Game of Hearts by Kathryn J. Bain Page A

a real date."
    "Well, I'm glad you're going. It's good for you to go out. There for a while I thought you would be celibate the rest of your life."
    I glared down at her. I knew my cheeks were red because of the warmth in my face. The scary part was, I'd thought the same thing.
    "What? I do know about sex, Mom."
    I shook my head. "I just wish I hadn't agreed to the date this weekend. I have a lot of work to do."
    "It can wait and you know it. Your business is growing, so now your love life needs to grow also." She raised her eyebrows up and down.
    I jumped when the phone rang. Please let it be Brandon canceling. Then I can get back in my sweats.
    Sarah answered before I got the chance. I pulled out a red dress I'd worn to the last church dinner. I showed it to Sarah and she cringed. Maybe it had to do with the rhinestones on the front. It looked like someone had bedazzled it to death.
    "It's Ms. Mitchell." She held the phone out to me.
    I quickly covered myself with a robe. Not that Scarlett could see me, I just felt weird talking on the phone while half-naked. "Hi, Scarlett."
    "I was just calling to see how you're doing. I know you've got your big date tonight."
    "Yippee." How could I be enthusiastic when my palms dripped with sweat? "I can't believe I agreed to do this."
    "What're you talking about? Brandon's a nice guy, and I know he likes you."
    "It's been years since I've been out on a date. Things have changed. I'm not even sure how to act anymore."
    "Just be yourself."
    "Because I'm so impressive. I don't even know what to wear." I sighed. "I wish we hadn't had to cancel the card game. At least it would've taken my mind off this for a while."
    "By the way, I spoke to Jory this morning and she said her dad's doing better."
    "That's good."
    "Now tell me why you're feeling so down. You've got a good-looking man coming to pick you up in a few hours. What could be wrong?"
    "Nothing a facelift and a tummy tuck couldn't solve." I flopped back on my bed.
    "You don't need a facelift. You're a beautiful woman and have a lot to offer a man."
    "Yeah, right."
    A loud breath of air came over the line. "Brandon seems to find you attractive, or he wouldn't have asked you out. And he's not just anybody, he's a Navy man. I'm sure he looks good in his uniform. Look on the bright side—if you fall into the water, he'll be able to save you."
    "Yeah, but once he sees what he's caught he might throw me back in."
    "All right. That's enough of that type of talk. Tell me what's really bothering you."
    "I don't know. Maybe it's because Michael called earlier. He changed his mind about wanting the kids early. He insisted I bring them to the wedding instead. His fiancée even sent me an invitation. It says I can bring a date. Nothing like rubbing my nose in the fact he's moved on with his life while I'm standing still."
    "Why don't you ask Brandon to go with you?"
    "Like that won't scare him off." I laughed. "He'll think I'm trying to give him a hint. Besides, he doesn't see me as anything more than just a friend, I'm sure."
    "He must see you as more because he asked you out. If not, we just need to have him see you as a woman."
    I stood and looked again in the mirror. "Not much of one anymore."
    "That's enough of that. This isn't like you."
    "I guess I'm just worried that I care more for Brandon because of the way he looks than for what's inside. I'd rather be alone than put up with another man like Michael, or my father."
    "I know Brandon," Scarlett insisted. "He's a nice guy, nothing like Michael or your father."
    "Maybe I'm afraid I'm looking for a man to take care of me. I need to learn to take care of myself."
    "You do take care of yourself and your children." She paused. "I've got an idea. You need something to jumpstart your eagerness to go on this date. I'll be over in a little bit."
    Scarlett disconnected before I could say anything further. A stone dropped in the pit of my stomach. Uh-oh. What was she up to? And how bad was it