Read Online A Twist of Date by Susan Hatler - Free Book Online Page B

pizza slice. “My mom. She’s going hiking for three weeks with some guy I’ve never heard of, and she wants me to call her before she goes.”
    Patti kept her eyes on the TV. “Are you going to?”
    “I don’t know.” I bit off the pizza corner, cheese and sauce oozing in my mouth. “What’s the point?”
    “Because she’s your mom?” She settled on a channel, then set the remote down. “I know how flaky she is, but n her defense, she’s called…what? Ten times or so? And, you’re the one who hasn’t called her back.”
    I shrugged. “I don’t have anything to say to her.”
    “Sure you do.” Patti turned to face me. “You have plenty to say, which is why you’re not returning her calls.”
    Ugh. I did not want to avoid anything anymore, but I didn’t want to think about my mom.
    “Nick’s officially asked me out.” I blurted, just to change the subject. “I need your almight permission to say yes. You know, rule number two and all.”
    She wiggled her eyebrows. “Ah, the Italian stallion.”
    “Ha ha.” I let her get her kicks out while I swallowed my bite. “So, can I go out with him?”
    “No.” Patti’s voice went flat. “I already told you not to date where you work.”
    “Oh, come on.” I’d played by her bylaws, and now she was saying no? “That was not a rule. You merely said it in passing.” 
    Silence.
    I felt like smacking Patti with the pizza box, but figured that wouldn’t help me achieve my goal. Part of me wondered why I was even trying, though. Did I really want to go out with Nick? Remembering his cute smile, I told myself of course I did.
    “Nick is super nice.” It took all my effort to sound interested. “He has potential, really. So, per our agreement, I’m requesting permission to accept the date. Okay?”
    “No.” Patti’s voice was gruff. “At least, not until you answer some questions.”
    I hadn’t expected that one. “Fine.” 
    “How did he ask you out?”
    I rolled my eyes. “We were talking about my dance classes, then he asked if I wanted to go to a club.”
    “I see,” she said, making me wonder what she saw. “He’s a clubber. One of those guys.”
    “He’s not,” I said, because it seemed to be true. “He hasn’t been to any clubs since he moved to Sac, and I’m actually the one who brought up the club thing. I don’t know how often he went in Arizona though. He just moved here.”
    “Doesn’t sound like you know too much about him.” She gave me a skeptical look. “Do you like him?”
    I winced. Sometimes she was so insightful, it was scary. “He seems nice.” I said, then remembered how hard it had been to keep a flowing conversation with him. “But, I guess I don’t know yet.”
    Patti smiled. “So, he’s not The One.”
    I picked up a pillow off the couch and smacked her with it.
    She busted up laughing, grabbed another pillow, then hit me back. “Fine. You can have one date with the Italian studmeister. But, you’d better get to know a lot more about him if you expect permission for another date.”
    “Thanks, Patti.” I picked up a second slice of pizza. “I’ll even find out his shoe size.”
    “Definitely find out his shoe size.” Patti laughed. “By verbal means only. Boyfriend bylaw number four.

 
     
    Chapter Eight
     
    I strode into Totally Fit on Friday morning, and rounded the desk, hoping Matt wouldn’t stop me.
    He was reading a book, but glanced up as I passed by. “What’s the word?”
    “You tell me,” I said, slowing my pace, but avoiding his eyes.
    “That again.” He sounded annoyed. “Ugh.”
    “Ugh.” I nodded enthusiastically. “Great word. Be sure to let Steve know, because I have to do . . . something.”
    Like avoid accidentally touching him, so he doesn’t cringe. Or, make sure he doesn’t ask me if I’m going out with Nick. Not that it was a secret since I was allowed to date whoever I wanted.
    Why did I feel the need to remind myself of that?
    I walked into the