She wasn’t surprised, but she hurt realizing how deeply Dex feltand knowing she couldn’t return those feelings. Since Grace had first realized,when they were younger, how much Dex cared for her, she’d done her best not toencourage any thoughts that they could be together in any other manner than asfriends. She’d grown up with Dex, and they’d had so many awesome adventurestogether, experiences that were happy, sad, and sometimes strangely fun. Shetruly loved Dex, but not with the same sexual intimacy she needed from Brent.
“We should help her find someone.” He glanced over his shoulder ashe slid the milk into the refrigerator.
“Dex can find her own dates.”
“You want her to be happy, don’t you?” He raised his eyebrows andstared at her.
She hung the reusable grocery bags on the peg by the door in thegarage. “Of course I do.” But it had to be with someone just as special as Dex.Was there anyone else out there like that? “I guess I could probably round upone or two women to set her up with.” She had no idea who to call. Dex waspretty much her only gay friend.
He turned and swept Grace into his arms again. “You don’t sound sosure about that.”
“Oh, no. I’ve got this.” She said it like it would be the easiestthing in the world to achieve.
“Great. I can’t wait to meet her.”
She closed her eyes and melted into him. Brent wasn’t the guy whosimply nodded and agreed with everything Grace said. She liked the fact that hepushed her like no other person ever had, but he had no idea how huge the taskwas that he’d just put on her to-do list.
* * *
Grace flipped through her phone as she sat behind the front deskat the gym. She’d spotted one of the part-timers who’d had to go on break. Shewaved at one or two regulars as they came through the door, but it was early inthe afternoon, and the gym wasn’t super busy yet. The fake profile she’d set upfor Dex on Tinder had been hot and sweet. She’d been surprised at the number ofresponses she’d received. Single tall, dark, and beautiful women must be rareon the site because Dex was in big demand.
She swiped to the left multiple times. “Too cute. Too sexy. Toohot.” She halted the automatic motion taking over her thumb when she came uponthe first candidate. “Okay, Ms. Elena Edwards.” She stared at a picture of thewoman with blond hair highlighted with magenta and read through the profile.Twenty-five, hates sports, loves reality TV, and doesn’t eat anything but redmeat. “Bingo.” She swiped the profile right, and the message page popped up.She quickly typed.
Hey,would love to meet you for drinks this week if you’re up for it.
A message immediately returned with, Def, where and when?
Byron’s,8pm Tonight.
Seeyou then, gorgeous.
Grace hit the End button and continued with her search. Ugh. This wasgoing to be easier than she thought.
All the women seemed to be conveniently available on short notice,which might have been telling. But availability was the reason they were on thedating app in the first place. After scheduling the last one, she slipped herphone back into her bag, completely satisfied with her choices. If these didn’twork out, she’d introduce her to her friend Ruby as a last resort.
The part-timer came back from break, and Grace headed back to theoffice to wrap up a few last-minute things before heading home to change forher dates. She hadn’t told any of the women what she was doing. If they had aproblem with it, they’d definitely be out of the running.
* * *
Grace slid into a barstool at the end of the bar she and Brentfrequented often, said hello to the bartender, and ordered a club soda withlime. She wanted to be perfectly coherent while talking to these women tonight.Dex was her best friend, and she didn’t want anyone to hurt her. She planned tobe extra careful to make sure that didn’t happen.
She’d set up three meetings, total, over the span of four hours.She’d given herself time to have a conversation with each of the women to seehow they would fit with Dex as well as to weed out any catfish crazies orpossible serial killers. None of them would be a perfect fit. In fact, she wassure Dex would absolutely hate them all, since she wasn’t a fan of blind dates.But she’d told Brent she’d try, and that’s exactly what she was doing.
Grace tapped impatiently on the bar as she waited on the barstoolfor Suzanne, the first woman, to show up. She was late, which wouldn’t beacceptable on a date with Dex. She was always punctual and expected others tobe as well. When she finally appeared, Grace noticed she was prettier than herprofile picture, which might present a problem. But after watching her at thebar, she knew it wouldn’t. Suzanne was skeptical at first, but when Grace heldup two one-hundred-dollar bills and offered to pay for the meal, she’d agreed.
As soon as Elena, the second woman, saw the two hundred dollars,she was all in. She was weirdly happy to be in on the surprise and thought itwould be an awesome adventure.
The third had bailed before she’d gotten halfway through herexplanation. So, she was left with only two, quirky and desperate. That wouldhave to do for the first two dates. The third would be Ruby, who Grace knewwould turn out to be nothing more than a good time if Dex would let it happen.
Chapter Six
It was almost seven when Dex left her car with the valet atMastro’s Steakhouse. She’d made it with a few minutes to spare. She would’veliked to be early, but Grace had FaceTimed her while she was getting ready andobjected to her first outfit of slacks and a sweater, stating it was toocasual. They’d gone through half a dozen more before she’d approved the off-the-shoulder,wide-leg black jumpsuit with minimal accessories. Grace had suggested a dropnecklace and earrings as well, but Dex wasn’t a fan of jewelry
