Dating for Keeps by Coleen Kwan

Author:Coleen Kwan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance, Entangled, Bliss, sweet romance, romance, Pine Falls, dating, matchmaker, small town, ugly duckling, quirky
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“You’re really into all this knitting stuff, aren’t you?”

Lily pressed her lips together. “Yes, I guess I am.”

And I told you twice already it’s crocheting, not knitting. She tried to tamp down her carping inner critic. But it was hard.

The man at her side flicked a finger at her crocheted dress that—to her utter amazement earlier—had won second prize at the county fair. “You’re actually going to wear this?”

The dress was a startling mix of colors, textures, and shapes, with no discernible pattern. She’d improvised all the way, following her instincts as she pieced it together. It was eclectic, eccentric, and she hadn’t intended it to be worn, but his skepticism made her feel contrary.

“I don’t see why not. It suits my personality, don’t you think?”

He glanced at her patchwork overalls and let out a small cough. “Yes, I see. Anyway, getting back to my question about the lawn care service…”

Holding back a sigh, Lily pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes, you can claim your lawn care service as a deduction.”

“Oh cool.” He stroked his manicured beard. “I’ll make a note of that.”

This date had not gone at all the way she’d envisioned. At first, she and Dudley had chatted about normal, first-date things, like food, music, and movies. The bustle of the county fair had helped with the odd moments of awkwardness, and she’d grown relaxed. In the flesh Dudley was skinnier and shorter than his photos suggested, and he seemed to take great pride in his neatly trimmed beard, his fingers constantly grooming its bristly hairs.

Dudley had talked about his mortgage brokering business at great length. Then he asked about her job. At first she appreciated the close attention he paid to her, but after several questions on deductions and capital depreciations it started to feel like he was just pumping her for free tax advice. When they’d walked into the exhibition hall and she’d shown him her garment that had won second prize, her excitement had bubbled up again, and, she had to admit, she’d rambled on about crocheting. But Dudley didn’t seem very curious about her interests.

“I wasn’t sure about what qualifies as a home office expense,” Dudley said.

“If you’re meeting clients in your home, then it’s part of your expenses, but, like I said before, it’s only in proportion to how much space your office occupies.”

“Sure. Thanks, Lily. It’s really great you’re giving me all this tax advice.”

“Glad I could help. I’ll send you the bill tomorrow,” she quipped, keeping a straight face.

His mouth fell open before he gave a weak laugh. “Haw haw. You’ve got a sense of humor. I like that.”

I was only half kidding, she thought.

A plump, gray-haired woman bustled up to Lily, beaming with pleasure. “Ah, Lily! Congratulations on winning second prize! You deserve it.”

Lily returned the smile. “Thanks, Eleni. I wasn’t sure if the judges would like my unusual design.” She introduced her to Dudley, adding, “Eleni owns the yarn store in town. She’s a needlecraft enthusiast like me.

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