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Ryder shrugged. “Finn took her out a while back. He’s been respectable in trying to get her attention, and he’s solid. Besides, the rehearsal dinner will be loaded with people, and Finn’s not that type of guy.” Ryder glanced at the bar, and so did Bass. Finn was chatting Penny up, and the heat in Bass doubled. When he’d come in the other week to talk to Penny, he’d noticed Finn talking to her. But this time was different. Because a lot had happened in the short time he’d spent with her.
“What does that mean?” Bass asked. “That type of guy? Finn’s still a guy.”
Ryder took a swig of his drink. “He’s not a real threat.”
“Not a real threat?” he snapped. Didn’t anyone care that she was getting hooked up with…with…
A guy that’s perfect for her.
“Look at him, man,” Ryder said. “He’s her type. Loyal, responsible—”
“How the hell would you know her type? You’re her brother. You don’t know what she’s like—” Bass stopped himself, because his best friend was looking at him like he’d lost his damn mind. Maybe he had.
Hadn’t he just thought to himself that Penny needed a date for the wedding? It would put both of them in the right mind. Remind them that what they had was temporary. But seeing the safe, respectable choice of a man that Ryder approved of for the sweet girl next door was too much to take.
Because that made it more clear than ever that he was not that type of guy.
AKA: Not Penny’s type. No matter how much that truth stabbed his gut, he would be wise to follow through with his plan and push her away. Rather, push her toward someone else. If they both had a date for the rehearsal, that would be golden confirmation that their two weeks were done.
“What is your problem?” Ryder said. “Finn practically walks around with a boy scout badge on. He’s not the cheating kind. He doesn’t abandon women. He’s long term, and that’s what Penny deserves. I’m not trying to make my sister a celibate misery case. I just w
ant her to find what she’s looking for.”
“And you think that’s Finn?”
“I think he’s as close as it gets.”
Bass took another look at the tall, lean man. He was generic, safe, and steady. Likely wanted the same things Penny did. A commitment, house, and kids. The guy would probably run his future son’s little league team someday.
Another jab of pain sliced through his stomach. Finn was perfect for her. But Penny Diamond went beyond generic. She was incredible. He knew this first hand, but he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
So he sat there, fuming at the fact that he wasn’t good enough for her. A fact he’d always known but never had to stare down until that moment.
If anything, he was standing in the way of what she wanted. It would be selfish of him to keep her from the long-term happiness she deserved.
Two weeks was all he had with her. That was it. Then they were friends.
No reason to make her miss out now.
When she walked back to the table, her smile turned to a frown. She leaned in close to Jenna and in a harsh whisper said, “What are you doing?”
“Looks like she’s setting you up,” Huck said, taking a bite of his burger.
“No kidding. But I told you I don’t need a date for the rehearsal.”
Jenna’s eyes went wide. “So he asked you?”
“Yes, he did. What am I supposed to say?”
“You’re supposed to say yes,” Sebastian said, and her green eyes shot to him.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, darlin’.”
“You want me to say yes to Finn for a date?”
He swallowed hard and kept his mouth shut just long enough for Ryder to give his two cents. Which he did.
