Page 29 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
“This is exactly the sort of thing I need to come to. What if he’s a plant?”
Adelaide snorted a laugh. “You think the people who threatened my ex-husband sent a man here to trick Patty and take me on a blind date?”
He shrugged. “You never know.”
“As if anyone could trick Patty,” she mumbled.
He was inclined to agree with her, but said nothing.
“What’s the worst he can do?” She turned to him. “Break my heart?”
Rick laughed. “Regardless, I’m coming.”
“I don’t know how to explain having a bodyguard.” Adelaide said. “‘Say hello to my bodyguard, Mr. Bond. No sudden movements.’” She snorted and shook her head.
“I know you want to impress the guy so maybe…” Rick said.
Her jaw dropped. “Are you mocking me?”
He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “No, I’m not mocking you. I can tell you’re excited.”
“I’m notexcited,” she hissed. “I’m trying to make a sincere effort.” She stopped and let out a sigh. “This is all new to me, Rick. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m trying to be open to new experiences.”
“I’m not criticizing you.”
“I’mcriticizing me,” Adelaide said. “In my defense, it’s really strange to go from thinking you’re happily married to being thrust back out in the cold.”
“It is.”
“Have you ever been married?” she asked. “Er…are you married?”
Rick cleared his throat. “No.”
“Sorry,” she said quickly. “I know you don’t like to talk about yourself.”
“It’s not that I don’t like to talk about myself,” he said. “It’s not relevant.”
She paused, her hand hanging in the air, clutching a puffy makeup brush. “Of course you’re relevant, Rick. You’re our fourth roommate.”
He laughed. “That’s what you can tell your date, then. You brought your roommate along in case things get out of hand.”
She turned back to the mirror. “I’m sure that will go over great. I’ll seem like a totally sane person.”
“You don’t have to worry about it,” he continued. “I’ll go in and grab a table by myself. No one will even know I’m there.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Maybe Patty’s got someone lined up for you, too.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re getting loony.”
She exploded into laughter, hunching over the bathroom sink. When she straightened, streaks of black makeup clumped under her eyelashes. She wiped them away. “I know!”
Rick stepped back. She needed space. She was clearly excited about this date, whether she wanted to admit it or not, and he didn’t want to ruin the fun. This date was the first thing Adelaide had done for herself. She was forever at other people’s service.
Rick could relate.
He drove them both to the restaurant in Friday Harbor and parked on the street.
“Maybe I should cancel,” she said, peering through the window.
