Page 72 of Last Date

She lifted one brow. “Seriously? You know I have my sources.”

She did have an amazing network of people who kept her informed of everything that happened in Pearl Cove. “Even so, I think your intel is wrong. Merrick probably just wants to be my friend because Thomas is his best friend.”

“How do you put your pants on in the morning being this clueless?’

I scowled. “Don’t get mean.”

She said with exasperation, “Do you like seeing him with Peter?”

My stomach clenched. “Not particularly.”

“Then just go with it. It seems Merrick isfinallymaking his move; you should see where it takes you.”

“I don’t want to embarrass myself by misreading the situation.”

She patted my cheek affectionately. “Follow Merrick’s lead.”

“He’s hard to read sometimes.”

“Give him an inch, I think he’ll take a mile.” She smiled.

I sighed. “I should go. I feel stupid standing here talking like this. Plus, I need to walk Spot before Merrick arrives.”

She waved me off. “Go. Go. I suggest you two drink heavily tonight. You need to let down your walls with each other.”

“Good night, Helen. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“If you want to sleep in, no problem. Me and Charlene will hold down the fort.”

“I’m sure I’ll be on time.”

She unlocked her car. “I hope not. Sleep in. Make Merrick breakfast.”

I gave an embarrassed laugh and shouted, “You’re living in a fantasy world.” I got in my car and drove home.

****

Edgy energy buzzed through me as 8:30 p.m. approached. I’d showered and eaten a light dinner. Spot had been walked, and now I was watching the local news, trying to distract myself from how nervous I was.

When the doorbell rang at 8:05 p.m., I clicked off the TV and tried not to hyperventilate. He was early. Why did Merrick make me so nervous? I’d been with plenty of guys in my time, but something about Merrick always set me on edge. Maybe it was simply that I couldn’t read him well, when usually I could read guys.

Spot was barking as I opened the door, expecting to find Merrick standing there. To my surprise, Selena and Captain Roscoe stood on my doorstep. “Oh.” I gave a confused laugh. “What are you two doing here?”

And how do you know where I live?

Selena’s smile was brittle. “May we come in?”

It was definitely weird to have them on my porch, but it seemed rude not to invite them in. “Sure. I guess.” I stepped back, giving them room to pass.

“Are you alone?” Captain Roscoe asked, brushing by me.

It seemed like an odd question, but I nodded. “Yes, although I have company coming in a bit.”

“Oh, you have people visiting?” Selena hung back near the door.

“Uh, yeah.” I didn’t really want to say who my guest was going to be. I wasn’t sure Merrick wanted people knowing he was coming to see me.

Captain Roscoe had a sheen of perspiration on his face, and his eyes seemed feverish. “We should go somewhere else, Selena. I told you this was a mistake.”