Page 27 of Pity Party

“You remember a booger-eater, but not one of the most popular guys in our class?” I grab my purse and head to the door.

“That’s my story and I’m sticking to it,” she says in such a way as to let me know she’s still holding a grudge for the lack of quality male attention we received during our formative years.

“I’m having lunch with Tim today,” I finally tell her.

“What?! Why didn’t you tell me that right away? That was your lead, not how Anna forced you into signing up for Catch.”

“Tim was on Catch. That’s how we got to talking.” I run down the stairs of my building before stepping out onto Main Street. My apartment is above the yarn shop that’s a block away from Bride’s Paradise.

“Tim Ferris is on a dating app?”

“I’m on a dating app,” I remind her.

“Yeah, but Tim was like a god at school.”

I interrupt. “So you do remember him?”

“Of course I remember him. You had a huge crush on him sophomore year and I had a crush on him junior year. How does he look?”

I walk through the door of Rosemary’s Bakery and quickly signal to Esmé that I’ll have my usual. That chocolate chip scone was not repeatable. Then I tell Paige, “He looks like himself, only older. We’re meeting at the diner. You should stop by and have lunch, too.”

“You want me to crash your date with Tim?” She says this like it’s something she wouldn’t have come up with on her own.

I hand Esmé a ten while replying, “You would’ve shown up even if I hadn’t asked you.”

“Iwasgoing to have lunch there anyway.”

“Oh, really?” I ask. “What time?”

“What time are you meeting Tim?”

“Two,” I lie.

“I was planning on eating at one thirty.”

“You big liar. You never eat that late.” Then I tell her, “I’m meeting Tim at twelve thirty.”

“Oh, thank God. I’d never make it until two. I’ll get there early and find a prime spot to watch you. Should we come up with a signal so I can call you and pretend there’s an emergency?”

“No. I don’t want to be rude. Tim’s moved back to town, so even if we’re not a match, I’m sure I’ll run into him at some point.” After getting my breakfast order, I tell Paige, “I’m heading into work. I’ll see you at lunch.”

After letting myself into the shop, I turn on the lights before going into the back room to enjoy my breakfast. My first appointment is in half an hour, but future brides are known to be early, and I don’t want to leave anyone waiting out front.

I stand up when I hear the bell over the front door ring. See? Early. But when I go out front, I discover it’s not my first appointment, it’s Sammy. “Good morning,” I say while checking out her green sundress. Not all redheads know how to make the most of their coloring, but it looks like Sammy isn’t one of them.

“Good morning,” she says enthusiastically while eyeing my own ensemble. “You look great in pink.”

“You look great in green,” I counter.

“How do you look in red?” she asks while putting her purse under the counter.

“Like a boiled beet.”

“Me too! How about yellow?”

“Like I have a liver complaint,” I tell her. “I bet you look great in purple. That’s one of my favorites.”

“I’ve never bought anything purple.”

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