I’d always had a sixth sense as to when she’d fling herself into my arms, almost like the miniature dachshund Mom used to have—tail wag and all. Being the sole focus of her attention was intense, but also heart-wrenchingly fantastic. If I had to suffer through losing my balance and getting a bruise a time or two—well, there were far worse things out there.
“So, what prompted this visit, really, Miller?” she asked, taking a large bite of the spicy chicken dish. I shrugged, taking a samosa and dipping it into the flavored sauce on my plate. “It can’t be because I canceled a pizza date for work.”
“Nope. I’m used to how consuming your job is. I’m simply curious about your date with Mr. Right. How you managed to keep me in the dark for this long is a miracle.”
“Um. It’s been what? Three days?”
“Four, actually, and I am absolutely appalled.” I stuffed the rest of the samosa in my mouth and put my hand across my forehead, sighing dramatically as she giggled around another bite of chicken.
“Ugh. I’ve already relived that awful night with the girls, could you at least let it go if I said it was an absolute disaster?”
“Really? That’s a shame. Maybe my guy-dar is malfunctioning. Give me your phone.” I motioned for her to hand it over, but she stalled.
“Your what?”
“My guy-dar. You know, my natural ability to sniff out a good match for you. Maybe it’s malfunctioning.”
“Maybe I should pick my next date without your input.”
“I am offended, and now demand your phone to make up for my poor performance. If you are still going through with this nonsense, the least I can do is support you. What else are friends for, babe?”
“Nonsense?” she said, popping up from the chair with her hands on her hips.
Shit.
“Nope. Not at all. Never mind. Great idea. Brilliant, actually. Putting your future into the hands of an algorithm.” I held my hands up in surrender, fork dangling from my lips as she huffed, boring her eyes into mine in a way that would make lesser men quake.
“Just because I’m taking control of my life and you’re content to flounder about doesn’t give you the right to make me feel bad,” she snapped, snatching the last piece of naan from the table.
Flounder? Is that how she saw me?
Fuck.
“I’m not floundering, just happy where I am. I thought you were as well. I thought, Em, that you were happy with your life. Now, come on. Please,” I said, not liking the blush that crept up her neck and the tightness of her brow. “I’ll find someone tall and athletic and even make sure he has all of his teeth.”
“Ugh. Fine.” She handed over her phone, sat back down, and reached for the dessert. “But it’s just because you brought me sugar.”
“Whatever you say, babe.”
“Hey, man. Thanksfor meeting me,” Simon said, tugging on the top button of his black button-down shirt and sitting beside me at the bar. The bartender set a coaster in front of him, but before she could ask for an order or share the specials, Simon cut her off with his gruff tone.
“Bombay martini. Extra dry. Two olives. And make it a double.”
I was used to his brashness, but the stilted way he moved and the tightness around his eyes said something serious had happened—more than just his personality quirks.
“Sure. Um. What’s going on? Not that I’m not glad you texted, but this is what? Only the second time we’ve had a drink together?”
“The third. And I’m flattered, Miller. Truly,” he deadpanned, running a hand through his white-blond hair and resting hischin on the arm propped against the bar top. “I need advice, and you’re the sensible one to talk to.”
“I’m sorry? Did you say I’m the sensible one? Could I get that in writing?”
“Perhaps your mother could make a tea towel with those words embroidered for you?” he said, cracking his knuckles and arching a brow.
“Just for that, I’ll make sure she knows how much you loved my Christmas sweater last year. I distinctly remember her saying you needed more color in your life.”
He dramatically rolled his eyes as the bartender set his drink down, nodding his thanks. The knuckles on his left hand were white with how hard he gripped the glass stem as he brought it to his lips and downed the liquid in one swallow.
Damn, dude.
