Betty shrugs. “He dropped my package in the hedge and took off. Man couldn’t find a clitoris with a compass.”
Zoe chokes, half-laughing, half-scandalized.
Then Betty tilts her head, pearls catching the light. “Speaking of men. Your friend here’s got herself an NHL fiancé, your brother’s in the league, and you’re still wasting time on dates with accountants who think horoscopes aren’t fun.” Her eyes twinkle as she turns to Zoe. “Tell me, Sugarplum, why haven’t you girls set her up properly?”
Zoe goes very still, then grins like Christmas morning. “Ooooh. This is already my favorite conversation.”
I shake my head fast. “Nope. No. Shut it down.”
Betty sips, unbothered. “What’s wrong with Logan? Lives across the street. Good thighs, loyal dog. Bet he’d keep up.”
My jaw unhinges in horror, and Zoescreams, actually screams, startling a bird from the hedge.
“Betty!” I croak, mortified.
Zoe’s grin turns feral. “Oh my god.Yes. Betty, I adore you. This is the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
Betty raises her glass in a toast. “Sugarplum, I only state the obvious.”
Zoe slings an arm around my shoulders, mock-serious. “Yes, Tallulah. Whyhaven’twe?”
I groan into my hands, cheeks blazing, while Betty just smirks as though she’s single-handedly solved my love life.
She ignores me completely, eyes glittering with mischief. “I’m just saying, if I had that walking around my block every morning, I’d—”
“ZOE!” My cheeks burn hot enough to combust. “Do yourememberwho his alternate captain is? Eli would murder him and hide the body before Chase could even post it to social media.”
Zoe just cackles louder. “This is better thanSummer Shoreline.”
Betty gives a regal little sniff. “Bah. Brothers always think they’re the sheriff. He’ll get over it. Men do, once they realize they’re not the center of the universe.”
I groan into my hands as Zoe leans in close. “I love her. Can we trade neighbors?”
“Absolutely not.” I press a hand to Zoe’s arm, steering her back toward the car before Betty can double down. “You’re leaving before she offers to start a matchmaking club.”
Betty lifts her wineglass in a farewell salute. “Enjoy your evening, Zoe. And Lulu—don’t forget, some matches are obvious, no matter how much brothers huff and puff about it.”
Zoe dissolves into another fit of laughter, and I herd her firmly into the driver’s seat before she can wring any more fun out of me.
But the damage is done. By the time I get inside my house, Betty’s words won’t leave me alone.
Obvious matches.
I’d convinced myself my crush was harmless. That it was safe as long as it stayed one-sided. But the thought of anyone else seeing it—even Betty, even Zoe—makes my pulse thunder. Makes me picture what it’d be like if it weren’t just a crush. If all that dry, infuriating heat in Logan turned looseonme instead of against me.
When I’m changed, I hurry across the street to Logan’s place. Dusty’s goofy face presses against the front window, his tail a windmill, jolting me back to reality. After some well-deserved cuddles, I clip his leash and we prepare for a walk up to my favorite hilltop. It’ll be nice to have some company up there, and Dusty will love the sights and smells.
By the time Dusty and I reach the clearing, the sky’s awash in pinks and oranges, bleeding into the mountains. He barrels straight into the grass, nose to the ground, ears flapping as his head sends him in three different directions.
I snap a photo before he can blur himself into chaos, the dandelions still catching bits of sun around him, then thumb it off to Logan.
Me:Dusty’s thriving. Currently king of the clearing.
The dots appear quickly.
Logan:Don’t let it go to his head.
Me:Too late. He’s demanding a crown.
