Landlord Wars(15)

Jack tracked her movements with a steely, non-brotherly stare, which I did not appreciate. “You’re the sister?”

“The one and only.” She winked. “I’m sure Sophia’s mentioned how awesome I am.”

That girl had zero arrogance. None.

Jack scratched his jaw, seemingly perplexed. “Not exactly.”

When the silence drew out, I called, “Back here.”

Jack looked over, and I widened my eyes, lips compressed, sending him what I hoped was an eyeball death threat, because he was a little too focused on my pretty baby sister.

He held up his hands, acknowledging my unspoken words, and headed for the couch.

I liked Jack. He was a good guy. But he was fresh out of a bad relationship and still licking his wounds. People in pain didn’t make the best partners.

Elise crossed to the hallway where I was huddled. “You look ready,” she said dryly.

I tore off the towel turban and raced into my bedroom. “I’m going to be late. Why are you here?”

“Because you texted me and told me you had a blind date.” She followed me into the bedroom and closed the door behind us. “You’re probably seconds away from calling and canceling.”

“Rude,” I said and tossed the blue blouse on my bed before slipping on the red. I wasn’t about to share how I’d thought about it multiple times. “I might have forgotten how to date. Or talk to men. This is going to be a disaster.”

Elise gave me a sharp look. “You can’t back out. And not because Victor set you up. He adores you and wouldn’t hold it against you. You can’t back out because I think you need a conversation with a man who isn’t a client or your boss.”

“I have a male roommate. We converse. He even helped me choose this top tonight.”

She nodded in appreciation. “Baby steps.”

I hopped on one leg and pulled on a pair of slim black pants. “I don’t know why I’m even bothering to date. It will end up exactly how things did with Paul.” I was being a Debbie Downer after I’d convinced myself this was the right thing to do, but when you know, you know.

Elise shook her head. “Very fatalistic of you. Paul was an ass. I could see his insecurities from a mile away.”

I reached for a pair of nude heels on the top shelf of my closet. “Well, I couldn’t. Which means I shouldn’t date until I can spot the bad apples.”

Elise picked up the relaxation candle I’d bought off Polk Street this week and sniffed. She scrunched her nose and set it down, elucidating my ass-poor taste in—well, everything, apparently. “You doubt yourself, and that’s why you can’t figure out men’s motives.”

I threw up my hands. “I shouldn’t need to figure out their motives. It should be apparent. And anyway, Paul didn’t have any hidden interests when we met. He liked me; he was just shallow and scared of his parents.”

Elise made a sound of disgust. “A man who can’t speak for himself is extremely unattractive. You’re better off without him.”

“That’s what people always say when you get dumped,” I pointed out.

I’d cared about Paul, but when I looked back, there had been red flags, especially when it came to his family. He’d taken me out and I’d met his friends, but never his parents. I should have seen the signs. Now it was hard for me to trust anyone, including myself.

Elise sat on the bed and patted the mattress. “I’ll do your makeup. You don’t play up your eyes enough.”

I sat obediently and blindly transferred essential items to a small black purse while my sister worked on my eyes. Deep down, I desired a relationship. And going on a blind date through a trusted source was better than giving my number to a stranger at a bar or connecting through a dating app.

She squeezed my cheeks, holding my head in place. “Quit moving. Unless you want winged eyeliner?” She quirked her brow suggestively.

“I’ll stick with the natural look, thank you.” I waited patiently while she beautified me.

“Almost done?” I asked after a few minutes. But when I opened my eyes, she was staring, a light smile on her face.

“I’m proud of you,” she said and tucked the eyeliner pencil back into the makeup bag. “I know you’re scared to date, but it can’t hurt to have more friends in your life, right?” She considered me thoughtfully for a beat. “At the very least, this guy could become a friend.”

I’d had casual friends over the years, but no one who was a constant. My sister was my best friend. “Sure.”

“Now, where’s your pepper spray?” Elise said, swiveling her head dramatically and looking around my room.

I dropped my jaw. “You just told me tonight would be fine!”

Elise laughed. “I’m teasing. Victor is more protective than I am. He wouldn’t send you into the arms of a psycho.”

“As if you can tell by just looking whether or not someone is a psycho.” I glanced in the mirror across from my bed and frowned. “I said natural. This is more makeup than I normally wear.”

“You normally wear almost no makeup, so yes, this would be more. Your eyes are beautiful, and you don’t play them up enough. You should wear makeup like this every day.”

I stood and grabbed my purse. “That would require an extra five minutes of getting ready time in the morning, and you know I need my sleep.” I checked my phone. “I better go, or this guy will be waiting.”