Page 2 of Merrick
“What do you mean he doesn’t have a date yet?” Ember asks, her hands on her hips looking between Aaron and Merrick. “The Ball is Saturday.”
“Why do you care so much about who he takes?” Aaron asks.
"Because we will all be sitting together. And you too will have to make your rounds schmoozing the donors for money, and I will be left to make small talk with whoever you bring."
Aaron and Merrick exchange a look between them that reminds me of the unspoken looks they'd give each other when they were in trouble. Somehow, with only a glance, the two of them would know what the other was thinking. Merrick's gaze flicks to me but turns away again when he sees me watching him.
“What are y’all talking about?” I ask.
Ember turns to me. “Merrick doesn’t have a date for the Fireman’s Ball on Saturday.”
Suddenly, Ember's urgency to take me shopping and the dress she convinced me I desperately needed, despite not having any place to wear it, now hanging in my backseat makes sense. This is a setup.
“Mattie, go grab your things. We should probably get going. You have your science fair project to finish up.”
He looks up at me, a curious expression on his face. “But that’s not due until next month.”
I squeeze his shoulder in, warning him not to push me on this. He gets the message and runs off.
“I’m sure Merrick has no problem finding his own dates.” I finally respond to Ember’s fake outrage at the situation. I know she’s not really mad because there is a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
“Even if he finds someone to agree to go with him, how will they have enough time to find a dress?” Ember gives me a tiny wink that the guys can’t see.
She’s about a subtle as a freight train plowing through a grocery store.
“I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” Merrick says.
“Can you be sure about that? One hundred percent?” Ember asks.
“Mattie! Let’s go!” I call out, knowing I only have seconds to get out of here before she suggests he take me. I don’t want my likely only date with Merrick to be a pity date that he was forced into by his best friend’s girlfriend.
“Well, no.” Merrick frowns. “I can’t say with one hundred percent certainty.”
"Okay, well then, I think that we need to find someone for you to take that we know will have a dress.”
Mattie turns the corner of the firetruck with his mitt and bat in hand, moving slower than a sloth.
“Sweetheart, let's go!"
“You should take Jemma to the ball.” Ember blurts out.
Dammit.
