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Chris flips him off. “Tell me why I’m your wingman again?” he asks when I swipe my truck keys off the kitchen counter.
“Because I have gorgeous blue eyes,” I say, batting them, “kissable lips, and washboard abs you could do your laundry on.”
Chris harrumphs. “You’re making assumptions. Maybe I have a thing for beer bellies and thin lips.”
I nod. “You got me there, but I do have magic hands, or so I’m told. Magic hands make up for it, right?” I wiggle my fingers in front of his face and he bats them away.
“What the fuck?” Damon mutters from his perch on the couch.
Chris gags. “Save it for your girlfriend, will ya?”
Girlfriend.
The word makes my stomach flip, and I almost correct him, but I don’t.
I press my lips together, pondering this as I head out the door.
Brynn may not be my girlfriend yet, but the thought of making her mine is strangely enticing.
CHAPTER 23
BRYNN
I’m sitting at theend of the table in Pizzuto’s with Charlotte to my right. The dining room is dimly lit, with glittering chandeliers hanging from above and lighting the space. Squat vases of roses adorn each table, along with linen napkins and far more utensils than I know what to do with. Across from me, Chad smiles, revealing a row of pearly whites so blindingly bright I think I need sunglasses.
When he lowers his menu and his brown eyes meet mine, I remind myself to give him a chance. Maybe he doesn’t have Caribbean blue eyes, but he’s cute and clean-cut with a short crop of sandy hair and a lean physique. Bonus: he’s not a commitment-phobe. I know this because he’s mentioned his ex-girlfriend, who was his high school sweetheart, at least twice since sitting down and we’ve only been here five minutes.
Wait. Why the hell am I comparing him to Jace?
“So, Brynn, when Samantha suggested we all meet, she said you were going to school for nursing? What made you want to go into medicine?”
It’s a reasonable question, one I’d expect on a first date, but I can’t help but think of how boring it is.
I give a little shrug. “I’ve just always liked caring for people. I have two younger sisters who both happen to be clumsy, and in high school, I was always patching them up. Plus, I want to wear scrubs every day.” I laugh at my own joke, but it falls flat when Chad doesn’t even so much as crack a smile.
I sober and shift in my seat. “What about you? Did I hear something about accounting?”
He nods. “I’m a numbers man.”
Silence descends between us. I take a sip of water as I glance down the table, wondering if I can fake an emergency phone call. Too bad I’m with my friends already, although I have no doubt Jace would pick me up if I called.
When the waitress comes to take our orders, it’s a welcome respite from the awkward silence. Beside me, Charlotte seems to be having a better time with Kevin, and anyone with eyes can see Samantha is having the time of her life with James at the end of the table.
I could be at home with Jace.
I close my eyes and give myself a pep talk. I can do this. I can make conversation and have a good time. I haven’t even given Chad a chance. He could be an amazing man, and for all I know, we might make the perfect match.
Straightening in my seat, I puff out my chest, which leaves Chad blushing as he ogles my boobs. “So, tell me about what you like to do for fun?” I ask.
“Let’s see . . .” He drums his fingers on the table as if he needs time to think about it when my phone buzzes in my purse.
“Well, I love to golf. In the summer, more often than not, you’ll find me out on the green. My ex-girlfriend and I actually used to golf together all the time. It’s a great couple’s activity.” His eyes slide to my chest again, and he licks his lips. “If you’re ever interested, I’d love to take you out.”
I know this is my opening to accept, but I don’t want to commit to anything, so I simply smile and offer him a polite nod as my phone pings, indicating I have a text.
“Oh shoot.” He winces. “I mentioned my ex again, didn’t I?”
I wrinkle my nose. “Yeah, I’m afraid you did.”
