“Um … you, too.”
He nods, like he knows he looks great.
“Shall we go? Our reservations are at eight.”
“Yeah, sure.”
I don’t look back. I don’t want to see my brothers all standing around like proud parents, grinning like idiots and dabbing at their eyes. I bet Archer has his phone out, documenting the moment for our socials.
My heart is still pounding as I climb into Tom’s car. Like mine, it’s low-key. Discreetly elegant.
The interior smells like he drove it straight from the showroom. The music playing in the background is some kind of easy listening jazz. Is that the radio? Nope, it’s a playlist. Okay, that’s fine. I can live with easy listening jazz. It’s not Lana Del Rey, but only my brothers know how much I fangirl over her anyway. Maybe my future husband never has to know?
I wait for him to ask me if I mind the music. If I want him to change it. He doesn’t.
A silence follows that I think only I’m uncomfortable with.
Tom drives with a serene expression on his face while I desperately wrack my brains for something to say. Anything.
Finally, he speaks.
“So, do you go on many dates, Ben?”
Why does that feel like an accusation? “Actually, not really. You?”
“No, but when Nathan told me about you, I knew we’d be a great fit.”
“Oh?” Is my collar getting suddenly tighter? I force myself not to tug at it. My dad always chastises me forplaying with my collar or fiddling. Wait, why do I feel like I’m in the car with my dad?
“What did Nate tell you about me?”
Tom takes his time before replying. The easy listening jazz is strangling me, along with this too-tight collar.
“Just that you’re focused on your studies and your future.”
“Oh.”That’s what Tom looks for in a guy? A good student?
“Did he tell you about our business?”
“A little. It sounds like a good idea.”
Okay, cool, maybe we have something to talk about after all.
“Do you like tennis?”
“I’m not really interested in sports.”
“Oh.”That’s okay. Sometimes opposites attract, right? Like my mom and dad. God no, I don’t want to fashion my marriage off theirs.
“But you won’t be pursuing tennis after college, right?”
“Right. But our business is focused on pairing athletes with coaches and other sports professionals.”
“Yes, but aren’t you the co-CEO? Nathan told me you’re a financial whiz, so your role will be largely numbers-based.”
Has this guy just made me momentarily depressed about my life’s passion?
“Sure, but hopefully I’ll be involved in all the other aspects, too. Like scoping out new talent, for instance. Hopefully we’ll be going to a lot of pro tennis matches and checking out college players all over the world. I’d even like to do a little coaching of my own someday, maybe … when we open our academies.”
