When the call screen popped up and Grace saw that it was Dexcalling, she immediately answered. “Hey. I’m so sorry about last night.”
“That’s the last blind date I let you set up for me.”
“I really had no idea she had a girlfriend.”
Grace made sure she sounded distinctly surprised as she reachedinto the lower cabinet and took out a skillet. Ruby saw several women on aregular basis, but Grace actually hadn’t known she had a specific girlfriendnow. “Hang on a minute. I’m going to put you on speaker.” She set the phone onthe counter and hit the button. “Can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Did you two at least have a good time? I mean, until thegirlfriend showed up?”
“Yeah. We had a great time. We had some things in common, but I’mnot into sharing.”
“Well, I amsorry about that. I knew she’d been dating a few women, but I really didn’tknow she was involved with anyone specific.” She reached inside therefrigerator and took out a bottle of chardonnay. “Hey. I’m trying to make yourchicken piccata for Brent before he gets back from his parents’ house. Can youhelp me?”
“Um, sure. Do you have chicken, capers, and a lemon?”
“I do.” She let her voice lilt up. She was proud of herself forremembering the ingredients. She’d watched Dex make it for her hundreds oftimes but had never really paid attention to how she did it.
“First you need to pound the chicken flat.”
“The butcher did that for me.”
Dex laughed. “Taking the easy way, eh?”
“Is that bad?” The thought of actually touching the chicken madeher shiver.
“Not gonna lie. I’ve always done that myself, but I’m all forprocess improvement.”
“Okay, what’s next?”
“You’re going to need a couple of eggs and some flour.”
Ingredients she had on hand but hadn’t considered. She took acarton of eggs from the fridge and the flour from the pantry. “Got it.”
“Now Google chickenpiccata.”
“Dex.” She sang the name in a sweet melody.
“You know I’m working now, right?”
“Please, please, pretty please?” Again with the sweet melody.
“All right, but I have to make it quick.”
“Yay.” She squealed into the phone.
“Hang on a sec.” Dex’s voice was muffled, “Mike, take over for mefor a few minutes. I’ll be right back.” Grace heard what sounded like a cardoor slam. “Okay, you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Grace said. She wasn’t much of a cook but waswilling to try anything to please Brent.
Grace followed all Dex’s instructions and managed to somehow getflour all over herself in the process. She’d just finished cleaning up when sheheard the front door close.
“Hold on a minute. Brent’s home.” She met him at the entrance tothe kitchen and fell into his arms as he kissed her. “Say hi to Dex, honey.She’s been on the phone with me while I’ve been fixing dinner.”
“Hey, Dex.”
“Hey, Brent. It sounds like you’re in for a treat tonight. Gracehas been slaving away at this chicken piccata.”
“Yeah? It smells awesome.” He lifted the lid and scooped out aspoonful of sauce. “Tastes awesome too.” He leaned in and kissed Grace again.“What have you two been talking about besides piccata?”
“My disastrous date last night.”
“Isn’t that the third in a row?”
“Wow. Grace has been keeping you up to date on her matchmaking.”
“Who’d you set her up with this time?” Brent asked as he ateanother spoonful of sauce.
“Ruby.”
“Ruby?” He clanged the lid back onto the pan. “Ruby has agirlfriend.”
“I found that out last night when she showed up for dessert.” Dexlaughed.
He chuckled. “Did you get extra whipped cream?”
“Brent.” Grace’s tone sharpened.
Brent pulled his brows together. “Just stating the obvious.”
“I didn’t know they were exclusive,” Grace said softly.
“Apparently, they’re not.” He went to the refrigerator and pulledit open. “She’s not the kind of girl you want to set Dex up with.”
“Thank you, Brent!” Dex’s voice came through the phone loudly.
He took a beer out of the fridge and twisted off the cap. “Listen,Dex. I have a friend at work who I think you might like.”
“No, thanks. I’ve had enough blind dates for the time being.”
“Who are you talking about?” Grace asked. This was a newdevelopment.
“Emma. She’s single, smart, and cute. Perfect for Dex.”
“I thought she was involved.” Grace knew she wasn’t.
“Nope, not since last year.” He set his beer on the table andslipped off his jacket. “How about we have a little get-together here at thehouse, Dex. You come, she comes. If you don’t like her, no harm done.” Heraised his eyebrows at Grace. “We can do that, right, baby?”
“Uh, sure. I guess it’s about time we had a housewarming party.”She was stuck. She couldn’t very well tell him no. She picked up her phone fromthe counter and took it off speaker. “I’ll make all the arrangements and letyou know the date, okay?” She turned away so Brent couldn’t hear the rest ofthe conversation. “You’re going to have to help me with the food.”
“You just made chicken piccata. You’re a champ now.”
“I’m serious, Dex.” Grace’s voice was low and demanding as shewhispered into the phone.
“Okay, sure. Just let me know when.”
“I will. You can count on that. Oh, and thank you for your helptonight.” She wasn’t quite sure how she’d gotten herself roped into this one.
“No worries. I have to get back to work.”
“Bye, Dex.” Grace hit the End button on her phone and slid it ontothe counter before she spun around to Brent and planted her hand on her hip.“Emma? Really?” Emma was probably the last person Grace would pick for Dex. Shewas arrogant and mouthy. The woman had no filter.
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “They both like sports, they’re both alone.Perfect for each other.”
“Women need more in common than sports to date, Brent.”
“It’s a start. What happened to opposites attract? That’s how wegot together.” He tugged her to him. “You hate sports, but you watch them withme anyway. Because you love me.”
She took in a deep breath. “I do, on both counts.”
“And I definitely didn’t
