“Thanks, Delaney. You are, too. So, are you married?”
Boy, she is not to be deterred, is she?
“Nope. Not married. Before I get back to work, do you need a refill on your water?”
“I don’t know yet. Can you wait a few more minutes?”
I smile. “Sure.”
“So, you aren’t married. Do you have a boyfriend?”
I can’t help but laugh out loud.
“I do not have a boyfriend. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No, but there’s this boy at school who always draws me pictures, and I think he likes me like a boyfriend. But I don’t like him like that. He’s just my friend. I don’t have time for that.” She flaps her hand out in front of her dismissively, and I hold back a laugh.
She finishes her water and glances to the right before quickly turning her eyes back to me.
“You’re my new friend.”
“Well, thank you. That’s a nice thing to say.”
Before I realize what’s happening, she grabs my hand in her tiny one and starts to pull me as she walks away.
“I gotta show you something real fast, and then I’ll let you get back to work. Okay?”
“I really should get back to work now,” I tell her—yet I still follow. Plus, she’s actually kind of strong for someone her size. Something tells me this little girl is going to get her way, and doing what she wants is probably the fastest waytoget back to work.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“It’s kind of a surprise. But I promise we’re almost there.”
“Is it a good surprise or a bad surprise?”
“It’s a great one. You’re gonna love it. I got a boyfriend for you.”
“Oh no.” I slow down but don’t pull away. “I don’t need a boyfriend.”
“I think youneedthis one. Plus, hereallyneeds a girlfriend.”
My God. How do I get away from this little girl without hurting her feelings? Maybe I should just let her do a quick introduction and then excuse myself to get back to work. But this is going to be humiliating.
I’ve reached a new low. My love life is so bad that a grade-schooler is trying to fix me up. I’ve got a gravy stain on my shirt and a cheap hairnet on. No woman wants to meet a man—or anyone—for the first time like this.
“He’s right here.”
I look up—and my stomach drops. My breath stutters in my chest, and I gasp.
I dig my heels in and pull my arm away from the little girl as gently as I can.
Just feet away from me sits the man I had my first—and only—one-night stand with. Al.
God, he looks drool-worthy in a tux with a five o’clock shadow on his jaw. Those eyes, too. Bedroom eyes.
Stop it, Delaney.
He stands when he sees me. His jaw drops, and his eyes widen.
