My Last Blind Date Read Free

by Kenny G rang out. I pressed talk. “Keep your hands off my cell phone.”
    Ellen giggled with glee. “Plugged that in while you were at lunch. One day you’ll be forever in love. Maybe it’ll happen tonight. You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
    “Yes, actually.” I dropped onto my bed, threw an arm over my eyes, and felt Chester nuzzle his way under my elbow. “I’m sorry, El. I just can’t.”
    “Oh, no. You’re going.” Her voice went from sweet to stern. “Henry says you not only have to go, but you’d better have a blast after what he sacrificed.”
    A wet tongue slid across my cheek. “What do you mean?”
    “We called The Boat House and changed our reservation to your name.”
    I sat upright. “What?”
    “It’s Valentine’s Day, my dear.” Dishes clanked and it sounded like the water was running. “Everything’s booked.”
    “I’m not gonna steal your romantic holiday evening. No way.”
    “Oh, yes you are.” Her tone told me not to mess with her. “I gave you our rez because I love you and I want you to be as happy as I am. I’m sorry you had a few lousy dates, but it’s time to try again. Take another risk. That’s how you’ll find your true love. Your Henry.”
    Tears sprang into my eyes. How could she sound so sure? I’d hit thirty-years-old last month. Finding eternal love or even a decent soul mate felt hopeless. Chester cuddled into my lap and I set my hand on his warm, soft head.
    An awkward silence filled the line.
    “Promise me you’ll give this guy a chance.” Her voice lowered an octave. “Not like the last one.”
    I sniffed and grabbed a tissue. “What?”
    “I heard how you cut your date short with Timothy because you had to go home and clean out your freakoid dog’s litter box.”
    “Unlike you, I live in an apartment and work all day. He loves his litter box.” My eyes were moist, but I managed to chuckle. “You know Chester won’t go unless his area is pristine.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Fine.” I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed. “I’ll meet your Ten and have an open mind with the mystery man. Can you at least give me a clue? Does he have hygiene issues I should know about? Bodies buried in his backyard?”
    “No way.” Ellen’s voice was firm. “You forget how well I know you, Rachel Price. If I give you one detail, you’ll twist it into a reason to stay home and clean your refrigerator.”
    “Litter box.”
    “Exactly.” She paused. “Just show up at The Boat House at 7:30 p.m. sharp, smile, and give love a chance.”
    Love? With a stranger? Not likely.
    Then, I remembered that Ellen had been single six months ago. Something stirred inside me. A flittering feeling that felt like…hope.
    ****
    Being a woman of my word, the cab dropped me off at The Boat House in Old Sacramento at seven-thirty in the evening. I asked the driver to come back at nine o’clock sharp. After meeting my blind suitor, I’d no doubt get depressively drunk and I figured an hour and a half was my good faith limit for disasterville.
    Lots of faith in love.
    Yeah, that was me.
    I walked up to the hostess, avoiding even a glimpse of all the lovey-dovey couples in the waiting area of this swanky restaurant. “Reservation for Rachel Price.”
    The hostess eyed my outfit. I’d worn all black to suit my mood. She, on the other hand, wore a bright pink dress and fingered her way down the list on her podium.
    “The other party is already here. Right this way.” She led me to a table in the rear with a scenic view of the river.
    I spotted the back of my date’s head and evaluated. Short, sandy-brown hair. Collared shirt. No red flags—yet. He probably had long pointy canines he’d sink into my jugular.
    “Here you are. Marcia will be your server and she’ll be right with you.” The hostess gestured to the empty seat and Mystery Guy stood to pull out my chair.
    Impressive. I moved to sit down and prepared for the bite. “Thank you. I….” My voice trailed