The Dating Proposal(14)

As I fashion a comeback, he sends a second note.

Chris: I’m at the studio. I’ll text you later, and we’ll devise a drop-off plan. Some dark, undisclosed location. I assume you want a leather bag full of unmarked bills.



McKenna: It’s like you know me so well already.





I’m in bed, reading an article on business-growth strategies when Hayden texts me.

Hayden: I’d knock on the wall, but figured this could work.



McKenna: Indeed it does. What’s up?



Hayden: I have your next date for you, thanks to my daughter.



McKenna: Are you kidding me?



Hayden: Dead serious. When the FedEx guy dropped off some documents at the office earlier, I arranged a date for you, per Lena’s advice. Is that cool?



McKenna: Sure! I suppose I was expecting an attorney, but a delivery guy will work.



Hayden: You don’t care that he doesn't have a swank job?



McKenna: Please! This is me! I’m not interested in men for their money. I want a guy who’s nice and fun, and who respects women.



Hayden: Excellent. I’ll firm up the deets.





I say good night to her and return to my article. A little later, Chris texts. Seeing his name on my phone lights me up in all those groovy parts.

Chris: Just making sure the deal is still on. I have your ransom ready. I just need to know one thing . . . is the screwdriver unharmed?





Smiling, I hop out of bed, scurry to my living room, and take the tool from my purse. I grab a box of ribbons from a cabinet, tie a tiny sliver of one around the tool, shoot a photo, and send it to him.

McKenna: Unharmed, but still bound.



Chris: Please don’t hurt it.



McKenna: You know what to do. I’ll contact you tomorrow with a location.



Chris: Until then, don’t get whacked by any shower doors.





8





McKenna





I model a cute Gucci knockoff top for the camera.

“And this is the official what-to-wear-on-your-first-date-in-a-decade look. How did I decide, you may ask? Well, naturally, it only took ten thousand wardrobe changes, but that’s totally normal. Just kidding. I don’t want you to suffer through all that indecision, and that’s why I recommend the simplicity of this top. It’s comfortable, simple, and shows off the teeniest bit of skin.”

I lean into the camera, showing the slope of my shoulder. “Ooh la la. Let’s see if it works. Wish me luck. Don’t forget to leave all your what-to-wear questions below, and I will answer them, my fellow fashion hounds. There is never ever a need for a thousand wardrobe changes when you have a fashion hound to help you.”

I hit end to turn off the video then raise my face and catch Andy’s attention. “What do you think?”

He’s parked on my couch, working out of my home with me today. He gives me a thumbs-up, his standard web-dude response.

“That’s why I like working with you. For the wordless thumbs-up,” I tease as my blonde half-horse-half-dog trundles on over and parks herself at my feet with a heavy sigh. She’s probably counting down the hours until it’s time for a walk, her internal doggy clock calibrated to the rhythms of our day. I scratch her ears then pet her head. “Did you like it, girl?”

I do the dog’s squeaky voice. “I loved it. You were so awesome. What should I wear when I run into Roscoe down the street?”

My jaw drops, and I admonish her. “You naughty girl. You do not have a crush on that beagle. You’re bigger than he is.”

Andy laughs. “She’s a domme, I take it?”

“Evidently. Who knew?” I ask in a hushed whisper.

He clucks his tongue a few times but says nothing. Uh-oh. That’s what he does when something’s bugging him.

“What is it? What’s bothering you?”

“I dunno,” he says with a shrug, his curly hair flopping into his eyes as he taps away. “I guess I just don’t think this is such a good idea.”

“The Gucci knockoff? It’s perf. I even modeled it on FaceTime last night for the girls. Erin said it’s hot, Julia said it’s rocking, and Hayden said she’d do me if she were still experimenting, like back in college. So there. It’s a winner.”

“Yeah, the shirt’s a winner.” He tilts his head to the side and meets my gaze. “I’m not talking about the shirt.”

“Then what?”

He heaves a sigh. “I worry about you meeting guys IRL. What if they’re stalkers, serial killers, or sadists?”

“Um, the same could be said of guys online.”

“Yeah, but that’s how everyone does it these days.”

“But it’s just as likely you could find a creep online,” I point out. “Don’t you meet creeps online?”

“Grindr is a whole different kettle of fish.”

“I thought you were done with that. I thought you were looking for”—I clasp my heart and flutter my lids—“love and a tight bod.”