Page 18 of Beauty and the Grease (Midlife Meet Cute #4)

Jenny

Six Months Later

I’m dressed to impress for my date with Chase.

“Are those custom bowling shoes?” He looks from my feet back to me, taking in the pink and turquoise shoes from Derby Lanes’ new pro shop.

“I want bowling shoes!” Emma declares. The kids actually asked to come here since they had fun bowling during their last visit.

Owen finally set his phone aside, likely more to do with their new friends, Annabelle’s kids, two girls the same ages as Emma and Owen.

The kids do more socializing than actual bowling, but I’m just happy they have friends in Derby.

Okay, so this date is a little crowded, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Chase and I have had plenty of nights out together.

I leave Derby now on the regular to see him at his apartment.

We go to concerts and art shows, the things I used to do before I spent every waking moment at the auto shop.

Now I have more help to keep the place running.

Chase eyes the hot pink bag beside me. “I’m afraid to ask.”

I unearth a sparkly pink bowling ball with finger holes custom fit for my small hand. I never expected to invest in bowling, but my new friend Noah, Simon’s girlfriend, is the new owner of Derby Lanes and made it into a cool space. Along with Annabelle’s eye for interior design.

Speaking of Simon. “Did you talk to Simon about the property?” I ask. With the town revitalization project, the guy seemed to know everything, including a heads up on homes going on the market. “Not that you have to—”

“I did.” Chase runs a hand across my shoulders. “I was going to surprise you, but I put in an offer.”

I gasp. “You did?”

He kisses my forehead. “Four bedrooms. Big yard. A second, barn-sized detached garage.”

“Why, are you getting a boat?”

“Big enough for a bright orange tow truck.”

“Now you’re talking my language.”

Chase does sales consulting now, a position he got from a connection with the VanHousen company. He can live pretty much anywhere.

And he’s choosing Derby.

He’s choosing me.

The kids will continue at their current school, primarily living with their mom. She’s in a northern suburb of Detroit fifteen miles south of us. Now that she’s remarried (after a short engagement) she’s mellowed out (a bit) and far less shouty at Chase. Which is great for all of us.

Owen is first up at the lane. He holds the ball upright and studies the pins ahead. With precise action, he unfurls the bowling ball…directly into the gutter. “Aw, man.”

“Better luck next time,” Chase calls over.

The girls cascade into giggles. Owen looks back at Annabelle’s oldest daughter and winks.

“I think he gutterballed to make her laugh,” I say to Chase. “Oh hey, there’s Gutterball the dog.” The resident Derby Lanes dog trots over, sniffs my shoe, then continues on toward her doggie bed by the shoe rental counter.

Chase makes a show of covering his face with his hand. “This town. I swear.”

“Regardless, thank goodness for second chances.”

Chase moves his hand from his face into my hair, trailing his fingers through my loose waves.

His smoldering look makes me feel like we’re the only two people here.

He kisses me. It’s sweet and safe for public viewing, but just barely.

My face flushes with excitement. For later. For every day after and beyond.

We have so much more life to live. More dates. Memories to create with our blended families.

“I’m glad my car broke down,” Chase speaks softly in between peppered kisses. “I’m glad it was you who found me.”

We’d found each other, right on time.

Love, Laughter, and Second Chances—Who Says Romance Ends at 40?

Welcome to a collection of fun, feel-good romantic comedies where love comes with age, second chances are swoon-worthy, and happily-ever-afters are just as sweet the second time around.

Set in charming small towns, these later-in-life romcom novellas are filled with laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling-but-sweet romance, and unforgettable meet cutes.

Whether it’s enemies-to-lovers fireworks, a second shot at love on the ice, single moms rediscovering romance, or fixer-uppers that spark unexpected chemistry, these stories promise the perfect escape.

No steam, just swoon! So pour a glass of lemonade, settle into a porch swing, and enjoy these delightful love stories.