Written in the Stars(9)

His answering smile was an infuriating mix of smug and sympathetic. “See, I think the reason you don’t want to go on these dates is because you know, one of these days you’re going to meet someone who makes you want to take that risk, and that terrifies you.”

For some asinine reason that was entirely beyond comprehension, Elle’s pretty heart-shaped face flashed through Darcy’s mind. Her neck broke out into a damp sweat, her hair sticking to her clammy skin.

“I said I’m not scared.” Her voice just had to go and crack. Salvaging what remained of her dignity, she cleared her throat and fixed him with a stern glare. “Or if I am, it’s because I’m worried about your listening comprehension. Is your hearing okay?”

“Sure, Darce, whatever you say.” Brendon rolled his eyes.

“I’m glad we understand each other.”

“So if you’re not afraid—”

“And I’m not.”

Brendon lifted his hands. “Then you won’t have a problem with me signing us both up for speed dating next Saturday over in Kirkland. Eight o’clock. Goes for two hours, there’s a nice break in the middle. Tapas, wine, mixing, mingling. You know, fun.”

“I can’t.” Her tongue traced the contours of her upper teeth. “I have . . . I have plans. I have, um . . .” Saturday. “My FSA study group is meeting that night.”

It wasn’t even a lie. She was one exam away from becoming a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, the highest designation awarded by the SOA. Back in April, when she’d interviewed for the job with Devereaux and Horton Mutual Life, Mr. Stevens had made it clear she was guaranteed a promotion to a management role as soon as she passed this tenth and final exam.

So no, Brendon was wrong. It wasn’t a matter of fear, it was about making a logical decision, one that centered her priorities. She refused to be like their mother, getting so wrapped up in a relationship that she lost herself in it, forgetting about everything else that mattered—her work, her passions, even her children. Yes, Darcy was over Natasha, but who was to say she’d be able to get over the next heartbreak, that something inside her wouldn’t fracture irreparably? Better not to tempt fate than take that risk.

He cocked his head. “No worries. There’s another speed-dating event on Tuesday. You know, for all the people who can’t make it on Saturday because they have plans.”

Darcy set her hands on her hips. “Jesus, Brendon. Will you lay off already? Quit pressuring me to do things I don’t want, okay?”

Brendon pressed his lips together and stared, eyes going wide as his jaw slid forward and back. She quickly looked away, having no interest in being on the receiving end of his stupid puppy-dog stare.

“You make it sound like I’m asking you to get a root canal.” Brendon huffed and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. “You’ve been in Seattle for six months and you have no friends, Darcy.”

She cut her eyes. “I have friends, thank you very much.” When all he did was stare blankly from the armchair, she insisted, “There’s Annie—”

“Who lives across the country.”

“And . . . and my coworkers. My FSA study group.”

Brendon arched a brow. “Your FSA study group. Yeah, you guys sound really close.”

She sniffed. “We are. There’s Amanda and Lin and . . . and . . . M- . . . Mariel?”

“Was that a question?”

What a smartass. Darcy glared.

Brendon didn’t even smirk. He just looked at her with pity and that was a million times worse than all his cajoling. “I know what happened in Philadelphia fucked you up—”

“It did not.”

“Fucked you over,” Brendon amended. “But you’ve got to let people in, Darcy. You’ve got to learn to trust people again. Put yourself out there, make some friends, meet someone. Please, Darce. Do it for me.”

Do it for me. Fuck. He made it all sound so simple when it was anything but.

“Fine, Brendon. I’ll work on it, okay?”

“You’ll go to speed dating with me?” he pressed.

That wasn’t what she meant, but Brendon wasn’t going to stop until her calendar was full of cooking classes and book clubs and dates. So. Many. Dates. He’d keep setting her up until she was happily paired off.

Wait.

That was it.

Brendon wasn’t going to stop until she was seeing someone, until he thought she was seeing someone.

“I can’t. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but I’m seeing someone.” There. She’d bought herself some time.

Except he frowned. “But you went out tonight. With Elle.”

Elle. Damn it.

Unless . . . no. With a little finesse, she could absolutely work this angle.

“Right.” Darcy nodded. “Elle. Maybe seeing someone is a bit premature, but she’s . . . she’s really something. She’s pretty.”

The furrow of Brendon’s brow deepened, forehead wrinkling as he puzzled over what she wasn’t saying. After a moment, his face cleared, his eyes doubling in size. “Hold the phone. You and Elle?”

She would not roll her eyes. “Me and Elle.”

“You two hit it off?” he pressed.