Page 40 of I Knew He Was Trouble
As I’m closing the door, I hear her humming, “Here Comes the Bride.”
I press my lips together to hide both my laughter and horror. I have a gut feeling of my own that I have no idea what I’ve just gotten myself into.
Mykneebouncesasthe phone rings. I’m on my lunch break and just noticed I missed four calls from my great-aunt this morning. My brain automatically jumps to the worst conclusions. She’s in jail for doing something inappropriate in her independent living community and needs me to bail her out. She fell and is in the hospital with a broken hip.
“Hi, Tyler, dear.”
Well, if she’s answering her phone, at least she’s not in jail.
“Is everything okay?” The words fly out of my mouth, panic in my tone.
“I’m alive and kicking.”
When she doesn’t say anything else, I press my lips together. “I saw a bunch of missed calls from you. I figured something was wrong.”
“Oh, no. Nothing like that. I have a story to tell you.”
I lean back in my desk chair, letting my panic dissipate. “Go ahead.”
“So it was a normal Thursday except for this duck…”
Aunt Darla tells me the most outrageous story about a duck that flew into her room and the woman who saved her from said duck.
“You’ve always had some wild stories, but I think this one might top them all.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” she agrees. “I’m not sure I’d believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. You should use it as Evie’s bedtime story tonight.”
“I just might.” I laugh. “You’re doing all right, though? No shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or heartburn?”
“Nope, I’m healthy as a horse.”
I shake my head. Aunt D always has random sayings up her sleeve. “I’m glad to hear it. Well, I—”
“I do have a request for you before you get back to work. I know you’re opposed to being set up, but I told the woman who saved me that you would be a perfect match. So, I’m sending you on a blind date.”
I groan. “And I don’t have any say in this?”
“Nope. I know my favorite great-nephew wouldn’t deny his loving aunt who almostdiedthe pleasure of knowing he found true love. Plus, you need to thank the young woman who was so kind and attentive to me.”
“That’s laying it on a little thick for someone who just said they’re healthy as a horse, don’t you think?”
“Oh, pish posh. You’ll do it because you love me.”
She’s right. I’ve said no to her before, just like I deny all attempts by my receptionist and sister whenever they try to set me up, but when Aunt Darla puts it like this, she doesn’t leave me with an option.
“Fine,” I concede. “But I’m not making any promises it’ll go beyond this one date.”
“Excellent,” she yells, making me wince and pull the phone away from my ear.
I rub my temples. “When is this happening?”
“You’ll meet her tomorrow night at six at that cute Italian place you like—you know, on the outskirts of downtown.”
At least Aunt Darla listens when I tell her about my favorite restaurants.
“Do I get this girl’s name or number?”
“So you can look her up or text her and cancel?” She tuts. “Oh, no. Just make sure you wear a white shirt with that dark blue jacket of yours. I’ll tell her that’s what you’ll be wearing so she can find you in the restaurant.”
