Page 11 of The Disasters of Dating (Love Connections #6)

POPPY

Don’t readily dismiss things that seem suspect. Use your intuition to know which things are for your benefit. But most of all, listen to your heart, Pisces. It will not lead you astray.

I knock on the door of Paisleigh’s apartment. It’s movie night and I’m ready to get started relaxing. I only have two weeks before the next semester starts, and I want to use my time wisely.

Her roommate, Becca, opens the door. “Hey, Poppy. Come on in. Paisleigh is still in the shower. But you can get settled.” She eyes my face and I can tell she wants to ask about my bruised forehead and eye.

“The airport can be vicious,” is all the info I offer.

If she wants more, she can ask. Becca and I aren’t close enough that I feel compelled to give her the whole story.

“Who knew?” She asks as she shuts the door behind me.

I step inside and smile at Becca. “Are you watching the movie with us?” I cross my fingers that her answer is no.

Paisleigh is my best friend, not Becca. But she’s the roommate, so by my friendship with Paisleigh, I hang out with Becca a fair amount.

But I wouldn’t call us friends. It’s more like we tolerate each other for the sake of Paisleigh.

There isn’t any one thing that I can say, ‘I dislike her for X.’ We just don’t mesh.

She thinks I’m some crazy hippy. And I think she’s a snob.

I bet she and my Grandma Alice would get along famously, which sets off all kinds of warning bells in my head.

The common denominator for us is Paisleigh.

And we both believe (although I’m the one that’s right) that we are Paisleigh’s best friend .

She shakes her head. “No, I have a date.” She says it with a hint of hesitancy.

Is she not sure she has a date, or is she not sure if she should tell me about it?

Either way, it seems problematic. I mean the first scenario, I don’t need to explain why that is not good.

But the second? Why should she worry about telling me?

It’s not like I couldn’t date if I wanted to.

I just don’t want to right now. I don’t have time for it. “Are you still dating Tanner?”

She scoffs. “No. I wouldn’t even say we were dating. We only went on, like, four dates.”

I nod. “Oh. I guess we haven’t talked in a while.

” And I can’t say that I’ve missed it. I settle into the couch and pull some Red Vines and Pop Corners out of my bag.

I’m not one of those kinds of people who can watch a movie and not eat anything.

It’s unnatural, and I’m suspicious of anyone who does.

It’s not surprising Becca doesn’t snack through movies.

“Hey, can you make sure that you clean up any crumbs? The last time you guys had a movie night, there was a ton of that popcorn stuff down between the cushions.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from rolling my eyes. It wasn’t from me, I can guarantee it. I didn’t bring Pop Corners last time. I brought Swedish Fish and Corn Chex. Yes, I know that’s an odd combination. But I like it.

Instead, I just nod.

There’s a knock at the door, and Becca turns away from me to answer it. I allow my eyes to roll so hard it almost hurts.

“Hey,” Becca says as she opens the door. Not all the way, mind you, so I can’t actually see the guy. She’s such a weirdo. “I’m ready if you want to go.”

Why is she hiding him? Is she embarrassed by him and doesn’t want me to see him? I stand up and move to the far side. Tipping my head, I glance out the door. I grin when I see the handsome guy standing there. “Hey, Blake. How are you?”

Becca’s shoulders drop, and I hear her sigh. She opens the door a little wider, and Blake steps inside. “Hey, Poppy. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

I nod. “Yeah. Tonight is movie night with Pais.” I flick a glance at Becca. “Where are you two kids headed tonight?” I say in my best mom voice.

“Just to dinner and maybe a movie. We’ll see how the night goes.” Blake shoves his hands in his pockets.

“How do you know Blake?” Becca asks. The tone says she should have her hands on her hips. But she doesn’t. I’m impressed with her restraint.

I shrug. “We went to high school together.” We went out a few times, too, but I don’t bring that up.

I don’t want to ruin the night for them.

Not that I have those abilities. But Becca does.

I worry that Blake will be tainted by association with me.

He’s already likely on the edge just by knowing me.

I lift a hand and return to the couch. “Have fun, kids.”

Becca rolls her eyes, and I smile at Blake. He lifts his hand in a wave. “It was good to see you, Pops. Tell your family ‘hi’ for me, okay?”

I nod. “Will do.”

Becca shoos him outside and slams the door behind her. Whatever, Becca. She isn’t going to ruin my evening. I’m officially done with school—for two whole weeks.

The bathroom door opens, and Paisleigh comes out rubbing at her hair with a towel. “Hey Pops. Did I hear a guy’s voice out here?”

I nod. “Yeah, Becca’s date just came to pick her up.”

Paisleigh quirks up a brow. “Who’s the flavor of the month? I don’t think I’ve met this one.”

I grin. “Yeah, you have.”

She frowns and throws her wet towel on her bed. “No, I’m pretty sure she said it was a new guy.”

I pull my legs up and wrap my arms around them. “It’s Blake Rigley.”

Both her brows shoot up. “Blake and Becca? I don’t see it.”

I shrug. “Me either. But to each his own.” I glance into her bedroom. “You’re going to have a wet spot when you get into bed if you don’t hang up your towel.”

Paisleigh gives me a look. “Give it a rest, mom.”

I shrug. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I twist and lay my legs down, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to me. “Why do you have to live with Becca?”

Paisleigh sighs. “She’s not that bad. I think if you two called a truce, you might actually find out you like each other.”

I give her an “I-don’t-think-so” look.

“If you would move out of your mom’s, we could room together.”

Now I sigh. “You know I can’t do that.”

Paisleigh quirks her mouth to the side. “Exactly. Which is why I have to room with Becca. You’re not available.”

I pinch my lips together. “Fine. But I’m your best friend, right?”

Paisleigh smiles. “Of course. You’re my ride or die. ”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Why do I get the feeling you tell Becca the same thing?”

Paisleigh’s face breaks into a grin. I say face, because when she genuinely smiles, it’s a whole face thing. “I only tell her she’s my best friend. She isn’t and never will be my ride or die.”

I suck in a breath. I guess I can live with that. “Okay, it’s my turn to pick the movie.”

Paisleigh goes into the kitchen and opens a cupboard labeled with her name on it.

She takes out some Skittles and Poppables.

Now, I’m not going to lie. Sometimes I regret not doing the whole adulting thing and having my own apartment.

Or an apartment with a roommate. But it was a conscious decision I made.

The decision was mostly based on my mom.

But after observing Brody and Sadie, I knew I wouldn’t take their same route.

They moved out and got apartments when they went to college.

They still lived nearby, to satisfy my mom—even though it didn’t—but they still had some independence.

However, to afford both school and the apartment, they had to take money from my Grandma Alice.

It’s a decision I know they both regret because now they are beholden to her.

She holds that money over their heads and expects them to give in to her every whim.

Just this summer, Grandma Alice tried to force Sadie into marrying some doctor.

Sadie had to pretend to be in a relationship with Brody’s best friend, Max.

Although, he’s not her fake boyfriend anymore. Wink, wink.

After watching what they went through because of the money, I decided I would not allow Grandma Alice to have that much control over me.

She can leave me the money when she dies…

guilt-free. For me, that is. I’m pretty sure Grandma Alice has never felt guilty about anything.

It’s probably beneath her. I can hear her voice now— “Only poor people feel guilt. The rest of us can afford not to.” Yeah, she’s a peach.

I’m glad I had to work and couldn’t make it to the family reunion last month.

As I look at all the labeled cupboards in Paisleigh’s kitchen, I feel no jealousy towards her. My mom and I don’t label cupboards. We just ask before we eat someone else’s stuff.

Paisleigh comes and settles on the couch next to me. “So, what are we watching?”

I grin. “A Lot Like Love.”

Paisleigh’s eyes widen. “Oooh. I love that one and we haven’t watched it in forever. ”

“I know.” I waggle my eyebrows. “And if we are up to it, I thought it could be a double feature.”

I’ve got her attention. “Do tell. What is part deux?”

I grin at her attempt to speak French. Paisleigh is one of the few people I know who can mess up that simple word. “The Cutting Edge.”

“Wow, you are really pulling that one from the time capsule, aren’t you?”

I tilt my head. “Are you vetoing it?”

“No way.” She scoffs. “I’m always down for some D.B. Sweeny. Even if he’s in his sixties now.” She lifts a remote and dims the lights.

“That’s new,” I say.

“Yeah, my brother came and installed it last week. Pretty cool, huh?”

I pull up the streaming service on the TV and hit play. The opening scenes of the movie start.

The movie ends, and both Paisleigh and I sigh. “Such a good show,” she says.

I nod. “I know.”

Paisleigh turns on the lights. “How about a bathroom break and then we start the next one?”

My phone dings, and I open my messages app.

(603) 538-7114

Hey, I missed you at the restaurant…not that I blame you for not coming. But I’m telling myself it’s because you had to work. (Please say you had to work.) Maybe next time?

Seriously, this is the second text I’ve gotten from this person.

I have no idea who it is. I don’t give out my number without texting their number back to me and labeling it in my contacts.

It’s probably a wrong number. I frown. Or someone phishing me.

I ignored it earlier, hoping they would get the picture when no one showed up at the restaurant. But obvs, they didn’t.

“What’s that about? Your face looks kind of fierce right now.” Paisleigh settles back on the couch.

I shrug. “It’s a wrong number.”

She raises a brow. “Oh? What do they want? They aren’t a Prince that needs some money for a few days until their inheritance comes through, are they?”

I laugh. “No, I’m not that lucky lately. It’s someone asking me if I wanted to meet them at some restaurant for dinner.” I throw my phone onto the table. “I’m sure it’s just a wrong number. They’ll get the hint if I ignore them.”

Paisleigh looks at me. “What restaurant?”

I give her a quizzical look. “Does it matter?”

“Well, it’s more believable if it’s at least a local one. Or is it something like Red Robin that is nationwide? Cuz that would be way sus.”

I open the message and read the first one again. “It says the restaurant is called Black Strap Brewery.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “Hey, that’s in Lehi.”

I wave her words away. “I’m sure there is another restaurant with that name somewhere in the country. The area code on the phone number isn’t a local one.”

She grabs her phone. “What is the area code?”

“603,” I say. I’m not sure why she is looking it up. It won’t tell us anything.

She puts down her phone without typing anything into it. “Oh, that’s New Hampshire.” She looks at me with expectant eyes.

“You just happen to know that area code?” I ask.

“Yeah, that’s where Shay lives, remember?” Her brow furrows. “Do you know anyone from New Hampshire?”

I slowly shake my head. “Just Shay.” I mean, I think I remember Keaton, the good kisser from the airport, saying he was from New Hampshire. But I already have his contact info in my phone. If it was him, it would say his name, not just the number.

She looks bummed. “Maybe you should tell them they have the wrong number. What if they think the person they are texting is mad or something? You could be destroying a friendship.” She says this with a pitying look on her face, her head nodding.

“Or they could be phishing,” I say.

She gives me a duh look. “I’m not saying you should tell them they have the wrong number and then give them your social security number and all your banking information.”

I sigh. “But by replying, I’m telling them that I’m an active number. They could put me on all kinds of scammer lists. My phone could blow up with phishing texts.”

She tips her head to the side. “Does that sound like someone phishing? Are there any links to click? ”

I shake my head. Maybe she’s right? I think back to my horoscope this morning. Didn’t it say I shouldn’t dismiss something just because it seems suspicious? It said to use my intuition. What is my intuition telling me right now?

This is a wrong number.

“Okay, I’ll reply so no friendships are irrevocably damaged.” I open the message.

Hey, I should have messaged you earlier, but in today’s world, you can’t be too careful. I think you have the wrong number, which is why your friend no-showed you. Sorry! Hope you had a fun night, anyway.

I look at Paisleigh. “There. Are you happy now?”

She smiles and nods. “Now, let’s get our Sweeny fix!”