Page 40 of The Mr. Right Checklist

“I don’t understand why you’re not happy about it. You guys obviously have some kind of connection, and you were having fun and you kissed. Why is that a big deal?”

“We also groped. Ohmygod, Rubes. His hands are so big and so much stronger than I imagined. I can still feel them on me, and the way he tugged on my hair? Mm.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “I didn’t even know I’d like that.”

“I don’t know much about hair pulling.” She touches her buzz cut. “But I know how good big, strong hands can be, and I know that look, Destiny Amor. Now I see the problem. You want more than just a little front porch action from Fletchy, don’t you?”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this about Grumpy Gus, but . . . who wouldn’t? He’s gotten to me, but you know I don’t do casual sex, and he’s not my Mr. Right. I can’t even pretend he could be. He doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t even date with an intention for more. He only casually dates. But when we kiss, it feels so good, I don’t care about any of that. I turn into a shameless harlot. I want to tear off his clothes with my teeth and let him ravage me. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’ve never been that girl.”

“You know what your dad would say?”

“I try not to allow thoughts of my father and sex to commingle.”

“As good a point as that is, he’d say if you don’t try new things, after a while you’ll start moving backward.”

“I’m pretty sure he wasn’t talking about sex.”

“But the logic still applies. It’s been a long time since you’ve been with a guy, and you obviously like Fletch. I think you should go for it. Satisfy your lust and enjoy every second of it. Just make sure you’re up front with Fletch, and keep that dreamy heart of yours at bay.”

“My heart is not a problem where Fletch is concerned. He doesn’t even sing karaoke,” I say, trying to convince myself as much as Ruby.

Laura walks in with a King Charles spaniel, and having already been shushed by me, she hands Ruby the leash, speaking in a hushed voice. “This is Spencer. He’s here for the full spa treatment.” Ruby kneels to greet the pup, and Laura looks at me with curiosity. “Flowers just arrived for you. I’ll go get them.”

My pulse quickens.

Ruby waits for Laura to leave the room before she says, “Sounds like Fletchy’s not done, either.”

Laura walks back in with a vase of pink carnations. A lump lodges in my throat as she hands it to me. “Open the card. Let’s see who they’re from.”

As I open the card, I half expect to see my dad’s horrible handwriting on it, which sounds stupid even in my own head. I don’t, of course. It’s Fletch’s blocky letters that bring tears to my eyes, which I quickly blink dry so the others don’t notice.

Congratulations, sunshine.

I hope you don’t think this is weird. I don’t want to fill your dad’s shoes, but I don’t want you to lose that wondrous look in your eyes when you talk about him, either. I know he and your mom are proud of you, and I’m sure he’d want you to have these.

Your not-bad-for-a-blond friend,

Fletch

I’m speechless, unable to believe he remembered what I’d said about the carnations.

“Well? Who are they from?” Laura asks.

I know how Laura looks at Fletch, and I don’t want her to get the wrong impression, so I say, “Just a friend congratulating me on my first client.”

“That’s so sweet,” Laura says. “I’ll be at my desk if you need me.”

Ruby pins me with a worried stare as Laura leaves the room. I show her the note, and her brows knit as she reads it. When she hands it back, her tone is careful. “So much for keeping your heart at bay.”

I lift my chin, and for the first time in my life, I flat-out lie to my bestie . . . and not for the first time, I lie to myself, too. “My heart is fine. He’s just being kind because I told him that I talk with my dad sometimes.”

“Are you sure he’s not looking for more than a casual thing with you?”

This time I don’t have to lie. “Yes, I’m sure. He was very clear about that.”

FLETCH

I’ve been in a shitty mood all day and cannot wait to leave work. As I gather my things, my mind drifts back to Destiny. It hasn’t strayed far since we started hanging out. I didn’t text her this morning, because I didn’t want her to feel pressured or get the wrong impression and think there was more between us after last night. I’m definitely into her, but not with strings that lead to rings.

I figured she’d text me after she got the flowers, but I haven’t heard from her. I thought maybe the flowers hadn’t been delivered, but I called the florist and confirmed that they had. I wonder if she thought I’d overstepped by sending them, or maybe she hadn’t gone into work. Hell, I don’t know what to think. I must’ve picked up my phone to text her about a dozen times today, but that felt weird, too. I’m not a needy guy. I didn’t send her flowers to be thanked. I did it to brighten her day. But this silence is gnawing away at me. I’m used to getting texts with her rambling thoughts throughout the day and pictures from her walk with Molly.