“Hell, no.” He doesn’t hesitate and scans the outfit with genuine admiration. “It’s perfect. You look gorgeous, as usual.”
I smile, a little bashful despite myself. “It’s new. My other clothes are too big now. Sin’s going to be thrilled; she’s already called dibs.”
Sin—Tamsin, my best friend since forever—has inherited nearly half my old wardrobe since I started shedding pounds and inches. She’s a tall, curvy blonde with the body of a vintage pinup and the confidence of a rock star.
“The struggle’s real.” He opens a drawer in the kitchenette behind the gym. “You hungry? Lunch is ready.”
My workout schedule changes weekly, but we usually eat together once a week. Today, it’s sushi. Clean, simple, and delicious. We set up in his office at a small table that doubles as a desk and a catch-all for fitness gear.
He chews his last bite of tuna roll and levels me with a look. “So who’s the lucky client you’re meeting dressed likethat?”
“I don’t want to say anything until it’s a done deal.” I hold up my crossed fingers and grin. “She’s opening a boutique hotel and needs an interior designer.”
His brow lifts, skeptical. “A woman? Really?”
“Yes. Why?”
He runs a hand through his blond hair and grins. “Just wondering if I need to worry or not.”
I groan. “Jonah, don’t start.”
“You’re hot.” He shrugs, as if that explains everything. “And I happen to know Brad will be out with us tonight. I think you’d like him.”
Not this again. He’s been trying to set me up with one of his friends for a while now.
“Pass.” I don’t even try to hide my rebuff. “Brad’s closer to my son’s age than mine. And for the last time, I’m not interested in dating anyone, especially not a younger man.”
“Liv—”
I cut him off, tossing my napkin on the table as I rise. “Don’t. I’ve had this conversation with you too many times. I’m not ready. And when I am? I still won’t be dating younger guys.”
He stands, hands raised in surrender. “All right, all right. Just don’t shut yourself off from the world because of one guy who did you wrong. Besides, who said anything about dating?”
A soft laugh slips out of me. He means well.
My hands rest on his forearm, grounding myself in his affection and sincerity. “I know you care. I love that about you. And I loveyou in a totally platonic, please-stop-trying-to-set-me-up kind of way.” He chortles, and a smile tugs at my lips. “I need to find my own way. No shortcuts. No side quests. Just…me. Right now, that’s all I need.”
He looks at me with that familiar warmth, the one that tells me he gets me—really gets me. “Fair enough. But don’t sell yourself short, Liv. You’ve come so far. Most people would’ve given up. You didn’t. That counts for something.”
A lump catches in my throat. “Thank you.” Then I shake off this sappy talk with a dose of reality. “And let’s face facts. I’m a forty-two-year-old divorcée with two practically grown kids,and a new small business.” I can’t help but smile despite how freaking scary it sounds.
He opens his mouth, brows knitting, and I lean in for a hug. “Let’s leave it at that. Okay?”
His posture softens as we hug, and it’s comforting—strong arms, quiet support, no strings attached.
“I have to go.” I step back. “Client meeting, then kid duty. And tomorrow I’m swimming. Don’t worry.”
“You better.” He winks. “And if you change your mind about tonight, we’ll be at Swig. Text me. I’ll come pick you up.”
“Yeah, that’s not happening.” I toss him a wry grin. “Besides, I’ve got Paige this week, and I’m gearing up for Montreal.”
“Montreal?”
“Girls’ weekend. Sin, Erin, and me.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Sin got away from the chaos?”
“It was her idea, actually. Colin’s staying home with the kids.”
