“What do you want?”
He scrunches his face. “Nothing.”
“Dax,” I warn.
“Fine. Nothing major, but if she happens to ask if you have any hot friends, can you give my number instead of Reese’s? I know he was nearly your brother-in-law, or whatever, but I feel like it's my turn to get some love.”
“Reese was never nearly my brother-in-law.”
“That's what you think because you didn't see the way he was looking at Tiff. He tried to act cool when he was around you. When he was around me and talking about her—” he blows out a breath. “—he looked like that melting smiley face emoji.”
“Reese will get over it. I don’t need to set the man up on multiple dates to get him to play better.”
Dax raises his hands. “I’m just saying, even if you might feel a little guilt over that, I'm asking—nobegging—for you to pick me if Whit asks.”
I narrow my eyes. “Whit Marlow? Really?”
He nods enthusiastically.
“You'd want to date a girl like her? She seems a little intense for a guy like you. I don’t mean that in a bad way. It's just... well, game recognizes game.”
He shrugs. “Yeah? Good. I’ve always wanted a woman who looks like she could ruin my life and build it back together at the same time.”
I shake my head. “You’re an idiot.”
“Most optimists are, but on the off chance she asks, just let her know I'm here and amveryinterested.”
“Fine. If it comes up and she asks for a football player’s number, I’ll make sure she gets yours.”
He raises his hands and smiles. “That's all I ask.” Then he pushes off the bed. “Now, if you're done brooding about Coach and Honey, Reese is coming over in an hour if you want to watch the game with us. The Fish are on fire this season since Tate Sorenson dressed up as the mascot.”
“Interesting,” I say, in the flattest voice I can, since it is in fact, not interesting at all.
By the time he leaves, I’m closing the last drawer and sitting on the edge of the bed in Dax’s guest room.
My place for now.
It’s fine and easier than buying another home, expecting Honey to fall in love with it.
When my phone rings, I scramble to pick it up in the hopes that it's Honey.
Tiff Calling...
My shoulders slump, but I’m not too disappointed. I haven’t talked to Tiff or Mike since coming off the cruise.
“Hey,” I say as I click accept on the video call.
“Uncle Zach!” Ella smiles with wide eyes.
“Hey, Ellie-Bear. How are you?”
“Good,” she says, bouncing a little. “Uncle Zach, we're going on a trip soon.”
“I heard,” I say. “It's to a big beach, right?”
“With fish. Mama says I can look at them underwater.” She pauses, taking in the gravity of the situation. “And I'm getting a hat.”
“What kind of hat?”
