Page 28 of In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes

“Next one?” I asked when I got into the driver’s side.

“We’re going to a singles event.”

I stared at her in horror. She burst out laughing before shaking her head at me in mock disbelief. “If you want to meet the future Mrs. Holden, you have to meet people.”

“I hate meeting people,” I told her. “That’s why I have you.”

“I’ll help.” She smiled at me. “I’ll be your wingwoman.”

I didn’t mind the idea of more outings like tonight. My hand came to my chest, rubbing at the weird, warm pressure as I drove, stealing glances at Sadie as she fiddled with the music and rolled her window down to let a breeze in. Her hair fluttered in the wind and she sighed, letting her fingers drift through the air.

The reality of this dating thing became clear. I’d have to talk to people. Socialize. Smile. Be friendly. I couldn’t work as much. I hated that she was right about that. I’d have to talk to person after person, making awkward conversation, until one person could stand me.

My stomach twisted. I hated this.

I let out a groan.

“What?” Sadie asked with a small smile.

“Singles event.” I groaned.

She laughed. Her hand came to my shoulder and she squeezed. My stomach flipped. In some alternate universe where she wasn’t my matchmaker, tonight could be a date.

I hadn’t had this much fun with a woman…

Ever.

Talking with Sadie was easy. Around her, I wasn’t the awkward asshole who couldn’t string a sentence together.

Shit. What? No. This wasn’t a date.

Sadie was mymatchmaker. I had promised Katherine I’d try to find someone, and that was the only reason we were out tonight. She had been crystal clear earlier—she wasn’t interested in marriage. She shut that down as fast as she could.

She didn’t live here. She didn’t want what I wanted. She didn’t even like me.

A thought pierced my brain. She didn’t even like me, and she was trying to set me up?

You couldn’t sell a product you didn’t believe in.

Her words from years ago played in my head again and my hands tightened on the steering wheel. There was no way she’d succeed at this.

I glanced at her, staring out the window and humming along with the music in the truck. She had put some seventies funk playlist on and was tapping her foot to the beat.

Guilt washed through my stomach. She needed the money for some reason. She was desperate, and I was stringing her along with this plan, knowing she wouldn’t find anyone for me.

I’d hold up my end of the deal whether she found me someone or not. I had the money to buy more shares in the inn.

Besides, as much as I didn’t want to admit it, as much as it pissed me off, I liked hanging out with Sadie, and didn’t mind her staying for a little longer.

13

Sadie

“This way, folks,”the crew member called as people shuffled onto the boat.

The sea sparkled in the Queen’s Cove marina, the September sun warmed my face, and a light breeze lifted my hair. I took a deep breath of fresh air and let it out before smiling at Holden.

“September on the west coast is so nice.”

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