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I was on my third beer when I heard my front door open, and I rolled my eyes. Damn, I forgot Holly had a key. Her heels made clipping sounds on the hard tile floor as she came back toward the family room.
“Why aren’t you answering my calls?”
“Did you call? I was watching the game.”
She smacked the top of my head. “You’re pissed at me because she didn’t pick you.”
I sat up and swung my feet to the floor, finishing the beer in my hand and then getting up to get another. “I’m not pissed at anyone. I only did that whole thing as a favor to you. It meant nothing.”
“Oh, bullshit, Harvey. You liked her. I’m sorry that she chose Blake.”
“Blake? Figures his name is something like Blake.” I sat back down, tipping the bottle to my mouth again.
“Oh, stop being petty, it does not suit you. To be completely honest, most of us were shocked that she chose Blake. I know I was.”
I turned and looked at my sister. She looked like she was telling the truth. “You thought she would pick me?”
“Yes, I did. I hoped that she would pick you.”
“I thought you said I wasn’t her type.”
“You aren’t her normal type, but that’s why I wanted you on the show. I knew that she would like you. I was hoping she would take a chance and pick you.”
I squinted at her. “Was there ever a guy who broke his leg?” She winced ever so slightly. “Holy shit, Holly. This was a setup from the beginning.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry, Harv.”
“Why the hell would you do that, Holly?”
“Because I wanted you to find someone good. She is fantastic, and I could see you with her. I was hoping that she would see it too.”
“How well do you know her?”
“I know Ali really well. We’ve been friends for a while.”
I paused—Ali—it was a pretty name for her. “I can’t believe this was a setup. That’s why you told me to burn my time at work. You even helped me pick out the dates.” I paused. “Wait! Did you talk to Jake about it? He was pushing me to take time off too.”
“Yeah, I kind of did.”
“Jesus, Holly. I can’t believe you did that.”
“Harvey, don’t be mad. I was trying to help you.”
“Holly, do you like it when I get in your personal business with the men you date? No, you don’t, so why would you think it would be alright for you to barge into mine? That was a pretty crappy thing to do.”
“I’m sorry, Harvey. I honestly did think that she was going to pick you. When I found out, I was shocked. I even asked her if she was serious, and she said—”
I stared at my sister. “What did she say?”
She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, wiping her hands over her head before she looked at me and answered. “She said that she needed safe, not sexy in her life right now.”
“Safe? He made her feel safe? That guy looked like a fruitcake.”
“I think she meant more along the lines of he was a safer choice, that she didn’t expect any surprises from him.”
“That’s bullshit.” I was pissed, that woman—Ali—didn’t have any idea what kind of man I was, or how protected and safe she would have been with me.
“I’m sorry, Harvey.”
