Page 33 of Better Together

“The blooper reel Chloe put together,” Elsie announced.

Alexis stopped with her spoon at her lips. “Bloopers?”

Susan giggled. “Emma is such a card. When she said she peed a little, I think I did too.”

James shook his head at his wife’s hilarity.

“There’s a blooper reel?” Alexis’s face flushed.

James leaned over and stage-whispered, “It’s mostly of Zeke. I would never jeopardize your reputation.”

Elsie placed a reassuring hand on hers. “You’ll have complete say in what is posted. What Chloe showed us was a presentation for our eyes only.”

Alexis released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She needed to see this blooper reel, but first she needed to get ready for her date.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

In Alexis’s experience, old back injuries—much like your monthly “friend” arriving complete with cramps, discomfort, and the need for medication—tended to creep up at times that just weren’t convenient. Times like, for instance, the third blind date her friends had arranged for her.

Bent over at the waist, Alexis clutched her mid back. Having it seize up in the middle of the already-uncomfortable encounter was bad enough, but what worried her even more was that she had a set of cabinets to hang tomorrow and not enough guys to get the job done without her.

“Are you okay?” Date Number Three asked. How had she forgotten his name? What was she supposed to say? That she was fine? She wasn’t in the mood to deal with a blind date, especially one who stood at five foot seven—three inches shorter than her. What was Lily thinking?

“Nope. Not okay. My back went out. I need to head home.”

“Oh. Okay. What can I do to help?”

Cringing and taking short breaths through the pain, she limped her way through the crowd of gyrating dancers, Date Number Three following behind. Her head pounded from the strobe lights. She felt eighty-two, not twenty-eight. Luckily, she’d worn leggings under her skirt, so her backside wasn’t on display as she limped her way to the exit.

She winced as she assessed the likelihood of getting in and out of her date’s sports car, the seat inches from the ground.

“Could you call Lily? Her car may be easier to get in and out of.”

“Of course, right away.”

* * *

Ten minutes later, Lily double-parked in front of the night club. “Oh my gosh, Alexis. What happened?”

“An old back injury. I just need to lie on the couch for a day and it’ll right itself.” Lily wrapped an arm around Alexis’s side to support her as she helped her into her car. Alexis whispered through gritted teeth, “What’s my date’s name again?”

Lily snickered. “Josh. It went that well, huh?”

Alexis had to give the guy credit; he had stayed with her and kept her company until Lily arrived.

Josh stood by the car door while Lily helped Alexis into the seat, helped her swing her legs in, and fastened her seat belt.

“Thanks, Josh, and I’m really sorry I ruined your night.”

“Don’t be sorry. I heard tall girls sometimes have back problems.”

“Okay then. Bye.” It was too bad he couldn’t see her eye roll.

“Even his feet are small,” Alexis said when she was alone in the car with Lily, noticing only because she’d been bent over.

“Well, you dodged a bullet, I guess. You know what they say about small feet.” Lily laughed as she pulled into traffic.

Alexis shuddered. “Well, it’s a good thing my back went out.”