Page 44 of Knot Gonna Give You Up
I giggle as he opens my door for me before jogging around to his side and climbing into the driver’s seat. He drives a well-kept mid-size car. Probably a CR-V or something, I’m terrible with car brands and models. I do appreciate a well-kept car, though, and Jesse’s is really nice. It’s not immaculate, but it’s not a sty either. If it was immaculate, I’d be nervous to touch anything.
“So are you gonna tell us what we’re doing tonight?” he asks as we ease into traffic.
“Nope! It’s a surprise. I didn’t want you guys to form opinions before we start.”
Jesse looks over at me quickly, giving me a side eye, “You’re a sneaky one, aren’t you?”
“When I need to be,” I say, flicking imaginary dirt off my shoulder.
He chuckles, and after a few more minutes of small talk and traffic, we arrive. The location wasn’t a surprise to anyone. It’s a fairly popular spot for dates, but they don’t know which package I selected. I’m almost dancing on my toes, I’m so excited for this. All I can imagine is fun, and hopefully some silly answers. I hop out of the car, Jesse not far behind, and we wait by the doors for the rest of the guys. I don’t see their cars here yet, but they quickly appear as we wait. Simon and Vic rode together, with Henry separate.
“You’re here!” I squeal as the three of them converse on us.
“Whoa, Josie Girl, feeling the 80s today, I see,” Vic teases, landing a kiss on my temple.
All I can do is grin at him. The combination of the four of them being here, plus all of them being Matches, has gotten me so excited that I think I’m beyond words.
“Looking forward to this?” Henry asks as we walk in the door.
“Uh, duh!” I say to him, putting as much sass as I can into it.
Henry growls playfully and snatches me from behind. I squeal in surprise, and when he bends down, I wait for his kiss to land on my neck. However, a raspberry is what I get instead. My skin tickles like crazy, and I can’t stop the high-pitched giggles that escape me.
“Stop! Stop! Uncle!” I say, laughing and enjoying myself.
Henry stops and gives me a real kiss on the neck before pulling back. A Beta receptionist is smiling fondly at our antics and greets us when we get around to moving beyond the entryway.
“Welcome to Date and Busters! Where we serve up dating fun for everyone! Do you have a reservation?” she says chipperly.
“Do you hate having to say that every time?” Simon asks from behind me.
“Yeah, I really do,” she says, a little less chipper now, sounding like a normal person.
“Reservation for Josie?” I say with a smile.
She types something into the computer and grins, “Oh, I love this one! Okay, let me take you to your space, and your date guide will get you going.”
We walk behind her, Simon whispering things to Vic to make him laugh as we go. I bite my lip, enjoying the sounds of their camaraderie behind me. The receptionist stops in front of a door with large letters above it stating “The Dating Game”. She opens the door to usher us in.
“Have a great time!” she says kindly before closing the door.
A Beta male is adjusting a few things as we walk in, and he turns to look at us.
“Welcome! I’m Jim, I’ll be your host tonight!” he says with a warm smile.
My mouth opens before my brain registers words: “Is that actually your name?”
I’m horrified for a moment before he laughs.
“No, it’s not, but it’s kind of fun to use the original host’s name so we go with it,” he says.
“Alright, then, Jim, tell us what to do,” Vic says.
“Jim” situates us so that the four guys are to my left, and there’s a panel between us that I cannot see through. All our stools are high-backed and surprisingly comfortable. Once seated, he steps back so we can all see him. He explains the rules, that I’ve given them three questions and I have to guess which answer belongs to which guy. Their voices will be disguised, so I can’t tell based on that. Then, if they want, they’ll all have a chance to have me answer those same three questions.
“Alright, question number one: What animal, if you could pick any, would you be? The cheesier your answers, the more fun the game is. Let’s start with bachelor number one!”
“Well, seeing as how I’m so full ofpride, I would clearly be a lion. Ready to protect you at any cost.” One says.
