you haven’t been on a date in four years. Lily wants you to be happy. And I already told this woman you were coming, so you’re going.” Lily bounced up and down. “And I helped Aunt Emma pick her. She’s really pretty and she likes fashion just like me.”
Jake’s head snapped toward the phone. “Wait, you let a six-year-old help pick my date?” Emma had the decency to look slightly guilty. “She saw the profile and said you’d like her, and honestly, Lily’s got better instincts than you do.” Jake sighed because arguing with both of them was like arguing with a brick wall, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. “Fine. One date, but when this is a disaster, I’m blaming both of you.”
Twenty minutes later, Sophia’s car made a sound that no car should ever make. Kind of like a dying cat mixed with a garbage disposal, and then it just completely gave up on life right there on a dark road three miles from the cafe. She sat there in her heels and designer coat watching snow start to fall and thought about how this was clearly the universe telling her to go home, except her phone showed 7:05 and she was already late and Mia would literally never let her hear the end of it if she bailed now.
She called the tow company and got the wonderful news that they had a two-hour wait because apparently everyone’s car decided to break down on Christmas Eve. She texted Mia that this was a sign from God and got back an all-caps message that said, “No. Call an Uber. Don’t you dare bail.” Sophia was about to do exactly that when headlights appeared behind her and an older pickup truck pulled up. Her first thought was, “This is how horror movies start. Woman alone on dark road.” But then a guy got out and he looked normal enough, maybe mid-thirties, nice face, and he was walking over with his hands visible like he was trying not to scare her.
“Ma’am, you okay? Car trouble?” His voice was kind, a little rough around the edges, and Sophia felt herself relax just slightly. “Yes. It just died. What do you think?” “No way. Says two hours.” The guy nodded. “Mind if I take a look? I’m a mechanic. Might be able to help.” Sophia blinked because what were the odds and watched him pop her hood and lean in with a little flashlight from his keychain. And within about thirty seconds, he’d figured out what was wrong.
“Your alternator’s shot, but I can patch it enough to get you where you’re going. Where you headed?” “Ever Cafe on Maple Street,” Sophia said, checking her watch. “7:10 now. So much for making a good first impression.” The mechanic straightened up and laughed, and it was such a genuine sound it caught her off guard. “No kidding. That’s where I’m going too. Small world.”