No. I wasn’t going to wallow in self-pity. Time to move on with my life and just make different choices.
“I think you lost those handsome guards of yours,” she said, laughing softly. I’d prepped her on losing the goons before we’d left, a plan that I’d known would work.
While I usually attempted to ignore the bodyguards, I refused to have them report back to the family Don that the baby sister had gone to a speed dating event. I would never hear the end of it and even if I had success, the poor guy would be put through the wringer.
Literally.
The background check would be extensive and if for any reason he didn’t pass, there was always a good chance he wouldn’t see the light of day ever again. That was a lot to take in.
“Good. This is our night and I can’t believe you talked me into this.” We reached the entrance and I groaned, rubbing my hands down my dress.
“You look fabulous, darling.” She winked before opening the door.
I’d been kidding about wearing Prada. Yes, I owned designer clothes, but I preferred wearing jeans or little summer dresses I’d picked up at TJ Maxx. The dress had been a present from my other bestie, Anastasia, a former roommate who’d hooked up with my brother Jaxon.
Yep. They were madly in love.
An old married couple.
Something else to annoy me. All four brothers had lived by a different code, able to find their forever loves. Me? Once kissed, twice shy.
As soon as we walked in, I almost backed out. Maybe because the concept of a blind date was bad enough. Meeting a bunch of men and only being able to chat with them for two or three minutesseemed ridiculous. Making some crazy decision to dare go on a date with one would be one of the most reckless things I’d done.
However, what choice did a girl have? I hadn’t had in sex in so long, I would be terrified my pussy was sewn shut if not for my handy dandy passion purple vibrator. Yet I wasn’t one of those women who said, “Who needs men when you have sex toys.”
I hungered for everything about a handsome, very muscular hunk from the interactions that led to intelligent conversations to spending time in restaurants and on the dance floor.
Oh, who was I kidding? I craved his touch, his lips, and his dick, and not necessarily in that order. And his scent. There was nothing quite such a turn-on as a man’s aftershave.
“Big crowd,” she said as we headed for the check-in.
An area inside the multi-room bar had been sectioned off for the event. One decent aspect about meeting a guy this way was that the meet and greet was based on first names only. Maybe I wouldn’t be considered so intimidating. Unfortunately, I was a little bit overdressed, already receiving lust-filled looks from men and daggers in the eyes of a few women.
“You’re going to have fun,” Kylie assured me while we waited in line while whipping out her credit card. “Besides, it’s my treat for your upcoming birthday, Halloween baby.”
I made a face and studied the men hanging around with drinks in their hands. The gift had been insisted on by my bestie. Perhaps the most creative birthday present to date.
There was paperwork to fill out, including contact information. I added as little as possible, including being daring and using mymother’s maiden name. Maybe that would help. At least it would only be provided if a match was made.
“There are some dudes in here,” I murmured.
She popped me on the arm. “And some hotties too. Get with the program. You’re the one who’s always complaining about never having a boyfriend.”
“Here you go, ladies. That will be two hundred and fifty apiece,” the girl said as she motioned toward nametags and pens.
“Steep,” I said under my breath while scribbling Emme on the sticky badge.
Kylie rolled her eyes. She also had plenty of money, but hers was entirely earned from making six figures as a fashion influencer.
“When the first bell is rung, you’ll select a seat and have a couple minutes before another bell. At that point, the dating will begin. You’ll have four minutes to get to know each other so think of some questions ahead of time. Trust me. The time goes by quickly. Here are your scorecards. After every date, just go ahead and fill out either yes for being interested or no. At the end, if you and one or more of the potential dates select each other, you’ll be given an opportunity to talk further. If not, there’s always next time. Here are your two drink tickets. Enjoy the evening.”
Drink tickets. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been forced to use them. I smacked the nametag on my chest, almost wishing I’d chosen a pseudonym.
We headed straight for the bar. I’d definitely need a drink or two to get through the evening.
“What would you ladies like?”
His deep voice immediately attracted Kylie. “You’ll do,” she purred.