Page 26 of Keys

“It kind of is a big deal. I’m not ready yet.”

“If you don’t do it now, when are you ever going to be ready?” Tash argued with me.

“I don’t know. Is there a specific timetable I’m supposed to be on that no one ever informed me of?”

“Of course not. We just hate seeing that look in your eyes.”

“What look?”

“You know what I’m talking about.” She sighed and then turned me to face the full-length mirror. “You look shit-hot already thanks to the job you took earlier. And by the way, the fact that you took that kind of job when you usually hate being the point person on them, says a fuck of a lot about how you’re feeling.”

I rolled my eyes, even though Tash hadn’t lied about any of it. I had taking the job earlier to set that asshole up so that his fiancé would know what she was in for if she went forward with the wedding. It had been arranged by their parents. Neither of them particularly enjoyed the other’s company, and yet she had agreed.

I think she hired our company to try to finagle her way out of whatever deal her father had brokered. It didn’t seem likely, but if she wanted to throw the money away, who was I to complain? Especially since the asshole had fallen for me hook, line, and sinker. He didn’t even hesitate. She got her answer, and video proof to take to her family. I hoped it helped her.

Tash stood there, watching me as I worked through what she was saying in conjunction with the bullshit job I’d taken earlier. “What’s the guy like?”

Tash grinned and rubbed her hands together in a greedy little gesture. “Well, he’s not super tall, probably closer to your height, if I’m being honest.” This wasn’t off to a good start at all. “He is fine as hell though. Dark eyes, almost black hair, and he takes his gym regiment seriously. The man is stacked.” Tash held her arms out wide, way past where her shoulders stopped on either side. “Massive shoulders. I bet he could pick you up and throw you around in a stupid-hot fuck session.”

Again, I rolled my eyes. “I thought this was a date, not a one-night stand.”

She bounced her shoulders up and down twice. “You never know how things will turn out by the end of the night. You know the old saying, ‘the best way to get over someone is to get under someone new’.”

“Yuk. I know you did not just give that tired advice to me.”

Tash laughed and so did JoJo, who had come in halfway through the conversation. “Let me guess, Keys is reluctant to go on a date?”

“Of course, she is.” Tash complained.

“Why aren’t you trying to set up Jo? She actually needs a husband!”

JoJo pointed a finger gun at me and pretended to shoot it. “I need a man I can trust to pretend to be my husband for a few years so that I can keep my business and my asshole brother doesn’t get his grubby paws on it.”

“Well, if this guy isn’t trustworthy…” I cut myself off when I noticed the amusement leave both of their faces. I couldn’t take any more pitying looks from my friends. “Fine,” I relented. “I’ll go.”

“Yay!” Tash hopped up and down and clapped her hands in excitement. “This is going to be fun!”

JoJo pulled me in for a subdued hug. “If you need me, I’m only a text away.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. Besides, we’ll consider this prescreening. If he’s not your type, but still seems trustworthy, you can shoot him my way.” She winked to let me know she was kidding.

“I’m working on what we can do to help you too. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.”

“There’s nothing.”

“There has to be a loophole.”

“My father was a brilliant idiot. He had it all locked down tight. I think he just worried that I would remain a spinster and turn into an old cat lady who did nothing else but work on cars.”

“I see nothing wrong with that,” I told her.

She sighed. “I know you don’t, since that’s almost your life plan to a T.” We turned and headed down the hallway to Tash’s room. “Now, let Tash make you all pretty for your date tonight.” JoJo lifted the ends of my hair. “Maybe you can finally let her give you a trim too while she works on your makeup.”

I grumbled out a response that I didn’t intend for Jo or anyone else to hear. She laughed, because even if she couldn’t understand my mumbled cursing, the sentiment wasn’t lost on her. Not a single cell in my body wanted to go out on a date or spend the next hour or two primping away for a blind date. My friends were right though. I’d never move on from Quickshot if I didn’t force that first step. There was also the fact that the girls would never leave me alone about shit until I did this. I had to prove to them that I was over him and moving on.

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