Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I grinned. “That’s an interesting way to drum up business, Luce. Do you look for the unstable ones on Tinder or is Bumble better for that?”
She picked a peanut from the bowl and chucked it at me. “Shut up.”
Maggie came back a minute later. “Anyway, what were we talking about?”
My smile spread to a full-fledged grin. “Lucy dating her patients.”
“I am not dating my patients!”
“No, she’s not,” Maggie said. “She’s counseling them.” My sister pulled her friend in for a hug, still laughing. “I’m joking, of course. But your dating life does kinda suck, honey. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Lucy sighed. “What dating life?”
“Exactly. Which is why I signed you up for the Twelve Dates of Christmas.”
Lucy and I responded in tandem. “You what?”
“Oh look, there’s Peter now.” Maggie waved, and a guy wearing a shirt and tie with a vest that I hated smiled and walked over.
“Lucy Snow, this is Peter Willet. He’s your first date for the Twelve Dates of Christmas.” Maggie wiggled her fingers. “You two have fun!”
CHAPTER 2
* * *
Lucy
I couldn’t believe Maggie had roped me into this. Peter might have been handsome, but all he’d done during our date was talk about his boring accounting job.
He took a sip of his drink and gestured toward me. “So, seriously, if you ever need any tricks for deductions, I’m your man.”
Maybe he and I could barter services. Peter could be my accountant while I counseled him on how to actually get a life. Maggie had dropped the ball with this one.
We were pretty close to the bar, which meant I was sure Tucker could overhear much of my “date” with Peter. I’d noticed Maggie’s hot younger brother glancing over in my direction from time to time. Pretty sad that I’d been locked in on that throughout this date.
At one point Tucker held up a piece of paper with something written in black Sharpie.
Tell him the only thing you want deducted is this dumb date.
Thankfully, Peter’s back was facing Tucker. I did everything I could to stifle my laughter as I choked on my drink.
“Is something wrong?” Peter asked.
“No.” I coughed. “Sorry. Went down the wrong chute. All is well.”
“Ah. Okay.” He smiled. “As I was saying, the latest update for Excel has these new features that…” His words faded into the distance as my attention traveled to Tucker once again.
He held up another sheet.
Tell him the only thing he Excels at is boring the snot out of you.
I giggled under my breath and forced my attention toward Peter, despite not processing a word he said.
A few minutes later, Tucker held up a napkin.
Wink if you need help and want out.
I tried to tough it out a little longer, but eventually I decided life was too short to endure dates like this.
The next time I caught Tucker’s eye, I winked at him.
It took all of thirty seconds for him to make his way over.
“Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to be Lucy Snow, would you?”
“I am.” I faked a look of surprise. “Why?”
“Someone is trying to reach you. Is your cell phone dead or something?”
“Oh goodness.” I reached into my purse and pretended to check the battery life. “Yes. I think it is.” I stood. “Will you excuse me one moment, Peter?”
“Certainly.”
I walked over to the bar and pretended to use Tucker’s phone to take the fake call.
After enough time had passed, I walked back over to Peter at our table. “I’m so sorry.” I frowned. “I have a bit of a family issue I need to attend to. I’m going to have to cut this date short.”
He stood, a look of disappointment on his face. “I’m sorry to hear that. Hope everything is okay?”
“It will be.” After I’m able to get away from you.
“Well, I certainly hope we can see each other again.”
“Thank you for tonight,” I said, without committing to anything else. Then I disappeared to a small room located behind the bar.
A minute later, Tucker peeked in. “You good?”
“Yes.” I sighed. “Thank you for that.”
“I’m keeping an eye out for when he leaves. You can come back when the coast is clear.”
As I nodded, I took a moment to appreciate how beautiful Maggie’s brother was. Dressed in a fitted black T-shirt that showcased his muscular arms and dark jeans that accentuated his ass, I had to admire the handsome man he’d grown into. He had a few tats on his forearms that only added to his appeal, and his once-short brown hair had grown out a bit. He had just the right amount of chin scruff, which I imagined felt really good against a woman’s skin.
“Cool.” I cleared my throat. “Thank you, Tucker.”
Ten minutes later, he came back to let me know it was safe to return.
When I found a seat at the bar, waiting for me was one of my favorite drinks. “How did you know I wanted a tequila and soda with lime?”