Operation Date Escape

sometime.”
    “If we’re comparing my blind date compatibility to the lotto, then odds are I’ll have to go out on a million or so more dates before my mother finally hits the jackpot.”
    “I’m trying to think positive here.”
    “That makes one of us.”
    “It’s a good thing we’re going out on the town tonight. A couple of drinks, a little dancing, and you’ll be in a much better frame of mind.”
    “ The last time we had drinks together I had no mind left by the time I got home. I’m sticking to Diet Coke tonight.”
    Nanci shrugged. “Suit yourself. You can be my designated driver tonight. I feel like letting loose tonight.”
    Kelsie laughed. “Tonight? Who are you kidding? You always let loose.”
    Her friend’s gaze shifted her direction. “Something I’m trying very hard to teach you to do.”
    She’d let loose with Cole and look what happened. She’d slept with him. The memory of his large hands caressing every inch of her naked body had her fighting the urge to squirm in her seat.
    Kelsie groaned.
    “You okay?” Nanci asked as she pulled her cell from her purse.
    “Just a little tired.”
    “Well perk up. We’ve got a big night ahead of us.”
    She forced all thoughts of Cole from her mind. Or, at least, shoved them as far back in her mind as she could. What was it going to take to make her forget about Cole Maxwell?
    Nanci punched a few numbers into her phone and brought it to her ear.
    “Who you calling?”
    “ Joe. I told him I’d give him a call before I went out tonight.”
    “Hmm, this thing with Joe sounds serious. Almost commitment-like.”
    “Hardly,” her friend replied, though not convincingly enough for Kelsie to believe her.
    “ Well, when you talk to Joe just remember I’m not with you.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I don’t want Cole showing up wherever it is we’re going.”
    “ He doesn’t seem the stalker type. Besides this is girl’s night. No men allowed.” Nanci laughed and tipped her head away. “No, I wasn’t talking to you.” She mouthed Joe’s name before turning her attention back to her phone call and the road ahead. “I was talking to Kelsie.”
    “So much for him not knowing I’m with you,” she muttered.
    “He doesn’t know where we’re going. You’re safe.” She laughed again and glanced her way. “Yes, she’s still in hiding.”
    “I’m not hiding,” she said in her own defense. “Just avoiding the inevitable.”
    “ Joe wants to talk to you.”
    She wanted to strangle her friend as she reached for the phone. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Hello?”
    “ Cole really is a good guy. I wish you’d give him a chance.”
    Awkward.
    “Look, Joe. I know you and Cole are really good friends. If I were in the market for a great guy, he’d top the list. But I’m not looking for anyone right now.”
    “Guess it’s a good thing he’s moving on then.”
    “Moving on?” Joe’s words stabbed at her heart. She had no right to feel that way. After all, she was the one who’d ended things with Cole.
    “I think he ’s finally realizing that things would never go anywhere with the two of you. He’s looking for a woman willing to share his future with him.”
    Well, that hadn’t taken him long. If a man could move on that easily, she was better off without him. “I’m happy for him,” she said, forcing the lie out with as much believability as she could muster. “I’ll give you back to Nanci now.”
    Nanci reached for her phone. “What the hell did he say?”
    “Cole’s over me,” Kelsie muttered, hating the prick of tears at the back of her eyes.
    Her friend frowned. “If I had known you were going to tell her that, I wouldn’t have put you on with her. Men,” she grumbled. “I have to go. Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She snapped her phone shut and shoved it back into her purse. “Sorry about that. I had no idea what Joe was going to say, though I assumed it had something to do with Cole.”
    Kelsie kept her gaze pinned to the passing buildings outside. “It’s okay.”
    “No, it’s not. I thought he was going to try and convince you to go out with Cole again. If I had known...”
    “Really, I’m okay with it,” she lied.
    “Yeah, I can tell. I didn’t realize Cole had moved on. I was sure you and he... Well, damn.”
    “I ended things between us. He has every right to move on?”
    “I suppose, but I really thought he might be the one.”
    “How many times do I have