Page 70 of Finding My Charming

I could feel her staring me down, but I focused on my computer just to see how far I could push her.

“Oh, come on! You can’t keep things like this from me. I’ve told you time and again that an old lady like me has to live through your experiences. The most exciting thing to happen to me lately is a new episode of that home-improvement show I’ve been watching. That contractor is one handsome man. If my husband hadn’t built our home to perfection, I would be stalking that man to come spend some time in my house.”

Sherrie now had rosy cheeks and a wistful expression.

“Ew.”

She returned to harassing me. “Tell me, sweetie! Did you talk to him? Did you guys go out? Give me something!”

“I did manage to run into him when we were both leaving work.”

She nodded, and her obvious excitement kept me talking. “My car wouldn’t start, so he helped me with that.”

“Oh, a damsel in distress! Very good move, Elle. Nothing makes a man feel as good as protecting and taking care of his woman.”

So many things were wrong with that sentence. I shook my head and continued. “Before he left, he asked for my number, and later that night, he asked me to go out with him on Saturday. The only thing he told me was to wear a bathing suit and comfortable clothes.”

She narrowed her eyes, and I knew she was already making guesses. “He didn’t give me any more information, and he picked me up at ten!”

She suddenly looked even more confused. “Ten in the morning? He must have had a long day planned for you guys.”

Funny how she had a completely rational reaction to that, whereas I’d assumed he was going to take me to a carwash. Maybe I should start calling her in my moments of crisis rather than Ari.

“Oh, he did. I just didn’t know. We went hiking then rappelling then swimming then hiked back. It was one long day.”

She cringed slightly. “Well, I suppose some people would be interested in those activities, but in my time, no bright boy would ask a girl to get dirty and wet on a first date.”

I immediately broke into immature giggles.

Sherrie shot me a look. “You know what I meant. It sounds like you had fun though.”

I pretended to think about it before smiling again. “I really did. I thought we would bicker the whole time like we usually do, but we actually have a lot in common. Like real things, not just a favorite sport or show. He was different than I expected.”

She winked and turned back to her computer. “I could have told you that weeks ago, but you didn’t want to listen to me.”

“I was just a teeny, tiny bit preoccupied with this disaster.” I tugged on my necklace and watched her eyes drop to it for a moment.

“I know your family believes in that, but you shouldn’t allow it to control your life.”

“Tell that to April.” I mumbled it, but Sherrie heard.

“Don’t get me started on that one.”

I laughed and turned to get to work.

A few hours passed when the front door opened. I looked up from the screen to greet the client but instead was looking at an enormous bouquet of flowers weaving its way across the lobby toward me.

“Ugh… delivery for a Miss Elise Benson?” The voice from behind the flowers didn’t sound familiar.

I stood to help, but he’d already reached the counter. I moved the vase aside and smiled at the young man in a Main Street Flowers polo shirt.

“That’s me. Thank you so much.”

He smiled and shrugged. “They’re not from me. I just get to drop them off.” His gaze dropped to the floor as if it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the universe.

“Well, I appreciate it. Do I need to sign or anything?”

“No need. I know who you are.”