“Oh. She seemed fine.” I should pat myself on the back for not reporting that I only looked at her once, to check out her bread-boule hair.
“Fine?” Nora scoffs. “She’s gorgeous. Everyone knows she’s gorgeous.”
“She’s not prettier than you.”
Nora’s lips part. She looks surprised, maybe even a little pleased.
“I’m not trying to hit on you or anything,” I say quickly. “It’s just true. I don’t mind telling you what you already know.”
She nods slowly. “Well, what if I can get you a shot with Hazel?”
“Let me get this straight. You want me to pretend to be your secret boyfriend, and in exchange, you’ll set me up with your cousin?”Whom I couldn’t pick out of a lineup.
“Sure!” she says quickly, her tone overly bright. “Let’s go with that. It sounds like an even exchange.”
“That’s an even worse idea than your original one.”
“Don’t you want to meet someone nice?” she asks, her tone wheedling. “Your father told my mom you haven’t been on a date in, like, six months.”
Ouch.
“I’m sure it hasn’t been that long.”
She studies me, her gaze unwavering.
“I got wrapped up in the band thing,” I admit. “And I’ve had a career shift. I haven’t had time for anything else.”
“I’ll bet a lot of women hit on you after concerts.”
I shrug. “Maybe. I’ve never been very good at figuring out what women want.”
“I believe that.”
I’m annoyed and tempted to say something hurtful like,My father tells me you haven’t been in a serious relationship for years, so I’m guessing you’re no expert either.
Instead, I settle for “Nice talk,” and turn toward the door.
Her hand wraps around my arm, but when I swivel back toward her, she pulls it away.
“You’ve been working out.”
“You’re really desperate, aren’t you?” I ask, laughing. Maybe because high school me would get a kick out of Nora Leigh being desperate for anyone to think we were dating.
A familiar displeasure spills into her expression. “There must be something else you want. Something I can do for you…”
My mind flashes, again, to the memory of her on her knees.
Dammit, testosterone is not my friend today. I’d prefer to remember all the times Nora has been aggravating. There have been plenty, starting over a decade ago, and I don’t feel guilty for thinking so. I’m certain she’d say the same about me.
“I’ll do anything,” she says, which seriously is not helping.
Then again…thereissomething I need help with. Something I’ve been worrying about.
“Can you dog-sit next weekend? The band has a couple of shows in Atlanta. I’d need you to stay in my house, though. My dog’s a little…particular.”
She brightens, her whole face lighting up with hope, and of course she’s even more beautiful like this. Looking at me like I could be the solution to all of her problems rather than the cause of them. “Of course! I told you. I’d be a great pet owner.”
“All right.”
