“I’ll help you,” he said.
“What?”
“With setting you up with a couple of dates.”
“Really?”
He gave a stiff nod.
Rushing forward, she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you.”
His hands landed on her waist, and for a second, he held her tight. Just as quickly, he pushed her away, but not before she got to feel his hard body pressed against hers giving her a thrill.
“I can’t promise I’ll find you a husband,” he said.
A grin spread across her face. “This is going to work out. I can feel it.” She just needed to ignore all the tingly sensations whenever she got too close to Theo.
With Theo frowning at her, she didn’t think he shared her optimism. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’ll try not to.” Although, how could she not? Theo was her brother’s best friend. He wouldn’t find her just anyone. He’d make sure the man was decent. Ethan would kill him if he didn’t.
Butterflies fluttered in her gut. Could she finally have the life she’d been wishing for? She glanced at Theo, and for a second, she pictured him in the role of husband and father. No. He’d made himself clear. She batted the thought away. It was ridiculous to even imagine it. The attraction could be all in her head—just fantasies and wishful thinking of a teenage girl with a huge crush.
She needed to look toward the future. “Do you have anyone in mind?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve only just agreed to do this. Give me time.”
“Oh, sure. Sorry. It’s just that the clock’s ticking.” She tapped the watch on her wrist.
“I don’t think a month or two will make much difference.”
Chloe’s jaw dropped. “A month or two? No, no. That’s too long. Try a day or two.”
Theo’s eyebrows rose. “I can’t organize something in such a short time. I know turning thirty—”
“I’ve turned thirty,” she interrupted. “By the time I find the right man, it could take several dates which might then take a few months to determine if he’s the one. If things are looking good, maybe a year’s gone by. Hopefully he’ll propose quickly—although I might have to plant the seed there—and then it takes months to plan a wedding. We’ll get married and want to have some time enjoying married life before we decide to have kids. By then, I’m heading toward thirty-five and the magic words of ‘advanced maternal age.’” She took a deep breath. “Basically, my eggs aren’t getting any younger. So chop-chop!”
Theo stared at her, blinking rapidly. “You haven’t thought this through at all,” he said in a voice laden with sarcasm.
Chloe ran her fingers up and down the strap of the bag slung over her shoulder. “When you’re my age, it’s all you think about.”
“I don’t, and I’m thirty-four.”
Chloe scoffed. “That’s because you’re a guy and have more time. Your swimmers will still be going strong when you’re seventy.”
Theo made a face, probably at her bluntness, because he said, “Make sure you don’t reveal your five-year plan on the first date. The guy will run screaming.”
She pulled a face. “Ha ha. Funny.” He could be right, though. “If you’re setting me up with men who are ready for commitment, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Trust me. Ease them into it.”
“So, starting the conversation with,will you be my husband and father of my childrenis too much?”
“Maybe a little.” He grinned.
With all seriousness, she said, “Thank you for doing this. I know you think I’m nuts.”
“Not nuts… determined,” he said, then added. “But also maybe a little nuts.”
