Page 4 of The Wrong Date Deal

“Remind me to order a bunker when Massima falls in love,” Shea muttered into Piper’s ear.

“Will do,” Piper whispered back brightly.

Hermes shook his head and leaned into the table. “Anyway.Where is the date tomorrow, Piper?”

“That new café on Maple.”

“Oh, I was just there yesterday,” Shea said. “It’s nice. They’ve got a killer London fog that you’re going to love. You too,” she added, looking at Hermes.

“Hey, just because I’m half British—”

“Yeah, yeah. You love tea. Just accept that you’re a stereotype.”

Hermes scowled. “Anyone who doesn’t love tea is a problem.”

“Thank you,” Shea said, grinning widely. “More coffee for me.”

“I like coffee too.”

“Well,” Piper said, interjecting, “I guess, even if the date is horrifying, I’ll at least get a good drink out of it.”

“Yes, you’ll have to let me know how it is,” Hermes said, ignoring the way Shea grinned at him.

“Absolutely.” Piper laughed. “If the date’s terrible, I’ll just buy you one and bring it over.”

“Deal.” He smirked. “Now, I’m kind of hoping the date is bad.”

“Thank you so much for your support.”

“You’re so welcome.”

“And, if it goes well,” Shea said, nudging Hermes, “I’ll take you to get one.”

“Plying the Brit with tea. How original,” Hermes snarked, but he was smiling with no venom.

“Maybe you can ply me with coffee to even the playing field.”

“Iced coffee. With syrups and whipped cream. You know, if we’re going for the stereotype.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“Of course it does.”

“Maybe you two should go to the café tomorrow—maybe we all should!” Massima said. “That way, if Piper’s date is going badly again, she’ll have an easy out and her friends nearby.”

Piper laughed. “No, thank you. I appreciate the thought, but I don’t love the idea of you all watching me on a first date.”

“Why not?” Shea asked, grinning innocently.

Piper shot her a look. “Do you enjoy going on dates with an audience?”

“Not really my thing, but maybe it would work for you.”

“I can promise it would not.” Piper shook her head. “We can all go when I’m not on a date.”

“Yeah, okay, that’s fair,” Massima agreed as Shea just smirked. “I’m still holding out hope that tomorrow will be the good one. I have a great feeling about it.”

“Fantastic,” Piper said, smiling at her. “If you want to manifest that for me, I’m totally in favor. At this point, I’ll take all the help I can get.”

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