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Yes, I’m nervous. I hate to admit it, but it’s the truth. A man with my means and accomplishments, nervous? Go figure. But I don’t need to work it out. I know the reason. I’ve been on plenty of dates, but this is different. I haven’t seen Tilly in ten years, and after only three days of her being back in town, I’m taking her out. And I don’t mean with a rifle.
I feel like a teenager again. It’s not that I want anything to come of it, but Tilly held a very special place in my heart for a long time. This is not an ordinary date.
You can’t get involved again.
No. And I have no intention. This is a one-off favor, and that’s it. And yet, when the time comes, I still take nearly an hour figuring out what I’m going to wear.
In the end, I go with smart casual: jeans, boots, and a deep blue shirt. And, of course, my cowboy hat. I rarely go anywhere without it.
“Wish me luck,” I say to Elsa before closing the front door and heading to the truck.
Pulling up outside Gerry and Bella’s house, I’m about to jump out of the truck when the front door flies open and Tilly hurriedly skips out. Behind her, Bella calls out and gives me a wave.
“Hi, Jake.”
“Hey, Bella,” I say, noticing the beaming smile on her face.
I hope she isn’t getting any ideas. This is a favor and nothing else.
Before I know it, Tilly is climbing into the passenger side, not even giving me a chance to go and open the door for her. She pulls it closed and then heaves a stressed sigh.
She sounds as nervous as I feel, but I’m trying to play it cool even as my stomach is twisting. Aloof and contained—that’s the look I’m going for. Whether I’ll be able to pull it off all night, I have no idea. The scent that fills the cab isn’t helping, and I’m met with a soft mixture of coconut and something floral. The potent aroma fills my nostrils, and I swallow hard.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” I say, looking her up and down while at the same time trying to distract myself from how good she smells. “You know we’re in Baskington, right? Not New York?”
In truth, she looks stunning in the soft pink sweater, blue capri pants, and matching heels, but I can’t let her know that.
She throws me a fiery scowl. “Let’s just get this over with, shall we?”
7
Tilly
Yes, I am mad.No, I don’t care.
Yes, you do.
Alright, yes, I do.
But if this date gets rid of Bryan and has him hightailing it back to the city, then it’s worth the discomfort, right? And believe me, there is huge discomfort.
Yesterday, when Jake finally agreed to go on this fake date, I was thrilled and relieved in equal measures. He didn’t exactly make it easy, and that huge dog sitting at his feet only added to my distress, but I left a little happier than when I had arrived.
Now, as we take the short drive into town, my stomach is in knots. I texted Bryan, telling him my plans and that he might as well just leave and go back to the city. Just like I knew he would, he texted back, telling me he didn’t care. He was still going to win me back. I didn’t reply after that. I don’t want to engage with him any more than I need to.
But I know my ex-boyfriend. I know he’s going to show up just to see if I’m telling the truth. So now I feel like a performing monkey, going through a ridiculous act just to be left alone in peace. But it’s more than that.
We’re heading to Maggie’s, the main bar and restaurant in Baskington. It was owned by Maggie Turner since more than sixty years ago, but she sadly passed when I was still in high school. Her sons, Keith and Billy, took it over. Apart from the obvious maintenance, they didn’t change a thing, which delighted the locals.
It’s the main meeting place in Baskington, which means I’m going to see some old faces. So far, I’ve been hiding in Mom and Dad’s barn. I’ve been avoiding having to see people because I just know they’ll want to know all my business.
But hey, this is better, right? Now, not only will they know I’ve run back home with my tail between my legs, but they’ll also think I’ve come crawling back to Jake.
Fantastic!
I can just imagine what they’ll say about me, and I know it will be nothing good. I’m really putting myself in the firing line here, and there’s going to be far more than just one shooter. I left the city to get away from drama. Somehow, I’ve managed to create something far worse.
But it will get rid of Bryan.
