Truth or Date Read Free

cake, food, and decorations for Chris’s bon voyage bash? I know it’s my turn, but it’d really help me out.”
    A few phone calls weren’t all that time consuming, but this request felt like something more. “Sure, I can do that.”
    Her face lit up. “Thanks. You rock.”
    “Not so fast.” I made an eh-eh-eh sound. “Truth or Dare?”
    “For real?” She flipped her light brown hair over her shoulder, then crossed her arms. “Fine, Truth.”
    “Are you avoiding Chris for any specific reason?” I said, using a sultry tone. Chris Bradley was super hot and a serial dater. Maybe since her last date had been such a meltdown she’d had a little fling with him.
    “No! Of course not.” She gasped. “I can’t believe you even thought that.”
    “Just checking.” I set the top back on the crystal candy jar, then laughed, holding my hands up in surrender. “Not like it’d be an insult to hook up with Chris Bradley.”
    I pictured his sunny California tanned muscles, brown hair lightened from the sun, and baby blue eyes framed in dark lashes. No, dating Chris Bradley wouldn’t be a hardship at all. My belly danced at the idea, then my face heated as I mentally cringed. Sure, I’d always known Chris was hot, but I’d never thought of him in that way. My new single girl perspective must’ve clicked into overdrive.
    Rach stared at me pointedly, showing she’d guessed where my brain had gone. “Maybe you should ask him out. I hear he’s not dating Cyndi anymore.”
    “Me?” I shook my head, adamantly. “No way.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “Why not? Chris is sweet. And you thought he was good enough for me.”
    “Yeah, but I’m not interested in the casual dating scene. I’m looking for a guy I can settle with and you know as well as I do that Chris never brings the same girl to a company party twice.”
    “Dating’s not against the law, you know.” She turned toward the door, then flipped back around. “You should give him a try. I totally see you guys together.”
    My mouth dropped open. “Do you want me wasting more of my golden years with another commitment-phobe?”
    She pursed her lips. “Uh, I think the golden years are in our fifties.”
    “Whatever.” I pulled out my keyboard tray to finish my work and leave. “I made a vow not to waste my time on guys who aren’t looking for a serious relationship and that’s a plan I’m sticking to. I’ll order his cake for you, but that’s it.”
    “You’ll be missing out.” Turning around to leave, her voice sang the words as if issuing a grave warning.
    Wrapping my arms around my chest, I watched her saunter down the hall and wondered how she’d gotten me all riled up.
    I spent the rest of the afternoon emptying never-ending boxes at the condo—moving the rest of my stuff from the apartment went smoothly, thanks to George being at work. For dinner, I ordered a pizza but Kristen opted to stick with her protein shakes which, in my opinion, were void of any flavor.
    While eating/drinking our perspective meals, Kristen told me she’d left a message for Ethan and was waiting to hear back from him. Then, she and I battled over the TV remote, finally compromising on a historical documentary (her choice, such a snoozer) and then a reality dating show (my choice, completely engaging). While watching twelve hopeful guys compete over one girl, I suddenly pictured myself as the bachelorette with Chris and an imaginary Ethan as the final candidates vying for my attention.
    My body shuddered.
    Rachel’s absurd suggestion that I date Chris Bradley must’ve affected me on a molecular level because I’d certainly never partake in a dating game. Between a man interested in a lifelong commitment and the other going for short-term fun? No contest. I’d only take a chance on Ethan.
    Assuming he called Kristen back, of course.
    The fact that my mind had even entertained the idea of Chris? Ridiculous. He could be the sweetest, most undeniably handsome man