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Squealing, I stand up on my tippy toes to smoosh his cheeks together.He smooshes mine in return and we burst out laughing before I can even speak.
“T and G Equestrian Therapy Center.TAG Center for short.”
“Thoroughbreds and geldings?” He cocks his head in question.
“Nope. Turtle and Grey.”
He pauses the rocking on his heels and lets that sink in, his eyes widening.“You named the new center after us?” his husky voice shakes imperceptibly.
I nod. “It felt right. Using our names as SAG and GAS was too juvenile.” He laughs like I knew he would.“Despite it all, we connected over these horses, and they’ve helped me as much as they’ve helped you.”
“It’s amazing you still talk to me at all, Scar.I’m honored and humbled. Thank you.”
Mylungs constrict as I stand next to him, thinking about everything we’ve gone through together, the life we’ve forged as friends—as parents.Not everyone is so lucky to end up on this side offate.Two people who went through the worst possible situation, only to come out ontop.
Unable to contain myself, I leap at him, wrapping my arms around his strong, warm body and laying my head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat pick up for a second before returning to that calming thrum,reminding me not all terrible circumstances mean your life isover.We’re proof of that.
“Hey, everything okay?” his soothing timbre rumbles and the warmth from his heat envelops me.
Nodding, I speak, my words muffled by hisshirt.“Yes, I just can’t believe how lucky weare.I’m so thankful we're friends.”
He stiffens, but slowly wraps his arms around me and pulls me close, resting his head on top ofmine.“Yeah,” he whispers, “metoo.”
* * *
Monday morning at work,I’m slogging through an email with the caterer for the fundraising event, when a text pings through on my phone from Savy.
Savy:Saw this and thought it would be fun.
She follows up with a link. I click it and read through it before crunching up my eyebrows.Speed-dating at The Java Drip. Come Out and Meet Your One and Only.
Scarlett:For me?
Savy:Yeah, why not? You haven’t dated much for as long as I’ve known you.
That’s because they all turn out to be duds or incapable of handling a real woman.Manchildren, if you will.
Scarlett:And… what if I’m okay with that?It’s not like eligible men overrun Engelmann.
One in particular pops into my head, but I quickly run over that thought with a Mack truck, scolding myself for even entertaining the silly idea.Apparently, your brain misfires as you get older. Hormones swoop in and scoop out any functioning brain cells, the remaining ones primed to seek out available men. Or in this case, one very unavailable best friend.
Savy:Just think about it. You could go and at least get a good laugh out of it and have plenty of stories to tell me later.Or… meet the man of your dreams.
Scarlett:If you can guarantee this dream man looks and talks like Henry sexy Cavill, I’ll think about it.
Savy:Ooo I may know a few of those guys…
Scarlett:I’m going to stop you right there. I remember you said the same thing about Roger.
Savy:His profile picture was really far away.
Scarlett:He was catfishing, and you fell for it.
Savy:You’re right, I remember now. Well, hey, think of this as a “see for yourself situation.”
I huff out a laugh and take one more look at the link before immediately exiting out of it.Seriously? Speed-dating? They still do that?While it’s nice of Savy to think of me, I’m not sure it’s the direction I want to go in meeting a man.Do I even want a new man in my life?I have Theo and he’s more than enough testosterone,not to mention his father owning a sizeable chunk of that himself with his big ole rippling muscles—and why the heck am I still thinking about Greyson’s sweaty bare chest and enticing happy trail?Probably because I haven’t seen it since college.The years have been kind to him, but I have no intentions of ever telling him that.It goes beyond the scope of our friendship.He’s always been attractive, just like his brother, but it’s always been platonic.
Standing up, I leave my office to get another cup of coffee to rid my mind of whatever is going on with it today.Greyson is my best friend. Nothing more.Just because we accidentally slept together and made a baby years ago doesn’t mean we’re destined to end up together.I don’t even like him like that, do I?
