Page 1 of Wanting His Girl

Chapter One

JAKE

“Man, those drinks hit the spot," Chase says, running a hand through his hair. “I know O’Malley’s is your competition, Jake. But they sure know how to mix a good drink."

"Nothing but the second best for the soon-to-be-wed.” I chuckle as I clap him on the shoulder. “Next round's on you when you're a married man."

"You hear that, Duke?” Wes, chimes in. “Jake's planning on mooching off Chase's marital bliss."

Duke's deep voice booms down the street. “I keep telling him that’s why he’s still single.”

It's a warm Saturday night in August, and the four of us are walking down Main Street on our way back to my truck.

My brothers and I have just left the raucous happy hour at O'Malley's, a rival bar in town. I don't usually like to patronize my competition, but tonight is enough of a special occasion that I was willing to be the designated driver.

Chase is about to get married, and he's so head over heels in love that he didn't even want a bachelor party. So, the four of us decided to meet up with the other groomsmen for happy hour drinks at the oldest bar in town—one last hurrah before the wedding next month.

"Hey, don't knock the single life," I say, pushing my hands into the pockets of my jeans. "It's got its perks."

"Perks?" Wes raises an eyebrow, the one with the scar from when we were kids and he thought he could fly off the garage roof. "Like what? Being the eternal bachelor uncle?"

My smile fades a bit. "Something like that."

"Jake's not like the rest of us. He’s waiting for a miracle," Duke says, elbowing me gently. "Someone who can keep up with his wild ways."

I shake my head, grinning despite the familiar twist in my gut.

The last year has really been something out of an old romance flick for my brothers. One by one, they all found 'the one.'

First, Chase fell in love with his physical therapist, Molly, after seeing her through a window. Then came Duke, who met his match in a way only Duke could—by falling in love with his boss's daughter, Grace, while he was her bodyguard for the weekend. And just a few weeks ago, Wes finally admitted his feelings for Fiona, his sworn enemy since grade school.

Watching them all find their partners, it's like watching dominos - each one falling right into place with someone special. Meanwhile, here I am, on my way to being the ‘eternal bachelor uncle.’

It's not like I haven't had chances. Being a retired pro baseball player has its advantages. But lately, all those flings and one-night stands feel hollow.

Especially when I think about... her.

"Miracles happen," Chase says. "But if you don't start looking soon, you'll be flying solo at my wedding.”

"Chase is right," Duke slings an arm around my shoulder as we dodge a couple strolling hand in hand. "It's not a good look for the best man to show up dateless."

"Maybe I like it that way," I shoot back, the corner of my mouth ticking up. "And besides, I'm a small business owner. I have responsibilities."

"Sure, sure, keep telling yourself that," Wes adds with a smirk. "Who knows? Maybe one of those craft beers will finally sweep you off your feet."

"Very funny," I say, brushing off his comment with a chuckle, but inside, my thoughts drift to the woman who has already swept me off my feet.

Melanie Watts.

I met Melanie at Harold Parker's retirement party two weeks ago.

And from the moment I saw her, I knew she was mine.

She's unlike anyone I've met before. We sat down for dinner at Harold's party, and she just went off, jumping from topic to topic at a mile a minute. It was like watching a live pinball game, her thoughts bouncing around with this energy and enthusiasm I couldn’t help but be captivated by. Melanie has this quirky charm about her that just makes you want to stay in her orbit, to keep listening and laughing.

Honestly, it's a fucking breath of fresh air.

And when you mix that with all that energy with her gorgeous smile, and her pretty eyes and that blonde hair and those sexy curves…

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