A Twist of Date Read Free Page B

counted on each finger. “Brad. Paul. Mike. Marcus—”
    “Everyone’s had relationships that don’t work out. So, what?” I pursed my lips as Matt’s words echoed through my head. “You think I’m just in love with being in love?”
    “Yes.” Patti’s brows scrunched as she yanked her short hair, so hard it was a wonder it didn’t all come out by the roots. “I can’t begin to describe how frustrating it is watching you do this to yourself.”
    My eyes widened. “I’m not doing anything to myself. Brad left me.”
    “Yeah, but you fall for each guy before you’ve even gotten to know him, Mel. Your focus is preventing him from leaving, not whether or not you really want to be with him.”
    At Patti’s harsh words, a tear slipped down my cheek. “Oh, my . . .”
    “It’s a definitive pattern.” Patti dropped her hands, took a breath, then reached for her mug again. “One you need to change.”
    “Apparently so.” I sniffed.
    “I love you, Mel.” Patti sounded uncharacteristically soft. “I don’t want to watch you go through this again.” 
    “Neither do I.” I dropped onto our living room sofa, my eyes burning as I fought the tears back. Maybe I had too much of my mom in me to ever make a relationship work.
    Then, I shook my head. No way. Brad had left, not me. I was nothing like my mother. I peeked up at Patti who looked uncomfortable with my display of emotion.
    Finally, she came around the couch, sat, and awkwardly put her arm around me. “If it’s worth anything, I think you deserve better than that wannabe-Fabio anyway.”
    I leaned my head on her shoulder. “He was fun.”
    “So is a dog.” She shrugged, causing my face to bounce up and down against her. “But they’re less trouble.”
    I sat up, frowning. “I can’t live like you, and be a hermit the rest of my life.”
    Patti set her mug on the coffee table, then pointed an unpolished nail at me. “I date when the mood strikes, but you’ve gone through practically every single man in Sacramento.”
    “Not true.” I straightened my spine, thinking of Matt. He was single, lived in Sacramento, and gave me goose bumps at the faintest touch on my hands. Yumzy. Shaking my head, I cleared my thoughts of Matt, and twisted to face Patti dead on. “You think you have all the answers?”
    She patted my head. “I can see the obvious.”
    Batting her hand away, I scoffed. “Well, if it’s so crystal clear to you, start making my dating decisions.”
    “Huh?”
    Ha. I’d shocked Patti speechless, which was practically impossible to do. “I’m clearly dating all wrong my way, so from now on I’ll follow your brilliant advice. Sound good?”
    Patti stood, then studied me, as if considering it. “Like you’d listen to me.”
    I pushed up off the couch and crossed my arms, challenging her. “I would.”
    Patti shook her head, dismissively. “Yeah, right.”
    My forehead creased. “I said I would listen, and I will. My word is my word.”
    Patti paced the room. “If I were to put in the work for you, I’d need to know you’d follow through.”
    The nerve of Patti not to trust my word. We’d been friends since junior high! But, whatever. I raised my right hand, anyway. “I do solemnly swear—”
    “Pfft. Get real.” She waved a hand in the air, then turned her back on me. “One hottie comes along, and you’d revert.”
    I paused, trying to picture the guy, and wondering if he could be husband material. Oh, man. When had my falling in love gear shifted into overdrive? I seriously did need help.
    “See?” She gave me a pointed look. “I’m willing to help you find the right man, but I need collateral to guarantee you’ll stick to my guidelines.”
    “Fine.” I followed her into my room, and scanned around. Nothing here but the dresser I’d had growing up, the mismatched nightstand with the paint peeling off, and the Target bookshelf holding stacks of People , US , and Cosmopolitan . Would Patti seriously hold my