Page 12 of Make My Heart Malt

Great. Only for them to learn I’ve been in the same spot as I was ten years ago, but now with dyed hair.

“It’s been so long since the family has seen you, especially Nana. She always adored you. It’s getting harderfor her to travel. She won't be able to make too many more trips to Harbor Highlands.” She flashes me a warm smile.

Dammit. If anything could guilt trip me, it would be Nana. She’s the sweetest woman in the entire world. Clenching my teeth, I plaster on a wide smile, hoping it looks genuine. “I can’t wait to see everyone.” I’m doing this for Nana. But I can’t go alone. I need a date.

I’m screwed, completely, utterly, royally screwed—not the fun kind either. This is borderline backdoor-without-lube kind of screwed. Not that I know from experience; it just doesn’t sound pleasant. Panic grips me as I scour through my contacts on my phone, desperately seeking someone, anyone, who could be my last-minute wedding date.

Lach walks past me. “Growing up did your parents ever tell you if you make a face for so long it will eventually stay that way forever?”

My gaze slowly lifts from my phone to Lach. “Probably.”

“Okay. Because you have been scrunching your face for the past ten minutes, and I’m afraid it’s going to become a permanent look. I assure you guys are not into angry eyebrows.”

I purse my lips. “Fine then. You can help me. I need a favor.”

“Anything.” He sets a case of beer on the edge of the cooler.

“I need you to be my date to a wedding.” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

“Anything but that.”

I prop my hands on my hips. “Why?”

“It’s a wedding.”

“It’s a date for a wedding.”

“Single guys like me go to weddings to hook up with the single bridesmaids. I can’t do that if I’m going with you as a date.” He quirks an eyebrow at me.

I shake my head. “I don’t care what you do. Hookup with whoever you want, including the bridesmaids.”

Without looking up, he places the bottles in the cooler two at a time. “But I look like the asshole for hooking up with other people while on a date with someone else. I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Do you want me to write you a permission slip?” A figurative light bulb sparks above my head. “I got it! I could dump you at the wedding and then you could play the guy with the broken heart. Girls gobble that shit up. They would be more than willing to make you forget all about her or me in this case.” I flash him a dazzling smile, praying he takes the bait. I need him to say yes. “Even though I would be hard to get over.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. But your idea could work.” He rubs his chin.

“Great! So you’ll do it?”

“No.”

I roll my eyes and huff. “You’re a terrible friend.” I spin around and face my boss. “Jake. Want to help out your favorite employee?” I flash him a smile so radiant it could rival the sun.

“There are a lot of things wrong with your sentence. For starters, I don’t do favors,” Jake deadpans.

“Today is a good day to start. It’s at the end of the week. You can pick me up or we can even meet there if you’d like. But dress nice. Like you care.”

“Whose wedding is it, anyway?” Lach asks.

“Tony Dawson.”

“Oh. So Garrett’s going,” Jake says. “Yeah, I’m steering clear of that.”

“What do you mean ‘steering clear of that’? There’s nothing to steer clear of.” I prop my hand on my hip.

Jake scoffs. “Nope. I’ll be busy washing my hair that night.”

“I hate you both,” I mumble. “See if you ever get a favor out of me.”

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