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“That form was for the dates that worked best for you, not necessarily the dates you would get Did you receive a welcome email from us? That should’ve confirs”
I try to smile like a normal, relaxed—competent—person “I did, but I skimmed it pretty fast” A forced, aard chuckle leaves my lips
“Your appointment is actually for Friday with … Clarissa,” Brittni says “From nine until ten Does that work?”
Friday s at Cherry Pie Pizza—my restaurant and one of my only sources of joy in the world—is always packed But, even if it did work, I’d bow out This is obviously a sign
“Actually, it doesn’t” I back slowly toward the door “My schedule is kind of wonky I’ll just call tomorrow and work it out when I have my calendar in hand”
“Okay That’s fine We—oh, hi, Dane”
Brittni’s voice oozes sweetness My gaze follows hers to the right Standing next to the computer is him—Dane McDaniels
My oes dry
Dane is practically a unicorn living in our midst He’s the epitoht up at the pizza shop at least once a night Wole, where he was last spotted, and if anyone has been lucky enough to get him as a trainer
Men, on the other hand, gripe about the way he parks at the gas station, how much he runs—shirtless— and definitely about how ives them any more than a curt nod
His habits don’t help his reputation You’d think the owner of Cherry Falls Fitness would be involved in the social functions of the town He isn’t One would think that so as hiirlfriend Not him—as far as anyone knows And anyone with an ounce of corees—even the o out for pizza or a beer on occasion with friends Nope Not Dane McDaniels
The man is nearly a recluse An insanely attractive, business-owning, help-this-old-lady-get-her-cat-fro smile recluse
It’s almost not fair to humanity
And it’s also not fair that on the day I have a Snickers bar sled ed upat me
I gulp
“What’s going on up here?” he asks, his voice pure honey It’s thick and slow and ooey
The question is obviously for Brittni, but his attention—an intense yet coaze—sits directly on me
I try not to squirm in my sneakers
“She thought she booked Clarissa today,” Brittni says, all too happy to fill him in “Clarissa isn’t in this afternoon Kaylee’s appointment is on Friday”