Page 78 of Catch and Release
“Is she single?” Ida asked. “Maybe we could set her up with Shawn.”
Willa stopped in her tracks, her blood running cold. “Set her up with Shawn?”
“Yes, dear,” Ida stopped and glanced back at her. “I promised Shawn I’d stop trying to play matchmaker after I tried to set the two of you up, but maybe he’ll let you set him up. Since you’re friends and all.”
Willa’s eyes narrowed at Ida.
She was baiting her. She knew it, but she couldn’t stop the raging anxiety from flowing through her at the thought of Shawn dating someone else. Never mind that she’d insisted he date other people while they were friends-with-benefits. She took a deep breath.
“Unfortunately, Charlie’s not much of a dater,” Willa said. “She likes to play the field. Plus, she lives in California.”
“Hmmm.”
Willa rolled her eyes and they walked in silence for the last few minutes of their workout.
“Alright, Grams,” Willa said as they approached Ida’s house. “I’ll get some dresses this weekend. Promise. And you can even give final approval if you want.”
“That’d probably be for the best, sweetie. Send me pictures. And I’ll see you tomorrow.”
FYI, the Black tie thing is not a joke. Come ready to impress for the Bingo Ball. Ida threatened me within an inch of my life that we better come dressed like it’s the Met Gala.
Willa shot the text off to Charlie as she headed inside the hotel lobby. Her sunset yoga class had gone great, and more and more hotel guests were coming every week. She’d been working with Layla to promote the class via text and email to guests at the Beachside Inn as well as other tourists staying nearby. Many of them ended up staying for a drink at the hotel bar after classes, and Layla was excited about the increased business coming into the hotel.
Willa’s stomach churned as she thought about what came next: her one-on-one with Blake. She gave Layla a tight wave before heading to the bar, where Amanda was preparing drinks for a small group of women in one corner.
As she expected, Blake was already there, waiting. He’d found a secluded tall table and had two glasses of wine. His too-white teeth were bared at her as he gave her a smarmy smile, and she sat in a stool opposite him.
“I hope you don’t mind that I ordered you a glass of our best red,” he said, handing her the wine.
She did mind. She minded a lot.
Willa had planned on ordering a mocktail. Amanda made really good ones. Sometimes, her yoga students asked her to join them for a quick round before she headed home. She didn’t really like to drink before getting behind the wheel, especially wine. It made her sleepy. So Amanda had been making her various mocktails, and she’d loved them.
She felt like she had no choice but to accept the glass Blake extended in his hand. But that didn’t mean she had to drink it.
“So, what would you like to cover in this meeting?” Willa asked, setting the wine glass down in front of her.
“Where’s the fire?” Blake responded with a teasing grin. “Let’s visit for a few minutes before diving into business.”
Willa ground her teeth together.
“So, how are you?” Blake asked. “How are you settling in?”
“Fine, thanks. What about you?”
“Aren’t you going to drink your wine?”
It took all her self control not to roll her eyes. She took a small sip, then shared a look with Amanda and flagged her over.
“Could I get some water?” she asked
“You bet,” Amanda said, her tone overly chirpy as if trying to sound normal.
“Feeling a little dehydrated after yoga tonight,” Willa said.
“Of course,” Blake responded. “It seems like your classes are picking up popularity around here.”
Willa almost sighed in relief.