Page 93 of The Deal Breaker
“You look beautiful.”
Heat rushed up Iris’s neck. That was a compliment coming from Hadley, who dressed nicely even on a Saturday. “Would you want to go on a date?”
“I…” Iris’s instinct was to say no, but… “Maybe. I’m still getting over what happened, and I’m not sure if I should be completely over Dash before I date again.”
“That is an individual’s choice. Some enjoy jumping into the dating pool immediately. Others wait weeks, months, even years.” Hadley took a sip. “If you want to dip your toe into the water, I have a client who might be a solid match for you.”
This sounded familiar. ”The same guy you mentioned before?”
“No, he would have been an excellent choice for you, but he’s seriously dating another person I introduced him to.” Hadley’s smile lit up her face. “I have a feeling an engagement will be announced soon.”
Whoa. Iris’s “serious” dating was limited, but she couldn’t imagine getting engaged so quickly. “Congrats, but that was fast.”
“Sometimes people click. That’s the case here. And I must admit, I get chills when it happens.” Hadley stared over the lip of her glass. “Think you want to meet him?”
“I don’t know if my heart will be in it.” Dash was still on her mind a lot. Though not as much as before. “I don’t want to lead anyone on.”
“The first meetings are low-key, usually coffee. It’s a safe and comfortable date with a limited time commitment so you can check each other out. In your case, it would be a good way to put yourself out there again and get back into the feel of dating.”
She couldn’t believe she was considering this, but maybe this would help her to move forward. “So no expectations from either party?”
“None,” Hadley said. “And you’d be doing me a favor.”
Iris twirled her straw. “How so?”
“This client has specific requirements.”
That sounded weird. “Such as?”
“A foodie.”
“At least we’d have something to talk about.”
“Right?” Hadley laughed. “Another is, loves chocolate.”
“Who doesn’t love chocolate?” Henry had sent her a box of chocolates from Welton Wines and Chocolate in Hood Hamlet. They’d been scrumptious. “But I guess that’s another thing we have in common that we could discuss.”
“Believes in happily ever afters.”
“Wow.” She couldn’t believe a guy would have that as a requirement. “I must admit I’m intrigued now.”
Hadley leaned forward over the table. “So is that a yes?”
“I…” Iris hesitated, weighing the pros and the cons. The biggest knowing she would be dating someone who wasn’t Dash. “Just coffee?”
Hadley nodded.
One date couldn’t hurt. “Okay, yes.”
* * *
Three days later, Iris hurried to a locally owned coffee shop two blocks from her apartment. She wanted to arrive early, so she could order a drink and find a seat before she met EC, Hadley’s client, who was described as being tall and handsome.
An excellent combination, but Iris wished she knew something more specific about the guy. Hadley said he would recognize her and not to worry.
Easier said than done.
Inside the coffee shop, jazz music played. Smiling people occupied a few tables. Iris hoped she would smile soon, but she bit her lip instead. When she reached the counter, she ordered a chai latte. If the meeting got awkward, or she bolted, she didn’t want EC to have paid for her.
