Date and Dash

by Susan Hatler

  Wow. Trevor was pretty much the most amazing guy I’d ever met. He’d been destitute as a child but he hadn’t let that stop him. Now I felt drawn to him even more. I couldn’t tell if he was interested in me, though. He had opened up to me, bought my coffee and held my hand. But, then again, we were strategizing on how to up the show’s ratings to gain an edge on winning.

  Ginger had been right that I should give Trevor a chance. I frowned, casting my eyes down.

  She always seemed to be right and I was the sister who messed things up.

  “What’s wrong?” Trevor asked.

  My head snapped up. “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “You have this look on your face like something’s bothering you.” He leaned forward slightly, and I was alarmed to realize how vulnerable I felt right now.

  I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. Just thinking about . . . the competition.”

  “Come on.” His voice was gentle and soothing. “You can trust me. I won’t judge. You have to be able to trust me if we have any shot at winning this thing.”

  I hated how sweet his tone was, like he cared about what I had to say. Because it only made the growing feelings I had for him skyrocket. Finally I expelled a long breath of air in a heavy sigh. “I had a disagreement with my sister last night. Kind of related to this whole competition thing.”

  Trevor was quiet for a minute. “Does she not approve of reality shows?”

  He was so off base that I almost laughed. “No . . .”

  “What then?”

  I held my coffee mug with both hands and squirmed in my seat. I couldn’t tell Trevor we’d been discussing him. That would just be too embarrassing. But he was gazing at me so earnestly that I wanted to prove I did trust him too.

  “Ginger didn’t think I should have spent the money on the auction. She’s always bugging me to get savings and I never seem to be able to because there’s always something fun to spend money on.” I bit my lip, thinking of Grammy’s beautiful bracelet. I still wanted it desperately even though my sister didn’t approve. “Ginger always does the right thing. Actually you’d probably get along with her pretty well.”

  Now it was his turn to laugh. “I might be in risk management, but it’s not like I have all of the answers. I just do the best I can.”

  “I don’t.” Tears pricked behind my eyes. “Ginger says I’m too impulsive. And she’s right.

  She’s always right. It makes me feel like such a failure,” I said, unable to believe I’d admitted that to him.

  “Mary Ann . . .” His voice trailed off, then his warm hands wrapped around mine even as I held the mug. I felt the jolt of attraction that I had been trying so hard to ignore, and I wondered if he felt it too. “Please don’t be so hard on yourself. I love your spontaneity. You have a zest for life that I wish I had.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Are you saying you want to be more like me?”

  “Is that so hard to believe?” He chuckled. “You’re pretty terrific. And I’m sure your sister thinks you are, too. Don’t give up on her too soon. Maybe she’ll see things your way one of these days.”

  “I hope so,” I said, my head spinning. All I could focus on was that Trevor had just said I was terrific. I so wanted him to clarify what that meant, but instead I just sat there with my mouth opening and closing like a guppy.

  No one ever took my side. Not since Grammy had died. My parents always saw how logical and responsible Ginger was, and how I was the exact opposite. I was impulsive. I was the family disappointment. But according to Trevor I was terrific. My tummy did a little flip.

  “Mary Ann?” His voice was low, gaze intent on mine.

  “Yes?” I bit my lip, wondering if he was going to take back everything he’d just said.

  He squeezed my hands, the corners of his mouth curving upward. “I’m really glad we had this strategy session.”

  “Me too.” I smiled, waiting for the tension to ooze out of me.

  But it didn’t.

  Despite my internal reservations another piece of me had just fallen for Trevor. Although our new connection would be good for the show I knew from experience that my heart was so totally in danger.

  Chapter Five

  I squinted into the sun as the contestants on Romance Revealed gathered in front of a gold miner statue in the middle of downtown Sacramento on Wednesday afternoon and smiled for the camera. We were doing a photo shoot for promo stuff before our next competition and the producers had even brought Jared and Sharon back for the pictures. I had no clue when or where the pictures were going to appear, but I must’ve given them permission in that stack of papers I’d signed after the auction.

  I’d had to take a half-day from work to appear here, which was fine by me. Working with Elliott and pretending I didn’t know he was a back stabbing tool was wreaking havoc on my nerves.

  Slipping my sunglasses back over my eyes, I tried to relax even though my stomach was in knots. Everywhere I looked cameras were pointing at all of us and I was afraid to so much as scratch my nose in case one of them zoomed in on me. So I put on a brilliant smile, trying to look good for the cameras. This was the first time I’d seen Trevor since we’d met at the café on Sunday and formed our strategy of appearing like we were connecting on a deeper level.

  I so was not going to have to fake anything in that department.

  We’d been texting almost nonstop, exchanging trivial facts about each other in case we needed it for the show. For instance, I now knew that his favorite color was aquamarine and he enjoyed rainy days. I also knew that he loved pasta, which he indulged in often for the carbs since he was a runner.

  He knew about my fear of hamsters, how cooking bored me to tears, and about my loathing of raw fish. Seriously, what was wrong with cooking food before you ate it? Well, as long as I wasn’t the one cooking it, of course. I had also confessed that anyone could woo me with a slice of lemon meringue pie, especially if it was homemade.

  In truth, Trevor could forget the pie and woo me with one look.

  “You’re healing nicely, muffin.” He dropped a kiss on my chin where I’d been pelted with the paint ball. I felt dizzy from the feel of his lips against my skin. “Ready for whatever competition they throw at us?” he asked.

  “As long as it doesn’t involve hamsters.” I pressed my hand to my chin, touching the spot he’d kissed, which hummed beneath my fingertips.

  He leaned down close to my ear. “If you wipe off my kiss then people will think you don’t like me. That would give the wrong impression.”

  “I, uh . . .” My cheeks heated since the exact opposite was true. I’d been savoring his kiss and was so glad he didn’t know that. How embarrassing. He was here to win money for charity not flirt with me for real. We were only faking our loving front and I needed to remember that or I was going to get hurt. Big time.

  “Contestants, please gather around.” Brandon Baker had shouted into a megaphone from where he stood on the opposite side of the statue in this small concrete park-like setting beneath the city’s skyscrapers.

  Trevor slipped his arm around my waist, guiding me toward where everyone was gathering around our host. Maggie waved as we passed each other, and I smiled back. She and Mike seemed so cute together. Even though I wanted them to lose the competition, I hoped they would work out as a couple.

  I spotted Evie and quickly looked away from her. She and Ross had to have cheated at the Love Can Be Rough competition, which really ticked me off. But I didn’t think it would help our chances of winning if I got grouchy with the cameras watching.

  “Welcome to your second couples competition, Clue in to Love!” Brandon Baker’s voice held onto each word as he said them and he wore a huge smile.

  We all clapped and a few people cheered, including Trevor. I laughed at his enthusiasm, wondering if he was faking or not.

  “For this segment, each couple will participate in a scavenger hunt that will take you to differ
ent points downtown.” He handed out red heart-shaped envelopes to each couple as he spoke. “The couple that makes it back here first after uncovering the clues will be declared the winner.”

  I accepted the cutesy envelope, glancing up at Trevor. “A scavenger hunt doesn’t sound so bad.”

  “What does it say?” He sounded like a little boy ready to open his birthday gifts and it made me giggle.

  “Patience.” I teased, then tore open the bright envelope, and pulled out the card. “Where do you go where everybody knows your name?” I read.

  Trevor snapped his fingers. “It’s got to be a bar. But which one?”

  I chewed my lower lip. “Wait, it’s coming to me. There’s a bar near here that has TV memorabilia plastered to the walls.”

  His right brow rose. “Should I be worried about your knowledge of neighborhood bars? Are you going to be out bar hopping while I’m at home with the kids?”

  I gave him an eye roll and laughed. “That was all before I met you, hot stuff. Now, come on.

  We’re wasting time.”

  As I jogged off in the direction of the bar, Trevor slipped his hand around mine, guiding me in a different direction. “We should take an alternate route so that no one can follow us.”

  “Good thinking.” My stomach fluttered as we laced our fingers together.

  We rounded the corner and only a camera crew was following us.

  Trevor peered down at me. “So, how many times have you been to this bar?”

  “Dozens,” I said, smiling.

  “Really?” His tone sounded so surprised that I giggled again.

  “Well, my parents did name my sister and me after TV sitcom characters. Do you know how many times I’ve been asked if I want to take a three-hour tour?”

  The corners of his mouth tipped up. “So are you going to do the same for our kids?”

  My heart skipped at his talk of kids, even though I knew he was only saying it for the cameras. “Absolutely not,” I told him as I pointed to the door at the end of the block.

  “After you.” He pulled the door open, then gestured inside.

  We entered the bar, which was quiet at this time of day. But I knew from experience that it got packed after the dinner rush. I gazed around at the TV memorabilia lining the walls. The red vinyl bar stools always made me think of a fifties diner, and I wondered if I could get a milkshake instead of a martini.

  “Hello?” I called out, searching for a clue.

  Suddenly a man in a cupid mask popped out from behind the bar. I shrieked, stumbling backward and Trevor caught me in his arms. His chest was hard and strong against my back and I wanted to curl into him. . . .

  “What can I do for you?” The guy laced his fingers under his chin and tilted his head.

  “We’re here for our next clue for the scavenger hunt,” Trevor said, keeping an arm around me as he stepped toward the guy.

  The man promptly pulled out a red heart-shaped envelope, then stamped it with the time.

  “Good luck!”

  Trevor accepted the envelope and we hurried back out into the bright sunlight.

  “Smile!” someone shouted and I saw a photographer pop forward.

  I threw my arms around Trevor’s middle. “We did it!” I squeezed.

  He took my cue, pulling me so close against him that my nose burrowed into his neck. I inhaled deeply and he smelled like pine. Delicious.

  When I finally pulled back, I peered up at him. “What’s our next clue?”

  The corner of his mouth lifted as he tore open the envelope. “Birds of a feather flock together. That’s . . . interesting.”

  We walked aimlessly down the sidewalk, discussing what the clue might mean. After three blocks with no ideas, frustration settled in and we took a seat on the front stoop of a hardware store.

  The cameraman moved closer as we continued to mull over where we should go next. My stomach tightened. We were losing time and I was starting to panic but I couldn’t think of anywhere downtown where we’d find birds flocking together. So lame!

  Trevor jumped up suddenly. “I know where we need to go.”

  “Where?” I asked, jogging beside him down the street.

  “There’s this pet store on J Street that sells exotic birds. It’s actually more like an aviary. I used to hang out there a lot as a kid.” He fell silent as we continued to power walk in the direction of the store, seeming to be deep in thought.

  “So . . . what is your motivation to win?” I asked.

  He glanced at me a moment then shrugged. “I just really want to be able to donate my money to the Founding Friendships homeless outreach program.”

  I gathered the real reason was something he didn’t want to delve into with the camera following us, which was understandable. “Well, it takes a really special person to donate that much money to charity. Especially with all the other things you do.”

  Gazing into my eyes, he squeezed my hand in answer. He took being humble to the extreme, and I really admired him for it. Then he gestured to the store up ahead. “Here we are,” he said.

  The Wild Wings Pet Store was nothing spectacular from the outside but when we stepped in, I gasped. All manner of exotic birds flew freely over our heads up to an amazing atrium two stories high. “Wow,” I said softly.

  “I know, right?” Trevor agreed, smiling as he gazed around. “A young boy’s dream.”

  I smiled at his obvious enjoyment, then hurried up to the counter since we’d lost a lot of time finding this clue. A gentle looking old man with bushy white eyebrows was holding out a red heart-shaped envelope toward me.

  “Thanks.” I lingered for a moment to watch a blue, yellow, and green macaw soar and land on his shoulder.

  When we got outside we were greeted by another round of photographers. This time Trevor simply took my hand and we smiled for the lenses. Then he gave me the envelope. “Your turn, muffin.”

  I slid my finger under the flap of the envelope, then pulled out the card. “If you don’t like having breakfast at Tiffany’s then think about this place instead.” I paused, realizing exactly where this clue was taking us. “Oh, no. I know where we need to go.”

  His blue-gray eyes searched mine. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

  I swallowed hard, then forced myself to start moving in that direction. “We need to go to the jewelry store where my grandmother’s bracelet is.”

  “The bracelet from the auction?” He watched me nod, then strolled along beside me in silence for a moment. “My grandparents lived out of state. So I didn’t get to see them often when I was a kid, but I loved them dearly. I had no idea about the bracelet and should never have belittled you for wanting your grandmother’s bracelet back. You can’t put a price on family heirlooms. I’m really sorry.”

  “Thanks.” A lump formed in my throat, and I gave him a watery smile. We walked briskly a couple blocks with Trevor still holding my hand. I was glad for his support, and that he understood how much Grammy’s bracelet meant to me. Finally, I stopped across the street from the jewelry store I’d been at only a few days ago. I stared at the brick exterior, a feeling of dread settling over me.

  Trevor’s hand tightened around mine. “Look, it’s Evie and Ross. We need to get in there before them—”

  “I can’t.” I stomped my foot down so hard in frustration the heel of my shoe broke. My eyes burned and I shook my head. “What if her bracelet’s gone? What if I’m too late?”

  Trevor regarded me for a moment, and then he seemed to make a decision. “I’ll go in by myself. Wait here. I’ll be back in a second.”

  I watched him dart across the street, then disappear into the store. My heart pounded as I watched Ross and Evie run down the block and into the store as well. Trevor emerged a moment later and raced over to me. “Got it,” he said. Without pausing to take the requisite pictures, he reached out and scooped me up into his arms.

  I squealed, batting my hand against his shoulder. “Put me down!”

&n
bsp; “No way.” His arm tightened, holding me securely. “Your heel broke and this is the fastest way to get back. Just pretend you’re part of my marathon training.”

  “You’re insane.” I laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation then gave in, looping my arms around his neck and trying to ignore how much I liked being cradled against his chest.

  We made it to the park in what felt like record time. He set me down on the pavement, and hand in hand we sprinted back to the fountain. Music blasted from speakers and we arrived to a chorus of cheers from the gathered crowd.

  Brandon Baker waved to us, holding a microphone. “Congratulations Trevor Brooks and Mary Ann Nielsen. You’re the winners of the Clue in to Love couples competition!”

  I turned to Trevor, my eyes widening with surprise. “No way.”

  “We did it!” His face broke into a grin that matched the exhilaration rushing through every pore of my body. He stepped toward me.

  Thrilled for our victory I jumped into his arms. Without thinking I pressed my lips against his. Heat rushed through my veins and I felt more alive than ever before. His mouth captured mine, strong and hard, making my legs turn weak. He held me tight like he never wanted to let me go.

  Then a rapid succession of clipped sounds flooded my ears, pulling me from my dreamy haze. I broke away, breathless, then turned to find a stream of photographers snapping pictures of us from every direction.

  Oh, wow. I’d kissed Trevor for real. There was no way I could pretend that had been for the cameras because I hadn’t even realized they were there. More importantly, I didn’t care. From the look on Trevor’s face, I could tell that he’d felt something in our kisses too.

  My mouth unexpectedly curved upward. Not only was it possible that I might win the show and get Grammy’s bracelet back, but maybe I’d end up with Trevor too. Knowing this, I did what any girl in my situation would do: I kissed him again.

  Chapter Six

  Soaring on my mass of happy emotions after yesterday’s win, I got up and practically danced in to work. With our victory, came the assurance that we were actual contenders to be the winning couple on Romance Revealed. The flare of hope that I’d been carrying with me since yesterday transitioned into complete optimism today.