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He twirled his chopsticks in dismissal. “It’s not like that’s his full-time job. It’s just something he does on the weekends.”
My eyes bugged at him. “You are unbelievable.”
He pinned me with his dark stare and pointed his chopsticks in my direction. “Dolls.”
I laughed and ate another bite. “What about Connor from the fire station? He’s cute.”
Lee’s back straightened, and I tried not to focus on the ripple of his pecs beneath his T-shirt. “You think he’s cute?”
I shrugged and peeked at him from under my lashes. “Sure. Everyone does.”
He huffed. “Everyone?”
I narrowed my eyes and grinned. Truthfully, the thought of Lee being jealous had never occurred to me, since he and I were careful to avoid all conversations regarding the opposite sex unless it was me teasing him about being a playboy.
The possibility of him being jealous formed a scratchy ball in my throat. “Wait. You’re notjealous, are you?”
Lee blew a breath through his lips. “Jealous? Hell no.” He chewed and paused. “But I think he might have a thing for Emma. Besides, I know a guy from the gym. Aaron. A real rugged manly type. Just like you like.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.
I rolled my eyes playfully and laughed. “That’s great, because I also have a date for you. She’s from Chicago, one of Lark’s friends, but apparently she’s not that picky anddefinitelypretty. Right up your alley,” I teased back.
He tapped his chopsticks against mine. “Fine.”
I grinned. “Fine.”
SIX
LEE
“You know,if you want me to pretend to be your fake girlfriend, I’d be up for it.” My date, Renee, cocked her head and smiled a sweet smile in my direction. There was no malice or hint of anything other than genuine kindness.
“Oh, I, um...” I pressed my lips together and cocked my head, looking at the beautiful brunette in front of me. I cleared my throat. “Yeah, that’s, I don’t know...”
Renee laughed, and her hand grazed against the back of mine as we stood near the bar in the Grudge, looking out onto the dance floor.
She leaned in closer. “Lark told me all about why Annie is setting you up on dates, and honestly, the thought of a Matchmakers' Gala is horrible.”
I laughed into my beer as I took a sip and nodded. “Yeah, no shit.”
“But really, if you need help”—she spread her hands wide—“I’m available.” Renee’s warm brown eyes looked at me as she smiled. “No charge, of course. Consider it a favor to a friend.”
I stalled.What the hell is wrong with you?
It was the perfect out, yet I couldn’t bring myself to agree to it. I drained my beer and looked out onto the dance floor, then looked down at Renee.
“Hey, you wanna go for a spin?” I grinned at her, and she smiled back up at me, but there was ...nothing.
“I’d love to.” She wove her hand into the nook of my elbow as I guided her to the dance floor.
I had danced hundreds of miles on that beat-up old oak floor with countless different women. Some had two left feet, and I found it a particularly fun challenge to show them how fun it could be to dance with a partner who knew what he was doing. Others knew a lot of the steps, and we could go through a dance or two without fumbling too much.
But it was never quite the same. It never had the ease and comfort orfunit was with Annie.
I shook my head to rattle loose the thoughts I was having about my best friend. It was weird to start having her pop up in the most unexpected ways when I thought I had gotten a handle on that a long, long time ago.
Back in high school, when I’d started dating Margo, I had to put a stop to the inappropriate thoughts that would pop into my head from time to time.
I hated myself for even going back there. It was a disgrace to Margo’s memory. Besides,Girls like me and guys like you never work out. But look at us––we’re proof why friends are better.Annie’s words from earlier bounced around in my skull, settling as a twitch behind my right eyeball.
