All the tension dissipates in an instant. Ethel, Mona, Beth, and Vivian all turn extremely pleased eyes to Jasper a moment before swarming the poor man. Collette, on the other hand, keeps her behind firmly planted in her chair and rolls her eyes so hard, I swear I can hear it.

“See!” Beth rests her hand on Jasper’s arm and looks up at him with an expression so pure, it almost thaws my frozen heart. “We knew you were a smart one!”

“With exquisite taste too.” Vivian grabs onto his other arm. “Now, didn’t you mention that you’re staying in Denver to write your next book?”

Jasper looks almost fearful for his life as he nods. “Yes, I’ll be here for a few months.”

“Oh my. That must be so lonely, all alone in a new city,” Mona pipes in, and at the tone of her voice, all amusement I was feeling watching Jasper draped with Dirty Birds is replaced by dread. Because that tone? I know it well. It’s the prequel to terrible blind dates and awkward phone conversations with their ideal male suitors.

“It’s not too bad. I actually don’t—” he starts, but is promptly cut off by Mona.

“Oh no, none of that.” Mona clucks her tongue at him. “Did you know our Drew here is a Colorado expert?”

If I thought I could avoid this, I would do something to stop her. But not only do I know what Mona’s going to say next; I also know there’s no way to stop this disaster from coming to fruition.

“She’s a very good photographer. She’s always snapping her camera and driving all around to take pictures of these little towns and places I’ve never heard of.” Mona is still talking, but Jasper’s eyes flicker to me with curiosity working behind the ocean-blue center. Like this new bit of information about me has changed the way he sees me. It takes everything in me not to fidget beneath his intense gaze and put my focus back on a still-rambling Mona. “. . . she’s been everywhere. You know! I’m sure she could tell you all the great places for your book. Maybe you could take her to dinner and discuss it?”

Annnnnndddd . . .

There it is.

I knew this was the destination, but it still doesn’t lessen the recoil of my stomach when she finally lands the plane.

I love the Dirty Birds and their devotion to stepping in for Gran since she’s been gone, but they are truly horrendous matchmakers. I’ve been dodging their attempts since the last one ended with me listening to their mutual friend’s grandson drone on and on and on about Bitcoin and the trading market. He didn’t stop until his roommate showed up and he basically kicked me out of the restaurant so they could do Jägerbombs at the bar or some shit.