Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books (Books #1-24) (26 page)

I lined up a few bottles of laundry detergent. “Did the shipment of gum come in?”

“Yes, I left the boxes behind the counter so you can check them in. I’ll put them out when you’re done if you want.”

“Great,” I said.

I walked over to the counter and began opening the small cardboard boxes. The tiny shop attached to the laundromat was one of my favorite things about being the manager of Fluff and Stuff. I got to choose the things we ordered. Some of it was run-of-the-mill, like gum, but I always ordered strange and unique flavors. I was looking forward to trying out the grape mango flavor that I’d had added to the shipment. As I began sorting through the gum and checking the packages against the invoice I hummed under my breath.

“What has you so cheerful?” Enid asked. She flipped a page in her book.

“Am I cheerful?”

“You only hum when you’re cheerful.”

“I have a date today,” I said. I smiled as I checked off the last package of gum.

“Really?” Enid asked. “With Max?”

“With Max? What? Of course not. We’re just friends,” I said. I stared hard at the invoice in front of me.

“Oh, my mistake,” Enid said. “I just assumed with the way you two are that all of that heat had finally boiled over.”

“Enid, you have no idea what you’re talking about. There’s no heat between us. When I think of Max, I shiver, because there’s no heat—at all,” I said.

“You shiver?” Enid asked. Her eyes flickered with amusement as she looked at me. “If you say so. Who is the date with, then?”

“It’s with a man I’ve never met before. I used an online dating service.” I watched Enid for her reaction, expecting it to be like Max’s.

“That’s a really good idea for you,” Enid said. “Everyone is doing online dating these days. It’s so much easier to meet people.”

“You don’t think it’s weird?” I asked.

From the door of the shop, I heard Max’s voice. “Tell her it’s weird, please.”

I shot him a look of annoyance. He began browsing through the items in the small shop. He tended to hang out with me at Fluff and Stuff if he had a day off.

“It’s not weird. I’ve done it before,” Enid said.

“Really?” I asked.

“Sure. When I first started dating I was a little shy. My friend was into these dating sites, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I started chatting with a guy and thought he was pretty interesting. We agreed to meet for coffee. I was really looking forward to it. When I showed up for coffee, he was already there waiting for me. Pulled out my chair, spoke politely—it was wonderful.”

“Sounds good,” I said. I folded the last two shirts in the pile.

“It started out good,” Enid said.

“Uh-oh, now the truth comes out,” Max said. I threw a sock at him. He caught it and threw it right back.

“He wasn’t a bad guy but he was really intense. He started talking to me about loyalty and how he expected commitment from the get-go. It just wasn’t what I wanted at the time,” Enid said.

“Hm, a man who wanted commitment and a serious relationship right off the bat—sounds horrifying,” I said. My words were dripping with sarcasm.

Max responded by rolling his eyes.

“Just remember that I warned you,” he said.

“I guess we’ll find out. I have a date this afternoon,” I said.

“That was fast.”

“Good luck,” Enid said. “I’m sure that you’ll have a great time.”

“Yes, good luck,” Max said. He held up a pack of the new flavor of gum and then tossed the change down on the counter to pay for it. I nodded and swept the change into the register. He waved lightly as he walked out of the laundromat.

“Someone’s jealous,” Enid sung out.

“What?” I asked.

“Max. He’s so mopey. He’s not happy about this date you have.”

“I doubt that.” My gaze settled on the door that had swung shut behind him. It made no sense to me that he would be jealous, but I had to admit that it brought a faint smile to my lips.

I worked through the morning rush with Enid. There were many people dropping off clothes to be laundered and picking up clothes that were done. By the time noon rolled around, it had quieted down again.

“I’m going to head home to change,” I said. “Are you okay here?”

“Sure,” Enid said. “Have fun, Sam.”

Chapter 7

I already had my outfit picked out. Not too fancy, not too casual. It was a light blue summer dress that I felt emphasized my skin tone well. The linen material kept it casual, but the lace detailing on the hem made it just a little dressy.

I drove to Jay’s with my heart thumping wildly in my chest. I really had no idea what to expect. Would he be nice? Would he be as sweet as his profile made him sound? When I parked in Jay’s parking lot, there were a lot of cars. Everyone was arriving to have lunch. I sat behind the wheel for some time. This was it. This was the moment of truth. Was I going to go inside? Was I going to run back home and hide? I looked into the rearview mirror with determination.

“I deserve to be happy. This will be fun.”

My reflection looked back at me skeptically. I laughed a little at myself and stepped out of the car.

As I walked inside the cafe, I glanced at everyone I passed. I wondered if any of them could be him. I didn’t recognize any as matching his profile picture.

As I waited to be seated I searched the dining area for any sign of his already being there.

“Is anyone waiting?” I asked. “For Samantha?”

“No, sorry,” the waitress said.

“Okay, then I guess he’s not here yet,” I said. “A table for two.”

“Right this way,” the waitress directed me to an empty table. It had a good view of the front door. “I’ll be back to get your order,” she said.

I sat back in my chair and tried not to pass out from nervousness. The soft music playing from behind the counter was a welcome distraction from the thoughts revolving in my mind. My toes curled inside my flats as I contemplated bolting for the door. He was late; I had every right to leave. Maybe if I did, I could save face.

The clink of a glass against a plate drew my attention. I looked over to see a couple sitting a few tables away from me. He reached out and lovingly caressed the back of her hand. I didn’t notice what they looked like, or what they were having for lunch; all I saw was that caress. That was what I wanted. It was worth waiting a few more minutes for.

I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me. This was a brand new experience—full of potential. If I left, I would never know what might have been.

Subtle clanging drew me from my thoughts. The door of the cafe had swung open, jostling the bell above it. In walked one of the most amazing creatures I had ever laid eyes on. His chocolate brown hair was slicked back from his bright blue eyes. The button-down shirt he wore did nothing to hide his washboard abs and broad chest. I could not look away as he began to walk toward me. For a moment my heart soared at the idea that it was him—this was the man I was going to share lunch with. Then it raced with panic as I asked myself, if he was so perfect, how would he see me?

I drew a deep breath and was just about to muster up a greeting, when he walked right past me to the next table. A man stood up to greet him. They shook hands and then they began discussing something about oil prices. Disappointed and mildly relieved, I slumped back into my chair. The waitress walked back over to me with her notepad in hand, her smile shining.

“Can I get you anything yet?” she asked.

“Just a water for now.”

“Alright then,” she said. She reached for the extra water glass on the table to take it away.

“I’m meeting someone,” I said. She drew her hand away from the glass.

“Sorry.”

I offered her a brief smile. Minutes were ticking by. A minute, when you’re sitting alone in a restaurant waiting for a date, could become a form of torture. Each second that slipped by made me more aware of all of the reasons why a man simply wouldn’t show up. Maybe he had sobered up and realized whom he had agreed to date. Maybe he had peeked in the window and had thought I looked much better in my picture. Or maybe he never planned to come in the first place and all of this was some kind of sick sad joke to him.

Just as I was about to bolt right out of my chair, I heard the clanging of the bell over the door again. I turned to see a tall and lanky man with curly red hair. He was not my usual type, but he was handsome in his own way. I smiled at him as he walked toward me. I didn’t remember his profile picture looking anything like this man, but maybe it was an old picture. He smiled back at me and nodded. Then he walked up to the counter.

“I’ll have a chicken sandwich to go,” he said.

I realized he wasn’t the man I was waiting for. When I turned back toward the door, the waitress was standing in front of my table again.

“Refill on that water, miss?” she asked. I pursed my lips. I could tell from her expression that she didn’t think anyone else was coming.

“No, thanks.”

She nodded and walked away. I grabbed my purse. I’d had enough of waiting and embarrassing myself.

Chapter 8

As I stood up from the table, the door swung open once more. The man who stepped in was short, with a pudgy stomach. His hair was thin on top and a little too long over his ears. Glasses were perched on top of his long sloped nose and his rounded cheeks had faint scars of past acne on them. I was about to walk past him when he looked directly at me.

“Samantha?” he asked.

My heart skipped a beat. This was him? This was the man I was supposed to have lunch with? He was not anything like I had expected. I knew in that moment that I could pretend Samantha wasn’t my name. Or I could act offended that he was late and simply leave. But when I looked into his pale green eyes I recognized the insecurity there. He was as nervous as I had been.

“Yes, I’m Samantha,” I said. “Are you Richard?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I’m late. I took a taxi and then the driver went to the wrong cafe. And then I got out of the taxi and almost left my wallet in the back seat. I thought you would be gone,” he said.

“It’s okay. Why don’t we sit down?”

“Great. I mean, if you’re sure? I’ll understand if you want to go.”

I felt a sense of sadness for Richard. He didn’t seem to have the slightest bit of confidence. “I want to stay.”

When we walked over to the table he tried to pull out my chair for me. The leg of the chair got stuck behind the leg of the table. He jerked it hard, nearly knocking over my water glass and almost taking out a waitress that was walking past.

“Sorry.”

“Thank you,” I said. I sat down in the chair and tried to hide my amusement.

Richard sat down across from me. His long fingers fluttered over his suit jacket nervously. He was overdressed for lunch.

“So Richard—”

“I know I don’t look like my profile picture. I wore a hat and I might have used a Photoshap filter or two,” he said. “Most of the dates I meet leave because of that. I’m glad you stayed.”

“Why did you alter your picture?” I asked.

The waitress interrupted us before he could answer.

“Okay, now would you like something to eat?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said. He was obviously flustered. “I guess I’ll have a burger—with cheese, no pickles, no onions—make sure it’s not burnt.”

“You got it,” she said. “And you?” she asked as she looked at me.

He said to me, “Oh no, I should have let you order first. I’m sorry—I just wasn’t thinking straight.”

“It’s fine.” I smiled at him, hoping to put him at ease. “I’ll take the taco salad,” I said to the waitress.

After she walked away, he lifted his eyes back to mine. “About the picture. I just wanted to be given a fair chance. So many women these days base everything on looks. I know it’s a little deceitful, but if no one ever gets to know me then how am I supposed to find anyone?”

“I understand. Not every woman is like that, though. Honesty is important to me,” I said.

“So I blew it already?” he asked.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just mean that the type of woman it sounds like you want to meet would rather you be honest.”

“You’re right.” He shook his head. “I just can’t seem to get this dating thing right.”

“You and me both. It’s really nerve-wracking, isn’t it?’

“I wasn’t even sure if you would be here when I got here,” he said.

“Me either.”

“Well we’ve gotten that far, I guess,” he said. He laughed a little. He really did have a beautiful smile. But I knew from the moment I looked into his eyes that there was nothing between us. I felt no chemistry at all with him.

“Yes, we have,” I said. I wondered if I should tell him the truth before the food was delivered.

“I’m really glad that I’ve had the chance to meet you, Samantha,” he said. “You’re very beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I lowered my eyes shyly. Luckily the food was delivered before I had to say another word.

“This is so awkward,” he said.

“It is, isn’t it?” I said with relief.

“I think that we just need to relax. Let’s talk about—” He stared down at his burger. I noticed the large helping of onions on it.

“Waitress!” He waved his hand in the air. The waitress walked over with a tight smile.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I said no onions.”

“Oh, sorry,” she said. “I’ll just get you another burger.”

“Great, but now I have to wait to eat,” he said. He shook his head. “I don’t understand why it is that when I ask for something clearly, you can’t make a note on your pad or something.”

“It was a mistake, sir, I’m sorry,” the waitress said. I felt bad for her as she walked away. Richard must have noticed the tension in my expression.

“Was I too harsh?” he asked.

“Well, you did ask for no onions.”

“This isn’t going well, is it?”

“I think it’s going as well as could be expected.”

“So you’re not enjoying yourself?” he pressed.

I suddenly realized how unattractive insecurity was—I really hoped that I’d never let my own insecurities show so clearly.

“I’m fine, Richard,” I said, really wanting to put him at ease.

Chapter 9