Page 57 of Playing the Backbeat

Unable to find my words, I nod. I unlock my phone, pulling up the dating app that’s still logged into Dee’s profile.

I don’t know what it says about me that every single message I received while managing her account sent a spike of searing hot pain through my chest. Putting that aside, I took this seriously. It was my idea after all. I know I’ve found the perfect date for Dee. It’ll be up to her if she decides to bring them to the wedding.

We swap phones. One look at her screen and my stomach falls, pitting painfully in my stomach. I have no idea why. The woman’s profile picture is beautiful. She’s a knockout, but my mind instantly rejects the idea of being anywhere near Aiden and Bec’s wedding with her.Fuck, what is wrong with me?

“Ooo, she’s cute!” Dee exclaims, scrolling through the profile of the woman I’ve matched her with for the date tonight. “Math nerd, aw.” She places a hand on her chest. “A woman after my own heart. An Aries? Interesting. Could be explosive.” She gives me a devious look. “Fireworks or justfire. That remains to be seen, I guess.”

I nod along, having no idea what her assessment means, but not wanting her to sense my hesitation. I scroll through the rest of Vanessa’s profile. She sounds great. She’s even a musician. A bassist.

So why do I feel nothing?Not a spark of excitement. No intrigue.

This was a mistake.

“So…” Dee bounces on the balls of her feet, phone pressed between her hands as she looks at me expectantly. “What do you think of Vanessa?”

“Great,” I say with as much enthusiasm as I can drum up. Maybe I’m coming down with something. That has to be why my heart’s not in this. This woman is perfect on paper.

“Female bass players. Like I said years ago, they’re the only musicians capable of rivaling a drummer’s hotness in my book.” She winks. “I fucking won, didn’t I?” She holds her hands up ina placating motion. “I know what you’re going to say, too soon to tell, but I have a good feeling about her, you know?”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Something wrong?” she asks, sensing my lack of enthusiasm.

I slap my palms on my thighs, standing over Dee, watching her fingers dig into her hips as she waits impatiently for my answer.

“Just nerves. Haven’t been on a date in a while.” I swallow, trying and failing to keep my eyes off her cleavage, visible and so fucking tempting from this angle as I tower over Dee’s shorter frame.

Fuck, I’m a shitty friend.

“I know it’s not ideal that we took so long to set up these dates. We really only have one shot at finding someone to bring to the wedding,” she says. “But you know I didn’t really want to bring anyone to the wedding anyway, so there’s no pressure. I wasn’t really worried about dating at all, but you might be Cupid in disguise because I don’t think I’ve matched with anyone this promising all year.”

I attempt a smile. “Happy to help. And I’m sure Vanessa is great.” I shrug. “Even if it’s too soon to ask her to the wedding. Who knows? Could lead anywhere.”

Seeing too much, she checks in again. “You sure you’re feeling okay? We can reschedule if…”

“I’m fine.” I close my hand around hers, immediately dropping them when her surprised gaze locks on mine. I step around her. “Let’s head out. We don’t want to be late.”

Chapter twenty-six

Dee

Dylan’s been acting weird all night. I try to shake this nagging need to check his table every so often, just to make sure he’s okay, but it’s hopeless. Something was definitely off when we left our apartment.

My phone buzzes from my bag, and I apologize to Stephanie before checking it to make sure it isn’t Morgan, Emi, or one of the girls with an emergency.

Dylan: How’s it going?

Why the fuck is he texting me?

“Do you need to get that? Feel free…” Stephanie adds.

“Oh, no. I’ll just let them know I’m busy.” I wave off her concern and she smiles before taking another bite of her breadstick.

Dee: Do you mind? I’m trying to focus here.

“I’m going to run to the restroom really quick. Fingers crossed this is one of those instances where it just takes someone leaving the table for the food to come. I’m starving.” Stephanie laughs, and so do I. She’s sweet.

“Thanks for taking one for the team,” I say before she heads toward the back of the restaurant.