She studied Charlie and Frankie. The tender way he held her best friend in his arms as she rested her head on his chest wasn’t lost on her. Gemma wanted a guy who embraced her intimately like that too. She was tired of casual flings.
“Gem, it’s not worth it.” Charlie frowned. “You’d be putting yourself out there for millions upon millions of people to see.”
“That’s great. It means a bigger dating pool,” she countered.
“What about kissing your private life goodbye?”
Gemma shrugged. “I have nothing to hide. Let the world see how glamorous itreallyis to be a show skater. We eat, sleep, work out, perform, and repeat. We don’t have time for much else.”
Okay, that’s not exactly true, but he’ll get the point.
Frankie gently placed a hand on Charlie’s arm. He sighed. “If you’re looking for a guy to date, how about looking locally? I’m sure that between Les, Frankie, and me, we could find someone you’d hit it off with. We know a lot of people.”
Leslie fake coughed. “Weknow a lot of people?”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine,youladies know a lot of people.”
“That’s more like it,” Leslie corrected.
“I appreciate your offer.” Gemma repositioned her body. “And I’m willing to take you up on it, but only if it’s a guy who doesn’t ice skate or play hockey. I’d like to have a go at dating someone outside the skating bubble.”
Her eyes raked the room. The occupants stayed quiet.
“That’s what I thought.” She deflated. “Finding a normal bloke is almost impossible.”
“No. You have it wrong. It’s not impossible, just challenging.” Leslie scratched her forehead. “Have you asked our nan? She knows a lot of people.”
Frankie and Gemma exchanged glances. Suzy also happened to be Charlie and Leslie’s grandmother. “We haven’t, but we were thinking that she might be the perfect person to help with the audition video. OnCupid’s Arrow, the men who the bachelorette dates are selected by her two friends,” Frankie said.
“Wait,Cupid’s Arrow?Is that the show Nan is always raving about?” Leslie asked.
“Yes.” Frankie nodded. “She and Dad watch it every Tuesday.”
“Got it. In that case, Nan would be the ideal person to pick out the right guy for a person to date. She was scary accurate when it came to me trying to figure out my boyfriend Ron.”
Charlie glared at his sister. “Les, you’re supposed to be on my side,” he grumbled.
“What? There are no sides. We’re one team, and that’s Team Gemma. If this is what she wants, who are we to stop her?”
Frankie pecked Charlie on the cheek. “You worry too much.”
“Somebody has to.” He frowned and held Frankie tighter. “I just don’t want anyone to take advantage of you, Gemma. You’re like a sister.”
Gemma’s body flooded with warmth. Like Frankie, she’d grown up without any siblings. She’d always wondered what it would be like to have a protective big brother, and now she knew. Charlie was not going to let this go anytime soon.
“How about this: If by some miracle the casting directors decide to put me on the show, you can sit right beside Frankie and vet all the guys who want to have a go at dating me.”
His eyes twitched. “So there’s no way you’ll considernottrying out?”
Crossing her arms, Gemma attempted her best imitation of Charlie. “No. I’ve made up my mind.”
Frankie and Leslie giggled.
“Are you trying to be me? If you are, you need to clench your jaw a little more and furrow the brows.”
“Like this?” Gemma asked, attempting to follow Charlie’s instructions.
Leslie and Frankie laughed harder.
