Page 2 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
Then again, women aren’t the only ones. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”
“Then, it’s settled,” Clara, one of the original book club members announces, slapping her hand on the table in front of her like a gavel.
“What if she doesn’t pick an athlete or a baseball player or something that fits him for her book boyfriend?” Nora questions.
“Then, whatever book she picks, we’ll just have to find a way to make it work,” Gwen insists, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Clara focuses on Nora, inquiring about her granddaughter, Chloe. “Do you think Chloe could help us out since they are best friends?”
“I’m sure Chloe would love to help,” Nora answers in lieu of her granddaughter. “What do you need from her?”
“We just need her to make sure Layla doesn’t miss our next book club meeting so we can follow through with our plan.”
“We can handle that,” she affirms, offering me a secretive smile I happily return. “All three of us will be here.”
Holding my wine glass up as if to toast Nora, my mind races with scenarios of how this will play out.
I’ve gotta get Levi to agree to the blind date first. This will be fun.
Chapter 1
Layla
“You don’t think they’re all out of control?” I ask, glancing at Chloe.
“They absolutely are, but I no longer have anything to worry about. I have my real life book boyfriend,” Chloe says, smirking.
“Yeah, but you don’t count with this whole book boyfriend thing.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks, her blue eyes bright with faux challenge. “I went on a blind date.”
Glancing at her, she fights to keep a straight face even before I speak. “They set you up with Scotty, not Beck. You found Beck all on your own. That doesn’t bode well for me.”
Her head falls back in laughter. “Scotty is great though, isn’t he?”
“Of course, and so is his husband, George, but–”
Holding her hand up, she interrupts, “Doesn’t matter, they’re not going to attempt to set me up anymore, so I’m in the clear.”
“You are in the clear,” I reiterate for emphasis and suck my lower lip between my teeth, and nervously releasing it. “They wouldn’ttry to set me up either. Would they? I’m not even on their radar,” I claim, hoping saying the words will make it true.
She laughs. “You may attempt to be invisible, but…” she pauses for emphasis, “You’re number one on my grandma’s list since I met Beck.”
“I know, and that’s part of the reason I’ve been on edge at the last few book clubs. It’s like my time is almost up.”
“It doesn’t help that you weren’t at the last book club, so absolutely anything could’ve happened and we don’t have a clue.”
“Gee, thanks,” I grumble, deadpan. “I was sick. The flu has been going around at school and sometimes my body can only handle so much before it caves. Besides, they probably didn’t even notice I was missing.”
She chuckles. “Keep telling yourself that.”
A groan leaves my lips, my shoulders sagging. “Maybe we should skip.”
“Now, you want to miss?”
“You’ve got me worried. Do you know something I don’t?”
“No. It’s just a feeling, but my grandmother asked if we were coming tonight and she never asks.”
