, maybe he’d still be willing to go to the reunion. It wasn’t like it would be a real date. “Unless…”
His eyes widened. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”
She shook her head. “Of course not. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
“It’s just that I’m busy getting my new business off the ground.”
She put her hands up. “It’s fine. Really.” Her face warm with embarrassment, she stood. “I appreciate you having the guts to come here and tell me the truth.”
He stood and handed her the cup of coffee she’d been sipping. “For what it’s worth, my sister did a great job. I was worried about what kind of woman she’d pick out for me.”
She gave a weak laugh. “Thanks.” Just her luck. He was good-looking and seemed like a nice guy, but he wasn’t interested. They headed for the door and walked out to the parking lot. “Good luck with your new business. Your profile said you were an engineer. What kind of business are you starting?”
They reached her car, and he opened her door for her. “Outdoor and camping equipment.”
“People are always looking for great gear.” She slid into the driver’s seat. “My uncle owns a few outdoor stores.”
He bent down. “Hang on. Mary Beth Holland. Your uncle owns Holland’s? The huge chain of outdoor stores?”
Mary Beth shrugged at his enthusiasm. “That’s the one.” It wasn’t like her uncle was the President of the United States, but he did have a lake house and a condo in the mountains somewhere. “He’s done pretty well for himself.”
He stared at her as she closed the door and rolled down her window. “It was nice to meet you, Christian.” At least now she could tell the girls on the planning committee that she’d given this Internet dating thing a try. Time to get back to Pup and her couch.
* * *
Christian squeezed the steering wheel. What had he done? Mary Beth Holland. He’d been trying to land a meeting with anyone at Holland’s corporate headquarters for months. The receptionist would only tell him they would keep his information on file, which most likely meant in the trash, and his calls and emails continued to go unreturned.
His sister stepped onto her front porch before he could even get out of his Jeep. “How did your big date go?” she called out.
He grabbed the handle of his weighty toolbox in the backseat and made his way to the front of her brick house on three acres. “What makes you think I went?”
Lori laughed. “The same reason you’re here to fix my sink. Because you’re not a jerk. You’re a good guy. You wouldn’t have let Mary Beth sit there and wait for you.”
He followed her into the quiet house. Her husband was still away on business—Orlando or maybe Las Vegas. Christian couldn’t keep track. His brother-in-law traveled a lot, and Christian liked that he could help out his sister when she needed him. “I only went to apologize for your inappropriate meddling.”
In the living room, his sister’s sewing stuff littered the coffee table and the sewing table set up in the corner. She picked up a pillow she’d made out of fabric with pale pink elephants on it. “Sorry about the mess. I have a custom order for baby bedding due in a couple of days. So how’d Mary Beth take it?”
He shook his head. “She swore off Internet dating forever. Are you happy?”
She threw the pillow that hit him in the chest. “Stop it. She did not. You liked her, didn’t you? You just don’t want to admit she’s perfect for you.”
He did like her. She was cute and sweet, and she hadn’t flinched when he told her he’d given up his engineering job to make camping equipment. But it didn’t matter, because dating was the last thing he needed in his life. He planned to spend his time focused on his new business. “You don’t give up, do you?” He walked into the kitchen and stared at the sink. “Lori, this doesn’t look like it’s leaking.” He turned the faucet on and back off. “I thought you said it dripped non-stop.”
She walked into the room and shrugged. “Weird. So tell me more about Mary Beth.”
No leaky faucet? Why had he driven over here and lugged his toolbox inside? “Did you lie so I’d stop by on my way home from the coffee shop?”
“I didn’t lie. It dripped a few days ago, then it stopped.”
He set the old toolbox on the tile floor beside him. “You’re impossible.”
Lori leaned her hip against the counter. “Now that you’re here, tell me about her. Mary Beth’s eyes looked so green in her photo. Was she as pretty in person?”
Mary Beth was beautiful—not that he’d tell Lori that. “I’m not interested.”
She rolled her eyes. “So you’ve told me.”
“She wasn’t interested in me either. She was looking for a date to a reunion. Nothing more.”
Lori straightened. “Are you going to take her?”
“Of course not.” Was Lori even listening?
She groaned. “I don’t understand you. You just told me she’s beautiful and that you’re both not looking for a serious relationship. So what would one date to her reunion hurt anything?”
But he knew from experience that it could. Going along with everyone else’s plan had been exactly what had gotten him in a job he didn’t enjoy and with a girlfriend who wasn’t right for him. “I never said she was beautiful.”
“You also didn’t deny it. What did you talk about? Did she tell you about teaching music lessons?”
“Maybe you should have gone on the date with her.” What had they talked about? It all happened so fast. “I found out her uncle owns Holland’s.”
“That store you’ve been trying to get a meeting with? That’s perfect! Is she going to help you?”
He scoffed. “It’s not like I could ask her to set up a meeting for me. I’d just told her I didn’t want to date her.”
“True. It’s not like she owed you a favor.”
“Hang on,” he said, freezing as if his idea might disappear if he moved. Whether the idea was brilliant or ridiculous, he hadn’t quite figured out yet. “What if she did? What if we made a business arrangement?”
She hoisted herself up to sit on the edge of the counter. “No wonder you’re single.”
“She needs a date for her reunion, and I need an introduction to her uncle.”
“No woman wants to barter for a date. Take her out because you like her, not because you’ll get something out of it.”
“You said yourself that going to the reunion wouldn’t hurt anything. Now, it might actually help me.”
She scrunched up her face. “I take it back. Maybe you are a jerk.”
“It’ll be a simple business proposal.” Not exactly simple. The fact that she was gorgeous made things a little more complicated, but he would keep his eyes on his goal. At this point, he didn’t have anything to lose, and from talking to her, he guessed Mary Beth didn’t either.
3
That afternoon, Mary Beth ordered her second cup of coffee of the day and made her way to the counter to wait for her much needed caffeine boost. After her date had ended in record time, she’d taught two piano lessons before it was time to meet the girls back at the coffee shop.
Jo walked in with the giant binder she’d brought to all their meetings and stood beside Mary Beth. “So…how was the engineer?” she asked with an earnest smile.
Mary Beth glanced at her friend and then back to the man making her latte. She hated to let Jo down, but the whole thing was kind of her fault. Mary Beth shrugged. “It was a bust.”
Jo frowned. “Really? He looked so great online.”
The barista moved her cup to the counter. “Do you want whipped cream?”
“Extra whipped cream, please,” Mary Beth said. After the day she’d had, she’d earned it.
“What was wrong with him?” Jo asked. “He didn’t look anything like his picture? He was shorter than his profile said? He talked with his mouth full?”
“No, he was tall.” And he looked even better than his profile picture, which made the entire situation even more annoying.
Her eyebrows rose. “Really?”
They headed to their usual table in the corner. They’d been meeting here to plan the reunion for months, but they’d spent more time gabbing about their love lives than actually planning anything. “His sister signed him up for the site and set up the date without him knowing. He’s not interested in dating me or anyone else.” Or so he said. Maybe that was the excuse he used to get out of dates with women he didn’t like. As much as she told herself she didn’t care, it still stung. Any warm-blooded man would change his mind about dating if he was really interested in the woman. Another blow to her ego.
Jo sat down, her binder taking up half the table. “Bummer. But don’t worry. There are a lot of guys online. We’ll find someone for you.”
Mary Beth shook her head. “No way. I told you I’d try it, and I did. I don’t think I’m ready. Maybe I’ll go alone.” Why not? She was an independent, grown woman. She could show up to the reunion on her own. If she’d matured, surely the rest of her class had grown up too. Maybe Harper wouldn’t even mention the stupid bet.
Matched Online: Anthology Bks 1-4 (Contemporary Romance) Page 23