Sometimes I wondered if Eli had magical powers. How else could you explain how he was able to get an Uber in less than ten minutes in the middle of nowhere? Sure, it didn’t hurt that as a famous musician he had a lot of help at his disposal. At the same time, he appeared to be completely in charge, rather than passing it off to some of his minions.

After we got into the car, Eli continued being cagey about what we were doing. I figured the truth was he wasn’t completely sure, and that’s why he had his head buried in his phone on our drive into town. Since he’d already scored us somewhere to eat, I assumed we were on the way to the restaurant. I should have realized that this was Eli, and I should never make assumptions.

When the car pulled into a shopping center, I peered out the window, taking in the surroundings. Instead of stopping outside the Mexican restaurant or Subway, the car eased up under the awning of a Goodwill store. “You’re taking me to Goodwill?”

“Yes.”

“That’s awesome. It’s one of my favorite places to shop.”

Eli’s eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously?”

I tilted my head at him. “Growing up, didn’t our parents buy most of our wardrobe from some sort of second-hand store?”

“Yeah, for the most part.”

“Well, that frugality has transcended into my adulthood. I enjoy nothing more than spending five bucks on something that originally cost a hundred.”

He grinned. “You’re going to make a man very happy with that statement.”

Surprise flooded me when Eli’s words didn’t send a knife twisting in my heart. Instead, I could appreciate the humor in his statement. I’d thought earlier I was retreating back into my grief cave when I lost it over talking to Daniel about Jack’s recognition at the CMA’s. I knew my emotional whiplash was something I wanted to address with my therapist. I understood the constant storm of grief, but this yo-yoing back and forth between happiness and sadness was troubling to me.

“Let’s just say that Jack certainly appreciated it,” I mused, as I opened my door. After I got out, Eli came around to meet me.

“I’m pretty sure you would closet shame me if you saw my condo,” he said.

“And why is that?”

“Call me a slave to labels.”

I tsked at him. “Maybe I can save your extravagant side before it’s too late.”

“I dunno. I think I’ve completely crossed over to the dark side.”

“But I can feel the conflict within you,” I protested.

He grinned. “So you picked up on my subtle Star Wars reference, huh?”

“Realized it I did,” I replied, mimicking Yoda.

“I think you’re the only woman to ever appreciate my nerdy side.”

“You can always talk nerdy to me.”

Eli chuckled. “All right. Let’s get inside.”

When we started toward the store, I threw a glance over my shoulder at the car. “Wait, what about the driver?”

“He knows to stay until we’re finished.”

“Oh, so he’s on some nightly plan with us?”

“Yep. I’ve already prepaid for him to stick around.”

“Look at you all wheeling and dealing in the backwoods.”

Eli rubbed his palms together. “I’m just getting started.”

After he held open the door, I stepped inside the store. “I hope you didn’t make dinner reservations. I tend to spend a lot of time in these places.”

“You won’t be today.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re going to be taking part in the Goodwill Date Challenge.”

“I’m sorry, but what did you say?”

“It’s called the Goodwill Date Challenge. I caught a segment about it on the Today show the other day. This couple was tired of doing the same old things for date night, so they decided to add a little spice. Well, I guess I should say they added humor to the night.”

My breath hitched at Eli mentioning the “D” word. I knew there was no rational reason to be bothered by the reference, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy. “But we’re not dating.”

He rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to be an actual couple to do this. When I was researching it, there’s a whole movement now with college kids doing it too. Think of it like playing dress up.”

“Okay. You’ve piqued my interest. How does it work?”

Nodding, he dug his wallet out of his pocket. He produced two crisp ten dollar bills. “First, you’re only allowed to spend ten dollars on the entire outfit.”

I snatched one of the Alexander Hamilton’s from his fingers. “Easy peasy. I could do this in my sleep.”

“Ah, but there’s a catch.” An impish gleam burned in his eyes. “You have to pick out an outfit for me to wear.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Nope. Those are the rules.”

“And in turn, you have to pick out something for me?”

“Bingo.”

Oh, yeah, this wasn’t good at all. Giving Eli free rein to pick out an outfit for me? That was a nightmare waiting to happen.

“Don’t tell me you’re chickening out?” he asked.

Shaking my head, I replied, “Not a chance.”

“Good. Ready for the rest of the rules?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I muttered.

Eli chuckled. “You only have ten minutes to find the outfit, which includes shoes.”

I smirked at him. “That won’t be a problem. I’m the seasoned bargain shopper, remember, Mr. Label Whore?”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s not my body the clothes will be on, so it won’t be a problem for me either.”

Damn. I guess he had a point. “Okay, once we find an outfit, then what happens?”

“We each have to wear that outfit for the rest of the night.”

Whaaaat? I totally hadn’t seen that one coming. Picking a hideous outfit for Eli and having him model it in the store was one thing. Having him wear it outside the store was another. I was also aware that while he was styling said hideous outfit, I would be doing the same thing. There was no way he would let me off the hook with something tasteful.

“Still in?” Eli questioned.

I jerked my chin defiantly at him. “Yes. I am.”

“Good. I was a little worried because you looked like you might throw up with the last stipulation.”

“It’s you who ought to be nauseous considering what I’m going to put you in.”

“Bring it on, girlfriend,” he teasingly replied.

I rubbed my palms together. “Just tell me your sizes, and I’m ready to roll.”

Once Eli had given me his shirt, pant, and shoe sizes, I gave him mine along with my dress size. He motioned for me to follow him to the check-out counter. I trailed along behind him, curious what this had to do with the challenge. The moment he approached the woman, she shrieked and dropped the plate she was pricing. It shattered on the floor. “Is it really you?” she questioned.

“Considering my brother and I are identical, which one of us would you like it to be?” Eli asked.

“I’d take either one of the Renard brothers, but I love Eli’s voice,” she whispered reverently.

I laughed as Eli bowed. “It’s Eli at your service.”

The woman, whose nametag read Traci, shook her head slowly back and forth. “I must be dreaming. There’s no way someone famous like you is in my store.”

“You’re not dreaming. I’m really here. And Traci, I need your help.”

“Anything.”

“Emersyn and I are doing a little challenge tonight, and I need someone to keep time for us. Would you do the honors?”

She giggled as she flushed crimson all the way down to her neck. “I’d be honored.”

“Great.” He took his Apple watch off his arm. After setting the timer for ten minutes, he handed it to her. “Just tell us when to go.”

Traci appeared reluctant to take her gaze off of Eli and to look at the watch. When he nodded at her, she finally dropped her eyes. “Um, okay. Get ready…Go!”

Eli and I shot off like a gun had gone off at a race. When I hit the men’s section, my mind spun with the possibilities. Obviously, I was going to have to really search for that hidden gem of an embarrassing outfit. The one where the person finally did a clean out of a closet holding decades worth of styles.

Although I desperately wanted to look over at the women’s section to see how Eli was doing, I kept my head bent as I flipped maniacally through the racks. And then somehow, I found it. The fashion gods were shining down on me when I unearthed a complete leisure suit circa the late 70’s. Not only did it have the suit and pants, it had a mint green shirt with it. It was truly a treasure.

After I snatched it off the rack, I ran over to the shoe department. I knew I wouldn’t get so lucky as to find a pair of 70’s platform shoes. I’d have a better chance winning the lottery. But I did find a pair of shoes that looked like someone had stolen them from the bowling alley.

“Done!” I cried as I raced to the front counter.

I didn’t get to celebrate my victory for long because Eli arrived just after I put the suit down. “You both finished with two minutes to spare,” Traci announced.

I barely heard her because I was sneaking a peek at what Eli had gotten me. “Oh jeez,” I murmured. Apparently, whoever had donated the leisure suit had also had one of those poofy prom dresses from the 70’s in their closet. It was pale blue with peach, yellow, and white flowers all over it. Eli had also found a pair of strappy sequined heels.

“We’re going to be stylin’ tonight, aren’t we?” Eli laughed.

“Maybe if we were taking a trip in a time machine,” I quipped.

Eli gathered up the leisure suit in his arms. “I’m still in it to win it, are you? Remember it’s about wearing the outfit in public.”

My reply came in the form of gathering up the dress. “After you, Mr. Renard.”

After I locked myself into the dressing room, my determination faded slightly. Once I had the dress and shoes on, it was pretty much obliterated. “Are you ready?” Eli called from outside.

“Just need help zipping up.”

“Okay. Open the door.”

As soon as I unlocked the door, Eli stepped inside the dressing room. At the sight of him in the faded white leisure suit, I lost it. Doubling over, I laughed so hard I snorted. My laughter got Eli going, and before long, we were rolling in the floor, practically howling with laughter.

Our antics drew a small audience outside of the dressing room door. Of course, their expressions got us going once again. I was so far gone I was wiping the tears from my eyes.

“I seriously can’t look that bad,” Eli argued, as he tried catching his breath.

“You’re a toss between a pimp and John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever!”

“Whatever.”

When our audience started trickling away, we finally got a hold of ourselves. Eli helped me off the floor, and we started smoothing down our outfits. Turning my back to him, I said, “Now will you please do what you came in here for?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Closing the gap between us, Eli gripped the zipper of the dress. Goose bumps raised along my arms when his knuckle glided across my exposed skin. I’d felt Eli’s touch a million times before, but there was something different about this time. After placing one hand on my waist, he slowly slid the zipper up. Once it was in place, his fingertips feathered over my upper back, causing me to shiver.

When I looked into the mirror, Eli was staring back at me. “I look like a schmuck, but you look so damn beautiful,” he murmured.

His compliment sent a flush to my cheeks. “You’re just being sweet.”

“I’m dead serious. You could make a burlap bag look attractive.”

My heart felt like it had hummingbird wings. I couldn’t remember a time that a few simple words had given me such a physical reaction. It was both endearing and confusing. I’m sure the last time I’d experienced it was with Jack. While he didn’t bathe me in compliments quite like Eli did, he always said just the right thing to make me feel beautiful and desirable.

I cleared my throat. Trying to lighten the mood, I said, “Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Travolta.”

When Eli snorted, the moment was broken. “I’m not sure if I wouldn’t prefer being called your pimp.”

“Hey, John Travolta was a sex symbol for many years. I guarantee when you go back out there, you’ll have all the women in here fanning themselves. Traci just might faint.”

He grinned. “Now it’s my turn to thank you for the kind words.”

“You’re very welcome.”

After clapping his hands together, Eli said, “Okay. I think it’s time we got out of here and start painting the town.”

I laughed. “Now you and your outfit sound like you’re from the same decade.”

“Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

I handed the clothes I came in with to Eli, and he put them under his arm with his clothes. “Ready?” he asked, as he held out his hand to me.

“Yep. As I’ll ever be.”

Taking Eli’s hand, I then let him pull me out of the dressing room. As we made our way to the front counter to pay, we got a lot of crazy looks. Traci grinned at us as she took our money. “I didn’t think you guys would really do it.”

“We’re gluttons for punishment,” I replied.

Eli shook his head. “Nope. We’re small time thrill-seekers.”

Traci handed Eli his change. “You two sure have a funny and sweet relationship.”

“We do. We’ve been best friends since we were ten,” I said while grinning at Eli.

Giving us a dreamy look, Traci said, “Imagine that. Best friends and then you end up together. How long have you been a couple?”

My eyes bulged as Eli succumbed to a coughing fit. When he finally recovered, he shook his head at Traci. “We’re not a couple.”

I nodded. “Just friends.”

After looking left and right, she said in a hushed voice, “I get it. The record people don’t want Eli having a girlfriend because it makes him less desirable to female fans, so you have to say you’re just friends.”

In that moment, I wished for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. “No, no. We’re really just friends,” I protested.

Traci nodded. “Of course, you are.” Then she had the nerve to wink at us.

“Well, we really need to get going. It was nice meeting you,” Eli said. He then proceeded to sign several shirts and notepads for both Traci and some of the other women in the store. After what seemed like a small eternity, we finally waved goodbye and headed out to the car.

After we slipped inside, Eli turned to me. “People are so weird. Aren’t they?”

“Yeah, they are.”

“Like two people can’t love each other just as friends.”

“I know, right? Just because we get along so well, it doesn’t mean we’re a couple.”

“Exactly. Jeez, people here must not have heard of women and men being just friends.”

“Yep. It must be a totally foreign concept to them.”

We sat in silence for a few moments. “Yeah, so how about we get something to eat?” Eli asked.

I nodded emphatically. “Yes, I’m starving.”

Glancing down, Eli said, “I just hope we’re not overdressed for the Western Sizzler.”

And with the thought of being seen in public, I suddenly lost my appetite.

After an extreme mental pep talk, I forced myself to open the door and get out of the car. When we walked up to the hostess stand, her mouth dropped open at the sight of us. “Uh, can I help you?”

“A booth for two, please.”

She didn’t take her eyes off us as she collected two menus. “Yeah, so, follow me.”

As we made our way through the restaurant, the hot stares of the other customers singed my skin underneath my newly acquired clothes. “I’m seriously going to kill you for this,” I hissed at Eli.

He chuckled. “Come on, Sonny. Do you really give a shit about what those people think?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“No one knows you here, and you’re never going to see these people again.”

“Not unless they make it to the show tomorrow night or plaster a picture of us on social media,” I countered.

“You might have a point there. I sure hope Stella doesn’t start getting hate mail for the way she dresses us.”

I laughed at the thought of placing the blame on our outfits on our poor stylist. When we arrived at our booth, the hostess quickly deposited our menus before hurrying away. After Eli slid across the seat, he said, “Since you’re so worried about people knowing us, why don’t we go even more incognito.”

“How exactly would we do that?”

“Fake names,” Eli whispered mysteriously.

A giggle poured out of my lips. “You’re not serious, right?”

“Dead serious. Charlene.”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s your name for tonight.”

“Charlene like from Designing Women that our moms used to watch?”

“Exactly.”

“Ah, okay. Well, if I’m Charlene, you can be Rufus.”

“You came up with that one pretty quick.”

“I’m talented like that,” I teased.

“Charlene and Rufus, it is.”

In spite of the earlier awkwardness, dinner was just like old times between us. Maybe it helped that we kept the conversation on our families and the band. After stuffing myself on the all-you-can-eat salad bar and a giant steak, my prom dress was considerably tighter. I leaned back against the back of the booth and rubbed my stomach. “I’m pretty sure this place’s steak puts many five star restaurants to shame.”

“I agree.”

After Eli tossed a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill into the envelope, I cocked my brows at him. “What’s next on the agenda, Funmaster?”

He grinned. “Are you in the mood for a little gambling?”

“Sure, I’m game.” I waggled my brows. “Pun intended.”

“Har, har.”

“What did you have in mind? Playing some gas station slot machines? Last time I checked, this wasn’t casino country.”

“Something a little classier.”

“Such as?”

“Once again, you’re just going to have to wait and see.”

With a laugh, I replied, “I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you come up with next.”

“All right. Then let’s go.” After Eli rose out of the booth, he held out his hand for me. I gladly slipped mine into his. Once again, I felt the stares of the other customers along with some of their laughter.

Our driver was waiting just where we had left him. “Okay, Carl, take us across the street please,” Eli commanded.

After buckling my seat belt, I craned my neck to see where Eli was talking about. “You can’t be serious. The Moose Lodge?”

“Do you know a better place to play Bingo on a Wednesday night?”

“Oh, my God, I love Bingo!”

“I know. I remembered.”

“You did?”

Eli nodded. “You used to always play La Lotería when we were in Mexico.”

“Wow, I’d almost forgotten about La Lotería.” The game I’d played back then was slightly different. Instead of the numbers like in Bingo, they used images like on a deck of cards. For some reason, I’d loved it as a kid. Once we came back to the states, I transferred my love to Bingo. Yes, I was officially thirty going on eighty, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I really know how to show a girl a good time, don’t I?” Eli asked with a grin.

I laughed. “As a matter of fact, you do.” Growing serious, I added, “And I really appreciate you taking my mind off Daniel’s call.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m seriously impressed with the level you’ve gone to. I mean, you could have just taken me to the movies or something.”

Eli grinned. “Nope. Not my style.”

“I’m not sure you want me to comment on your style right now.”

When I dropped my gaze to his outfit, he snorted. “I’d like to see any other guy rock this hideousness as well as I have. In fact, I’m seriously concerned about some of the older women in the Moose Lodge who might have weak hearts. My sexiness might overwhelm them.”

I snickered at the mental image his comment conjured. “Maybe I should go in first and warn them?”

He winked at me. “Nah. It’s probably better to let them go out with a smile.”