A Twist of Date: Better Date than Never, #5

By Susan Hatler

Melanie Porter has been dumped—again. When others accuse her of "being in love with being in love," she agrees to let her best friend, Patti, step in and direct her dating life.

 

The Boyfriend Bylaws

 

Rule #1: No giving out your phone number until approved to do so.

 

Rule #2: Must obtain permission to accept any date invitation.

 

Rule #3: No bringing up marriage, kids or the future.

 

Rule #4: No going to first base without authorization.

 

Amended Rule #4: No going to first base, or any other base, without authorization.

 

Rule #5: No scribbling your first name with some guy's last name. Ever.

 

Rule #6: New rules may be added as Patti Hartley deems necessary.

 

Memorize it, live by it, and happy dating!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hatco Publishing
• Release date: Jul 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781516315802

Susan Hatler

SUSAN HATLER è una Scrittrice Bestseller del New York Times e di USA Today. Scrive romanzi contemporanei umoristici e sentimentali e racconti per giovani adulti. Molti dei libri di Susan sono stati tradotti in tedesco, spagnolo, italiano e francese. Ottimista d’indole, Susan crede che la vita sia strabiliante, che le persone siano affascinanti, e che la fantasia sia infinita. Ama trascorrere il tempo con i suoi personaggi e spera che anche tu lo faccia. Puoi contattare Susan qui: Facebook: facebook.com/authorsusanhatler Twitter: twitter.com/susanhatler Sito internet: susanhatler.com/italiano Blog: susanhatler.com/category/susans-blog

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Some women believe in for better or worse. My mother preferred to kiss my dad arrivederci to go find herself, and she’d chosen the most awkward phase of my life to do this. I’d been fifteen when she left us. As a teen Barbie look-alike, I had hormone-driven guys calling constantly, and no mom to give me advice.

To multiply my misery, my dad had married my stepmom, Janet, and I’d spent the rest of my teen years being compared to her can-do-no-wrong daughter, Kaitlin.

Not my fondest memories.

Despite my parents’ failed marriage and my own fleeting relationships, I’d found hope in the romance novels I’d devoured—hope for the kind of love that lasted a lifetime. So I’d never given up, and now I had Brad.

After years dating the wrong men, I’d finally found a keeper. Brad Jones and I had been inseparable for three weeks. He was fun, gorgeous, and a total gentleman. Ready to take the next step with him, I’d hit the mall yesterday, purchased the perfect lingerie, and tonight I’d put it to good use.

Although it was five-thirty in the morning, I strode through the front door of Totally Fit, ready to rock my Zumba class like I’d never taught it before. Good morning!

Morning, Mel. Matt Thompson, my co-worker and friend, smiled from behind the front counter and closed the thick book he’d been reading. What’s the word?

I dropped my athletic bag on the tattered linoleum floor and set my portable iPod docking station on the counter. The word of the day is yumzy.

Matt stood, leaned against the counter, and raised a brow. Yumzy?

Visions of my date last night with Brad danced through my head. We’d gone to the Sacramento Kings game, which had been a blast. Afterward, we’d stopped for drinks at a posh bar downtown, then strolled hand in hand to my place where things had gotten hot and heavy.

Remembering his delicious kisses made me smile. Yumzy.

Matt rapped his fingers on the cheap, white countertop. Is it safe to assume you’re not talking about food?

I shook my head, and my ponytail flopped to the opposite shoulder. Actually, he could be considered dessert.

Matt frowned. "Is he that guy you’ve been flirting with over in free weights?"

Brad. I sighed, picturing how our names might look in Monotype Corsiva on our eventual wedding invitations. Melanie Porter and Brad Jones—forever.

Mel. Matt slipped his hands around mine and traced my knuckles in slow circles, sending goose bumps up my neck. When are you going to give up on other guys and realize I’m the one for you?

Matt loved to flirt. But, thanks to Erica, I knew not to take him seriously. Erica Conner, the other aerobics instructor at Totally Fit, had dated Matt a few times after he’d started working here last year. She’d told me, confidentially, that she’d broken it off after finding out he was seeing other girls. Playing the field was so not my scene. Aren’t you already dating someone, Matt?

His eyes locked with mine. I’d drop all women for you.

No, really, I said, ignoring the electric zap bolting through me from his intense gaze. Instead, I focused on the image of a petite brunette, wearing a sexy red dress and dancing very close to Matt. You’re dating that girl. You introduced her to me at The Oasis a few weeks ago, when the girls and I were out celebrating Erica’s final laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal? His shoulders jerked spastically as if ants were crawling up his neck. That’s way more than I needed to know.

I rolled my eyes. My point is you had a girl with you.

Eileen. That’s over. He continued caressing my knuckles with the perfect amount of pressure. So? Let’s go on a date. Anywhere you want.

As he expertly massaged my hands, a tingle curled up my spine, and I couldn’t help wondering what his other talents might be. But, at twenty-seven, I couldn’t afford the distraction from a meaningful relationship—no matter how tempting. Regretfully, I slipped my hands free. You know, Matt—

I know only what you tell me.

His endearing expression warmed my belly, but I refused to fall for him. Besides, I had Brad now. I can’t date you.

He gave me a side-glance. Sure you can.

Hey. I tapped his arm, playfully. You just said you only know what I tell you.

He shrugged. I take it back.

I guffawed. Your word’s your word. You can’t just take it back.

Too late. He grinned. Already did.

Why would you want to go out with me anyway? My tone was casual, even though I was secretly dying to know. I mean, you’re getting a PhD in philosophy and I’m an aerobics instructor. We have zilch in common.

I cringed, remembering the time he’d told me Plato fascinated him. I’d replied that, as a kid, I’d eaten my fair share of Play-Doh and loved the salty taste. Matt had explained that Plato had been a Greek philosopher. He hadn’t laughed at my mistake, but I’d clearly supplied him with enough ammo to fire off an entirely new batch of blonde jokes. So mortifying.

Suddenly, the corners of his mouth curved upward. I want to date you, because you make cleaning toilets fun.

Now there’s a compliment. I laughed, knowing what he was referring to. Rudy, the owner of Totally Fit, had canceled the janitorial service last week to save a few bucks. That left the staff with the task of cleaning the bathrooms. Yuck. To make it bearable, I’d created The Echo Competition. We each took turns singing at the top of our lungs while scrubbing, to see who could make the worst-sounding echo. I’d never have guessed our voices could crack like that. We have good times, don’t we?

My day brightens every time I’m with you. So, say yes and go out with me. His tone sounded deadly serious, which was so unlike him.

Stunned, I bit my lip, then swallowed. I’m with Brad.

His jaw tensed, then he started straightening the various business cards, brochures, and workout schedules displayed on the counter—even though they were already in impeccable order. He’s wrong for you.

Tension thickened like a wall between us, but what could I do? Matt may be sweet, but casual dating didn’t interest me. My mom had told my dad till death do us part, then she’d hightailed it to Colorado, or wherever she currently lived. It was my life’s mission to be the exact opposite of that woman.

Thinking of my mom caused a stab of pain. She and I hadn’t spoken much in the last year, because I’d been avoiding her calls. Hearing about her adventures—with a new man almost every time—had gotten old, and only reminded me that Dad and I hadn’t been enough. Unfortunately, I didn’t know if it felt worse talking to her or not talking to her.

Ding! Ding!

The front door punched open behind

Reviews for A Twist of Date

[Andrea Author · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Struggling with childhood abandonment issues, Melanie seeks a commitment from every guy she dates—even before making sure she likes him. In frustration, her roommate comes up with a list of dating rules for Mel to follow. This time, will she finally find true love?

Mel is such a fun heroine. She's vivacious and oriented toward making other people happy, yet she's never a doormat. People aren't always as good to her as she is to them, so it's satisfying when she ends up with the man she deserves. This rom com / chick lit has some quirky moments that made me smile, like the employees crowding into the supply closet to listen in on the boss's conversation. Another fresh and funny read from Susan Hatler!

My thanks to the author for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.