2. Leslie

CHAPTER 2

LESLIE

I push my glasses up on my nose, adjusting the comfy, oversized frames for the hundredth time this hour as I stare at the computer screen with my heart racing like a caffeinated squirrel.

A perky notification from the matchmaker pops up, and I quickly glance around to make sure my coworker and best friend, Alice, isn’t peeking. She’s nose-deep in her own work, thank goodness.

It all started days ago when I received a surprise email from the town's legendary secret matchmaker. She informed me I’d won her Love at Christmas giveaway and asked me to fill out the attached form to get started on my hunt for Mr. Right.

The matchmaker claims to have a remarkable intuition for pairing people, and her reputation is downright perfect. So, somehow, I filled out and submitted the form before I could talk myself out of it.

But I don’t just want any match. No, I stupidly requested to be paired with the Midnight Falls bad boy, Asa. Just the mention of his name sends a shiver down my spine and a million butterflies swarming in my stomach. His muscular, tattooed arms could probably lift an entire car, and his smirk can charm the pants off of any woman under the age of ninety. Not that I’ve ever spoken to him. We exist in two entirely different worlds. He’s a well-known hell raiser, and I’m the classic “nerdy girl next door” working in my parents’ car dealership.

I stare at the most recent email from the matchmaker in shock. I read it ten times to make sure it really says Asa Steele agreed to a date—with me. It feels like I’ve won the lottery and have been hit by a bus all at once.

I open the email again, scanning the words as if they might magically change. “Dear Leslie, your match is excited for your upcoming date. Please confirm the date, time, and location.”

A rush of panic washes over me. What if he’s disappointed when he finds out his date is with the nerdy girl who’s too shy to talk to him on a normal day? Oh boy. I’m going to throw up.

“Why are you staring at the screen like it’s a snake about to strike?” Alice walks up behind me. Shoot. I was so caught up in the email that I forgot all about her.

I spin in my chair, a rush of adrenaline making me feel like a cartoon character. “I did something stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.” Regret blasts through my soul.

“Oh, come on,” she soothes. “It can’t be that bad.”

“I won the Silver Spoon Falls matchmaker’s Christmas contest.” It sounds so silly saying it out loud. “And requested Asa Steele as my match.”

Her eyes widen comically, and for a moment, I wonder if she might just hyperventilate. “Are you serious? Asa? The ginormous, grumpy, tattooed, bad boy? That Asa?”

“Yes, that one,” I grumble, rubbing my temples. “What have I done?”

“Girl, you’ve snagged a date with the hottest guy in town!” She claps her hands together, her enthusiasm palpable. “This is a huge deal! We need to plan your look. You’ve got to dazzle him. Now, tell me all about the date.”

I roll my eyes despite the swirl of anxious energy bubbling in my stomach. “He’s taking me to see The Nutcracker on opening night at the Silver Spoon Theater on Friday night.”

“Ooh. Hot and a big spender.” She fans herself. “Perfect man.” My friend is so freaking overdramatic, but I love her. “You have to choose an outfit that screams, ‘I’m fun, I’m charming, and I’m absolutely worth your attention!’”

“I definitely don’t own anything like that,” I scoff, gesturing down to my trusty polo shirt and khaki pants.

“That means we get to shop.” She practically vibrates with excitement. I’m tempted to refuse, but I catch a glimpse of the determination shining in her eyes and realize there’s no use.

“Okay,” I give in, biting my lip nervously. “But it will have to be tomorrow night. Tonight is my book club.” The phone on her desk rings, interrupting us.

“And book club is more important than this date,” she mutters as she walks over to answer the call.

After a long day at the office, I find myself in my car with Alice, heading to the Silver Spoon Falls Mall. We find the mall practically deserted, which makes me feel a little better. At least, there won’t be many witnesses to my outfit hunt.

Alice grabs my arm, wheeling me toward the first store before I even have a chance to breathe. “We need to find you the perfect outfit. The perfect outfit to wow your bad boy!”

“Right,” I murmur, suddenly feeling a little sick to my stomach. “That’s what we’re doing.”

We’re soon rifling through racks of clothes; Alice pulls out a sheer skirt that could barely serve as a belt. “This one! This will look amazing on you!” She holds up a napkin-sized piece of material.

I shake my head vehemently and sidestep. “Nope. Not happening. I’m not going out in public in that.” I point at the black piece of material.

She rolls her eyes dramatically as we continue shopping. She drags me toward a store with a shimmering facade and a diverse array of clothing options, each one more eye-popping than the last. “This isn’t the right store for me.” I look around, noticing all the skinny, half-dressed mannequins.”

At the next shop, Alice yanks me toward a few skirts, some significantly too short for my liking. “How about this?”

“Still too much.”

“Okay, okay. We can compromise. How about a dress?” She pulls a stunning blue sweater dress from the rack. “This one will hug your curves and still keep some mystery.”

I take the dress in my hands, running my fingers over the soft fabric. “Is hugging my curves a good thing?”

“You’re gorgeous and you should show off your beautiful figure,” my friend huffs. “Just try it on.” The determination in her voice makes me laugh.

Setting my insecurities aside, I wander into the fitting room, quickly shedding my work attire and slipping into the dress. Wow. It actually feels and looks great! It accentuates the parts I like while hiding what I don’t. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and suddenly feel a surge of confidence. I can totally pull this off.

I step out, twirling a little for Alice, who looks at me with stars in her eyes. “Oh my, you look incredible! He’s going to drop dead when he sees you!”

I definitely hope so.

I can’t believe it’s finally Friday. I usually look forward to my half days at the dealership, but today, my palms are sweating. By the time I hit my front door, I’m a nervous wreck. I’ve been vacillating between excitement and dread every time I think about what I’m doing tonight.

I stumble in, kicking off my shoes and tossing my work bag haphazardly on the couch. “Time to pull up my big girl panties and get to work,” I mutter to myself, heading for the bathroom.

I crank the water up hot enough to make my skin tingle and stand under the spray, letting it wash away the office grime and stress. The steam wraps around me as I mentally prepare for my date.

After showering, I whip my hair into some semblance of order before tackling my makeup. A few swipes of eyeliner and mascara later, I catch my reflection. Courage and charm meet in the determined sparkle of my eyes. “Not today, insecurities,” I tell myself. “You’re not ruining this chance for me.”

I throw on the blue sweater dress I picked out and stare at myself in the mirror. Alice was right; it clings to my curves perfectly. For a moment, I admire myself, my body bathed in the flattering blue fabric.

I grab a pair of high heels and slip them on. Feeling like Bambi on ice, I wobble through my small house. “How do people do this?” I mumble to no one in particular. The heels definitely scream ‘date night,’ but I’m not ready to roll the dice on breaking an ankle in front of Asa. No way, no how.

With rapid movements, I ditch the heels in favor of a pair of cute leather flats that may lack height but compliment my newfound confidence. With one last glance at myself—briefly pleased but still wrestling with anxiety—I dial Alice’s number.

She’s been on board for this whole chaotic journey and deserves to know everything. She answers on the first ring. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes.” I glance in the mirror and turn side to side to make sure everything is where it’s supposed to be. “Now, I’m just trying to stay calm until it’s time to leave.”

“I’m glad you decided to drive yourself,” Alice tells me.

“Me too.” The matchmaker balked when I insisted on driving myself to the theater, but I refused to bend on this.

“I want all the details!” Her enthusiasm radiates through my phone. “Call me as soon as you get home no matter how late it is.”

Rolling my eyes, I can picture her bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Yes, Mom, I promise.” I chuckle as she gets another call.

“I have to go, but don’t forget to call me,” she tells me as she hangs up.

As I gulp in a nervous breath, I toss my phone into my purse and head toward the door. Okay, I can do this.

But with every step out the door, self-doubt rushes in to crash my party. Before I spiral further into the depths of anxiety, I take a deep breath. I can’t back out now. I refuse to let this opportunity slip through my fingers. Maybe this date will be amazing. Maybe Asa will actually be interested in the real me, the girl who’s more than just the office nerd. Or not. If not, his freaking loss.

With resolve flooding my veins, I step outside, air hitting my face like a jolt of energy. “Here goes nothing,” I whisper, ready or not.