Page 49 of The Wedding Crush

When I don’t answer, Chiara tries a different tactic.

“Would these plans happen to include ordering takeout and watching television on your couch?”

I let my head fall back onto my shoulders.

“You’re the worst, you know that?”

“Yes.”

At least she knows it.

“I stayed home. Is that what you want to hear?” I groan. “I spent my Thursday night touring an online dating app.”Trying not to think about the way Ace’s mother looked at me at the vineyard.“I created an empty profile, which I immediately canceled when I saw how morally confused these people are who claim they’re looking for love.”

Chiara giggles. “MyGod,you didn’t!”

Oh, I did.

“You’re in for the rudest awakening.”

“Discouraged, I was hoping to glean a tiny morsel of insight about dating nowadays, and I ended up watchingDoor-to-Door Dates—”

I barely get the show name out before Chiara jumps in excitedly.

“Oh my gosh, I’ve watched all twenty seasons. What did you think?”

“Surprisingly, it wasn’t half-bad.”

She’s fully invested now, and I’m not sure if it’s a mistake getting her hyped about dating.

“And your conclusion about the current state of romance in the world was…”

Slipping a five-dollar bill into the machine, I press a letter-number combo, my mouth watering for the Snickers that plunks down. After I scoop my hand in to grab it, then my change, I rip the brown packaging off, and take a large bite.

“Can I get back to you on that? I’m still traumatized.”

We both laugh.

I’ve got to admit, I don’t hate the lightness filling my chest.

Dating is certainly not for the faint of heart.

Or the bold.

Really, I haven’t figured out who it’s for, but I’m steering clear.

“Lord, you’ve been single for two seconds,” Chiara says. “Imagine how I felt before I found Lamar.”

I don’t have to since I, along with the rest of the family, was there—on multiple occasions—mopping up endless tears and reassuring her she’s amazing and worthy of love.

Guess I should start taking my own advice.

Taking another bite of chocolaty, nougaty goodness, I let the sugar surge through my veins. I take wide strides back to my office, and plop down onto my chair.

“To answer the question that I know you’re itching to ask, no, I’m not ready to date or secretly fawning over Avery.”That much.“Between throwing myself into work, cleaning up the Healdsburg house, and spending the next two months on wedding liaison duties, that’s enough.”

“Sooo…”

“I’m not ready to date, but I want to be organized and prepared when the time comes,” I say, hoping we can change the subject now.

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