“Overbearing parents?”
“Not really,” I hedge. “I just wanted to start somewhere with a clean slate. I loved all the games, the social scene. My sorority.”
He makes a face.
“What, you have something against the Greek system? I would have bet money you were a frat guy. Cocky and obnoxious. Cargo shorts and popped collars. Keg stands.” I peek over at him. “You’re very fratty.”
He looks offended. “Uh, no.”
Huh.“That surprises me. UVA is such a big Greek school.”
“I’m a nonconformist. Groupthink doesn’t interest me.”
I bark a laugh. “Says the Republican.”
“I think for myself.”
“Sureyou do.”
There’s a break in conversation as we weave our way through a cluster of backpacked teenagers, and for the first time, it occurs to me how evenly matched Ben and I are. Both athletes, from the South, went to East Coast schools, doing similar jobs. I’m sure if we’d met under any other circumstances, we would have gotten along swimmingly. It’s too bad he works for the wrong side.
“Don’t you think it’s weird we never met before?” I muse aloud once we clear the crowd. “It’s not like you’re easy to miss.”
“I’m sure if we’d met, you never would have given me the time of day. Since I’m the enemy and all.” There’s something funny in his voice. He must still be bent out of shape about my elevator rant.
“Oh, please. I’m very tolerant and open-minded, especially when it comes to misguided folks like yourself.”
“Right.So open-minded, you seek out Democrats-only dating sites.”
“I didnotseek out...” I heave a sigh.Forget it.“Whatever. We all have our deal breakers.”
“Youmight have deal breakers, but I have... sort of a reverse list. Criteria I’m looking for in a woman.”
“Oh, I cannotwaitto hear this.” I wonder how Corinne fares on this “ideal woman” list. “Wait, let me guess. She’s tall and thin with double Ds. She stays home and does your laundry. Doesn’t talk back.”
He ignores me. “She has to be smarter than me.”
I can’t resist. “Smarter thanI am, you mean?”
“Looking to throw your hat in the ring?”
His smirk tells me he set me up on that one. Damn it, I have to stop underestimating him. Those muscles are a smoke screen.
I groan inwardly. “All right, what else?”
“Mostly the things you’d expect: she has to want kids, should like to travel, have a good sense of humor, should enjoy active pursuits.” He coughs. “You know, like running.”
I give him the side-eye. “And I’m sure she’ll be a conservative,” I add, thinking of Corinne again.
“Empirical data would suggest,” he concurs. “Then there are sillier ones like...” He thinks for a second, then snaps his fingers. “She has to love queso. That’s a big one. Friday night with my girl, a margarita, and some queso. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?”
“Queso? As incheese? That ranks as most important on your ‘ideal woman’ list?”
“Nah, not themostimportant. That’s only for me to know.” He taps his temple, something unidentifiable hooding his eyes. It’s gone in a blink. “But queso’s right up there.”
Before I have a chance to delve further into this absurdity, my watch vibrates with an incoming FaceTime call. I tap Ben’s elbow to let him know I’m stopping, then unzip the hidden pocket on my leggings and pull out my phone.
He looks bewildered. “Where on earth did your phone just come from?”
