Her eyes narrowed, a devilish grin spreading across her lips. “But you find him delicious, don’t you?”
I laughed. “Why would you say that?”
“It’s funny, when Jordan showed us Mike’s photo and I was saying he was your type, I realized the description I gave was basically Gavin’s description too. The two guys look nothing alike, but the characteristics are almost exact. Which means Gavin’s also your type, I just didn’t mention it—I figured I’d save us both the embarrassment.”
I fanned my face, something I’d do regardless of who she was talking about. “Gavin is everyone’s type. The man is drop-dead sexy.”
“It’s too bad he’s such a player.” She groaned. “Don’t get me wrong, so was Jordan before we met. But Gavin isn’t going to bring just anyone around his son—Jordan told me that once. So he’ll end up being this forever bachelor and never settle down. Or he’ll at least wait until Ben is older and won’t get attached in the meantime.”
I wondered what she’d think of the texts that were currently sitting on my phone. Would she still agree with her statement? Would Gavin’s effort soften her opinion?
It didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to show her my cell.
Still, I wanted to push this conversation a little further. “But you changed Jordan. You made him want to only be with you.”
She smiled. “I think he wanted to change. He was ready.”
“Gavin’s not?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.” The door opened, and she moved beside me while we exited. “But what I do know is Mike issupposedly this awesome guy. He has an incredible career. I mean, he’s the head freaking coach of the Bears, Em.” Her voice was growing more excited with each box she checked off. “He’s good-looking. And Jordan says he’s super sweet. I think you should let Jordan make the connection for you.”
I stuck my hands in my pockets. The urge to pull out my phone and reply to Gavin was almost unbearable. “Jordan called him super sweet?”
“He might not have used those exact words.”
I gently hit her shoulder at the start of the crosswalk and laughed. “I didn’t think so.” I paused for a moment. “But I really want to think about this, okay?”
She looked at me, staring straight into my eyes. “Babe, why?”
I needed a reason. And I needed one quickly.
Because on paper, Mike was everything I wanted.
“Hockey’s a very long season. I can only imagine, as the head coach, he basically lives at the arena, and I know their travel schedule is bananas. Plus, he’s a dad and that takes precedence. There’s nowhere for me to fit in.”
I was impressed with myself, despite every word being the truth.
The only thing I hadn’t mentioned was that Mike wasn’t a man I was interested in.
Because bits of my heart already belonged to someone else.
“But he would become obsessed with you, and he’d fit you in.”
“I know I’m fabulous, but fitting me into a tiny window isn’t enough. I want more, Maya.” I let the emotion in so she could hear it. “I want all of it. Like you have.”
“And that’s what you deserve.” She put her arm around my shoulders as we approached the restaurant. “I’m going to drill Jordan tonight. Back to the drawing board we go.”
“I love you. More than anything and anyone in this world. But when the perfect guy for me comes along, it’s going to happen for all the right reasons, and when it does, I’ll be ready.”
She put her hand on top of my head, turning it until I looked at her. “You’re saying you don’t want me to play matchmaker, aren’t you?” She sighed when I nodded. “Womp, womp.” She opened the door to the restaurant.
Before I walked in, I said, “Don’t hate me.”
“Are you kidding, I could never.” She stood next to me in the entrance and hugged my arm. “I’m going to run to the ladies’ room. Will you grab us a table?”
“Of course.” As she headed for the back of the restaurant, the hostess nowhere in sight, I pulled out my phone to reply to Gavin’s last text.
Me:I heard that introduction might happen today at the rehab center.
