Love at First Date Read Free

instead. Maybe Gina wasn’t the reason I felt rejected.
    Her hands tightened around my own. “Ellen, what’s going on?”
    My shoulders rose and my throat burned. “I’m not sure. I was talking to my mom earlier and she mentioned Bob, Frank . . . and my dad.”
    Her eyes grew large. “In what context?”
    I blinked back tears and swiped at my nose. “Basically, she said how she screwed up with them and I shouldn’t make the same mistake. It shouldn’t bother me.” Logically, I knew this. My dad had been absent most of my life and I didn’t owe him one ounce of loyalty. “But she said that my dad didn’t count. Since she hadn’t married him, he didn’t count.”
    Rachel leaned on her elbow and gave me a stern look. “Of course he counts. I’m sure it’s just her way of getting over it. Since he left her and all.”
    “He left me, too. And I’m not the one who chose him. She did.” My eyes burned and the hole in my chest ached. I shook my head. “She picked someone who didn’t want kids, who wasn’t compatible with her. When I marry, it has to be to a guy who’s stable and in it for the long run. I have to know everything about him to make sure I choose someone who would never desert me. Ever.”
    She blew out a breath. “If we only had a crystal ball.” Her lips tightened. “Then, I’d have seen Jeremy’s true colors and not wasted two years of my life on that slime bag.”
    “Exactly,” I said, wishing we could see the future and know if it would all work out. “All I can do is take every step possible to make sure we’re compatible so it will last.”
    “Even so, you’re not going to get a sealed guarantee,” Rachel said, glumly.
    Knock. Knock.
    We both jumped as someone rapped on her front door. Dillon, no doubt.
    Turning back to me, she said, “And with that cheery thought . . . ”
    “Sorry. I’m ruining your first date in six months.” I groaned, then picked up Chester’s leash off the counter and waved toward the front door. “Ignore my dark side and have fun. And don’t worry about your mutt either. I’ll keep him entertained.”
    She gave me a quick hug, started toward the door, then turned back. “I can cancel if you’re upset.”
    “No way. I’m fine.” I held up the leash. “Chester and I will go for a walk and get some fresh air.”
    “Thanks, Ellen. We’ll find the right guy for us. Or, at least die trying.” She winked at me, then opened the front door and greeted her hot date.
    Unable to resist a peek, I leaned sideways to see if he looked as good in person as he did in his beach photo. Sandy-brown hair, broad build, and that dynamic smile. Ooh, baby.
    After a polite exchange between them, the front door closed, and all was quiet in the apartment. Chester trotted over to the door with his tail high, sniffed at the weather strip, then started whining.
    Once I heard car doors slam outside, I clipped the leash onto Chester’s collar. He stopped whining, nudged my hand with his wet nose, and looked up at me expectantly.
    “It’s just you and me tonight, chew monster.” I watched his brown ears prick up. “If you meet any pretty pups tonight, do me a favor. Don’t romance them if you’re not going to follow through. Being abandoned is no picnic.”
    Arf! Arf!
    As Chester wagged his tail, my lips curved up slightly. His cheerful yips seemed to tell me not to worry. My mouth thinned when I realized this was what my life had come to. Getting advice on men from a four-month-old miniature beagle who, let’s face it, hadn’t exactly been around the block.
    ****
    After a twenty-minute walk, I arrived back at Rachel’s apartment with her pint-sized dog who’d felt the need to lift his leg at practically every tree we passed. He’d even attempted to water a parked SUV’s rear tire but I’d managed to tug him away in time.
    I shut the front door, unhooked Chester’s leash from his collar, and dropped the apartment key onto the wooden entry table. Setting my