Page 63 of I Knew He Was Trouble
She lets out a dramatic sigh. “How am I supposed to live through your romance stories if you don’t have any to share?”
“Like the blind date I let Aunt D set me up on?”
“Shut. Up.” Tess emphasizes each word. “You let her set you up on a date before me?” She pouts and crosses her arms. “I’m offended.”
“I don’t let anyone set me up on dates, but I made an exception this time.” I laugh. “Let me tell you a tale I like to callDarla and the Duck.”
My sister smiles and moves closer to the screen. “Tell meeverything.”
I dive into the story, sharing what I learned from Darla’s and Kelsey’s perspectives. Once I finish telling her all the crazy details, I sigh. “That’s why I agreed to let her set me up. How could I not after everything she went through?”
The mischievous smile on Tess’s lips lets me know she’s about to tell me exactly how she feels. “You, dear brother, have been hoodwinked.”
“Aunt D didn’t trick me. She was legit scared.”
“Yeah.” She snorts. “Scared of dying before you get married and give her more great-great nieces or nephews to spoil.”
The more that I think about it, I wouldn’t put it past my matchmaking great-aunt to swindle me into going on a date. Darla’s words from that day flood back to the front of my mind. I rub the back of my neck. “She might’ve mentioned something about a ticking clock.”
Tess brandishes her fist like it’s a judge’s gavel, banging it on the table in front of her. “I find the defendant guilty as charged.” She steeples her hands under her chin. “Now, are you going to tell me about your date? I’m not above begging.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “What’s with women wanting to know every little detail?”
“I already told you. I’m living vicariously through you.”
“Why can’t you just go on dates yourself?”
She waves off my comment. “Evie’s my priority. I don’t have the time to invest in getting to know someone right now.”
My heart breaks for my sister. I know she’s doing what she thinks is right for Evie, but I also know how much love my sister has to give. She deserves to have someone to share that love with and be loved by in return.
Tess snaps her fingers. “Stop trying to change the subject and tell me about your date.”
“You’re gonna love this.” I laugh nervously. I know there’s no turning back once I tell my nosy sister about this—about who I went on a date with and my potentialfeelingsfor said person. “I’m sitting at the restaurant, waiting for my date to show up, and in walks none other than…”
“Oh, spill it already.”
“Kelsey.”
Tess’s mouth falls open. “Your neighbor and the woman watching Evie?ThatKelsey?” I nod. “How juicy.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Did Aunt D know?”
“I don’t think so. She seemed surprised when I brought it up.”
“Maybe it’s a happy coincidence.”
“There’s one thing it is—confusing.”
“So, I guess the date didn’t go well?”
“It wasn’t really a date.”
“But?”
I may as well tell her the whole truth and nothing but the truth before her fist-gavel makes a reappearance. “I can’t stop thinking about it. Abouther.”
“Aha! I knew it.” She points an accusatory finger at the screen. “Iknewyou liked her.”
I shake my head. “Not before. Kelsey kind of hated me, and I wasn’t too fond of her either. But we talked things through at dinner, and now I can’t seem to get her out of my head.”
