Winnie waved his hand dismissively. “It’s far too nice out here. I’m going to my tent now; it’ll protect me from the wind. And honestly, you look like you’re the one who’s not okay.”
He smiled tightly. “Maybe I shouldn’t make bets when I don’t want to know the outcome.”
“Ahh, that dream-woman bet with the couples' therapist over there? Izzie told me about it. Haven’t you found your dream woman yet?”
Connor snorted. “No. Maybe the whole thing is a bit more complicated than I imagined.”
“Mm hm.” Winnie nodded. “I’d just turn in for the night.”
“Yes, I agree. It’s late.”
“No. That’s not what I mean.” Winnie looked at him, irritated. “You find dream women in your dreams, not on the street. Everyone knows that. And if you find something that feels like a dream in broad daylight, you’ve probably been drugged. Or you’re in love.”
Then he saluted and trotted down the promenade toward his tent.
Open-mouthed, Connor stared after him. As far as he knew, he hadn’t been drugged, so…
Fuck. He was still an idiot.
Chapter Seventeen
Sometimes it’s okay to succumb to chaos.
From the self-help book for self-pitiers by psychologist Rachel James
I believe this is the first time we agree on something. - Connor
My self-control is limited.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she walked along the promenade past Match Me! Only the moon and two lonely lampposts lit the way.
She wished Connor wouldn't say things like that. He should know what he was doing to her body.
She should have left with Maddie. She should have found an excuse and disappeared into her bed right after the quiz. But…
She hadn’t seen him in so long, and she’d wanted to take advantage of the moments when she could look at him openly,without pretending it was a coincidence. She could pretend she hadn’t been looking for him.
She’d been serious about needing less chaos in her life, at least until that damn lawsuit was out of the way and she could be honest with her siblings. The bet had been a stupid mistake. Nothing but a distraction.
Still, she felt her life was even messier now than before. It was as if the few hours a day when she’d met with Connor, thinking only of him and not her life, had become a constant that she now missed. Yes, he made her angry. All the time. But at least in his presence, it was easy for her to be honest and breathe. At least she wasallowedto be angry with him. At least he didn’t look at her like she was a different person when she was mean or raised her voice. No, the bastard laughed at it! He understood her without knowing her.
Or maybe he reallydidknow her.
The corners of her mouth twitched as she rummaged through her purse for her keys. Alec was nice. He looked a lot like his brother, which automatically made him hot. The thing was…Rachel didn’t know if she wanted to go out with Alec. Yes, he was a good catch, intelligent and funny. His cupcakes were a godsend, and men with skilled hands were always a blessing. But there hadn’t been a spark between them.
And he was Connor’s brother. She didn’t owe Connor anything, but going out with Alec…would feel like a betrayal.
Maddie had been thrilled when Alec signed up for Match Me! before asking, her eyes shining, “It’s a great opportunity. What’s wrong with that?”
And her sister was right. Nothing she could say aloud would change it.AdmittingI had spectacular sex with his brother, on your desk, Maddie, might raise some awkward questions.
Besides, her sister thought she hated Connor. Which, of course, was true! Well, hate was a strong word, and what Rachel felt…wasn’t hate. It felt very different than hate.
She closed her eyes as she prepared to open the door to the multi-story building that was now her home. But she didn’t have to bother. Someone had forgotten to close it properly again. Sunshine Pier was far too trusting for this town. She’d taken over Maddie’s apartment, which was mere steps from the dating agency and under the same roof. Taking the stairs seemed even more strenuous today than usual, maybe because her heart was so heavy. She’d decided she needed space, but had forgotten she was making bad decisions. God, she…
“Hey.”
She flinched and stared at the stairs to her apartment with her lips parted. Connor was sitting on the last step, staring at her, his wrists crossed over his drawn-up knees.
