“If you’re interested, I’d love to set you up with someone. He’s handsome, rich and kind. And really into female mechanics.”
Cordelia could set me up with that man who went viral for being a living Adonis and I’d compare everything about him to Nat. It doesn’t help that Nat is in Lucky Falls and he seems determined to bearound.
Which means that I will be constantly killing my crush on him and putting it back in its place. How am I supposed to fit another guy into that complicated mess? I could never do that to a person.
I open my mouth to tell Cordelia I’m not interested, but nothing comes out. I can’t bring myself to reject the offer.
At least not in front of Nat.
While he hasn’t mentioned my journal yet, I know that he read it. One day, he’ll make the connection between those awkward declarations of love and me.
I don’t want him to remember my embarrassing crush on him while I’m single. Wouldn’t it be better if I had a doting boyfriend to prove that I’ve completely moved on? Then Nat and I could laugh about the girl I used to be… rather than him being grossed out and me wishing for the ground to open and swallow me whole.
Besides, who’s to say Nat will always be my standard? I only know the eighteen-year-old version of him. There are so many other guys out there. Maybe Cordelia is about to set me up with the love of my life.
Maybe I should at least think about it.
Suddenly, I hear the drag of chair legs scraping the ground.
Nat barrels to his feet. “Would you look at the time? I forgot I need to call my agent.”
“Right now?” I ask, stunned.
“Yeah. Actually, I’m late.”
“Oh…”
He takes my hand. “I’ll drive you home.”
I blink in confusion as Nat tugs me up and grabs my purse.
I guess we’re leaving now.
Sending a rushed wave to Cordelia, I promise her, “We’ll talk later.”
“Think about it, Riley. I have a good feeling about you two!”
I notice a tick in Nat’s jaw as he responds, “See you guys later.”
And then we’re off.
Nat places his hand on the small of my back and steers me to the car. His touch is polite and not romantic in the least, but my pulse thumps faster anyway.
On the drive, his eyes focus on the road in a thoughtful squint.
Silence swirls around us.
“Nat?”
“Mm?”
“Don’t you have to call your agent?”
He grunts. “My agent? What for?”
“Isn’t that why we left?”
“Oh, yeah, yeah.” He clears his throat. “It’s fine. I’ll call when I get home.”
