Page 49 of Off the Wall

“Perhaps.” Jemma’s brow rises. “But youarebeing entirely paid, aren’t you?”

“I am.” I nod, even as my insides squirm.

“Good.” Her smile is prim. “Your next date is tomorrow night, seven o’clock, at a place called Sir Axe-A-Lot. I’ll send you the address.”

“Great.” I force a chuckle. “Hopefully my date won’t throw any sharp objects at me.”

As we sign off, I have to admit, I’m officially intrigued. This match could be a prince or a frog.

And there’s only one way to find out.

The following morning, I’m toweling off after a shower when my phone starts to ring. My heart does a little stutter step thinking Cash might be calling me. I mean sure, we only exchanged numbers in case of emergency, but you never know. Maybe he needs a whole lot of chocolate chip scones for the hospital staff. And if so, I’d love to be the one to help him out for once.

But it’s not Cash.

Of course it isn’t Cash.

Telling my stupid heart to calm down, I stick in my earbuds and accept my brother’s call.

“Hey, East.” I set the phone on the bed so I can get dressed. I’ve already picked out a knit top and jeans for work. Bike riding attire. “What’s up?”

“That’s what Becca and I wanted to ask you,” he says. “You’re on speaker, by the way. You said we should tell you that from now on. So this is us, officially telling you.” He takes a beat. “Now is there anything you’d like to tellus?”

A twinge of guilt pings in my stomach.

Maybe they found out about Dorothy somehow. Or about the business loan. Or about me trying to buy Serendipi-Tea. I left them out of the loop because I know they’ll almost certainly offer to help me. And I really don’t want to be tempted to say yes.

“Tell you about what?” I pull on my jeans, wiggling them up over my hips.

“That you’re on some dating app,” he says. “Did you really think we wouldn’t find out?”

“Oh, that.” I wince. Not what I expected.

Also, you two barely do social media, so yeah. I kind of thought you wouldn’t find out.

“Two weeks ago, you told Becca you were sticking to setups from people you know,” East says. “Remember?”

“Actually, I told her I never wanted to go on another setup in my life.” I tug my top on over my head.

“That’s true,” Becca pipes up in the background.

“So what’s the problem?”

“People have been sending us videos of you going on all these crazy dates,” Becca says.

“Four dates,” I clarify.

“You’re … viral, Nori,” East says.

“Trust me, I haven’t gone viral. Not by current standards anyway. And Swipe Rite doesn’t want anyone on their app to become a meme.” I move to the closet and slide on a pair of Vans. Note to self: I need a pedicure.

“How do you even know these men you’re going out with are safe?” Becca asks.

“Swipe Rite does the vetting for me.” I puff out a small laugh. “And these guys are as harmless as the one Pamela set me up with. Phoenix Fernsby was nice enough, but he wasdefinitelynot interested in me.”

“This is a bad idea,” East insists.

“Dating Phoenix?” I joke. “Couldn’t agree more.”

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