Page 42 of The Anaconda Downstairs

Iblinked rapidly, trying to process what had just happened. One minute I was sailing through speed dates, feeling more confident than I had in years, and the next, Everett Kingman was sitting across from me, looking like he’d just run a marathon.

I didn’t know whether to be hurt or excited that he didn’t want to be my love coach anymore, whether to protest or sing hallelujah.

Before I could sort through my feelings, he grabbed my hand.

It was like someone had cranked up the heat and electricity in the room. Every nerve ending in my body seemed to focus on that single point of contact. Everett’s hand was warm, slightly calloused from years of catching footballs, and it fit perfectly around mine.

I opened my mouth, not sure what I was going to say, but knowing I had to say something. This was Everett. The guy who’d been trying to help me find a date, for crying out loud. He couldn’t possibly mean...

The shrill sound of a bell cut through the air, making us both jump. Everett’s hand tightened on mine for a split second before he let go, leaving my skin tingling.

“Oh my goodness, is that Everett Kingman jumping into the fray?” A perky blonde woman in a floral dress appeared at our table, clipboard in hand and excitement radiating from every pore. She looked from Everett to me and back again, her smile growing wider by the second.

“I can’t believe it.” She was so giddy, she was practically vibrating. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have one of the biggest sports stars, and I know you ladies remember that underwear ad, joining our speed dating event tonight.”

I watched as Everett’s face cycled through a series of expressions—surprise, frustration, and finally, a resigned sort of panic. He looked at me, his eyes pleading for... what? Help? Understanding?

“Ev,” I started, not sure what I was going to say. We needed to talk. That much was clear. But with everyone’s eyes on us and this overly enthusiastic event organizer practically ready to be the Mrs. Claus of the dating world, now was definitely not the time.

“You should go to the next table,” I said, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. “We can talk after, okay?”

Everett hesitated, looking like he wanted to say more. But then he nodded, standing up slowly. “Yeah, okay. After.”

As the event organizer ushered him to the next table, chattering about what an honor it was to have him participate, I slumped back in my chair. My mind was going through a thousand mental checklists, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

What had Everett been about to say? And more importantly, why was I hugely disappointed that he hadn’t gotten to finish? He could have just been ready to tell me I didn’t need him anymore and that he was leaving me to the wolves.

But he wouldn’t do that. Not my Everett.

The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped me back to reality. I looked up to see my next speed date sliding into the chair across from me, a charming smile on his face.

“Hi, I’m Odin,” he said, extending his hand. “You know, the guy on FlipFlop with the axe? And you must be the luckiest girl here, getting to be the first one with Everett Kingman himself tonight.”

I plastered on a smile and shook his hand, all while my eyes drifted to where Everett sat at the next table, which happened to be where Simone was sitting. “Yeah,” I murmured. “Lucky me.”

“So, Penelope Quinn, assistant to the fabulous Kelsey Best,” Odin said, leaning in with a smile that was probably meant to be charming but came off as smarmy. “I have to say, I’m a big fan. You probably know I went mega viral for saying I loved fat-bottomed girls who make the rocking world go round.”

I forced a smile, trying not to cringe. I did know who he was, unfortunately. His “body-positive” video had been all over social media, but his product line of health and fitness products he launched since then that were so very diet culture revealed his true colors.

“Right, of course,” I said, my tone flat. “How could I forget?”

Odin didn’t seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “You know, I’ve always had a thing for curvy women. There’s just more to love, you know what I mean?”

I felt my skin crawl. The way he said it, like he was doing me a favor by finding me attractive, made me want to dump my drink over his head. Instead, I just nodded, my eyes once again drifting to the table next to us.

Everett sat there, looking uncomfortable as Simone leaned in close. When we’d realized we were both at the event, Simone and I had exchanged friendly hellos and wished each other luck. But now, watching her with Everett, I felt a surge of irritation.Hadn’t I tried to set them up before? So why did seeing them together now bother me so much?

“Hey, earth to Penelope,” Odin snapped his fingers and his voice cut through my thoughts. “You seem a little distracted. You don’t have to feel self-conscious around me, you know? I like what you’ve got going on.”

I blinked, forcing myself to focus on the man in front of me. “Sorry, I’m just... it’s been a long night. Lots of dates, you know?”

Odin’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I totally get it. Sometimes the pressure of meeting new people when you’re as recognizable as me can be overwhelming. Especially for girls like you, who might not be used to so much attention.”

Uh. My eyebrows shot into the atmosphere before I could stop them. Girls like me? What was that supposed to mean?

But before I could respond, I caught a snippet of conversation from the next table.

“...hoped we might get to meet again,” Simone was saying, her voice low and intimate.

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