He half shrugged. “Apparently, me. But seriously, he’s a great guy.”
“I don’t know.” I plopped on the floor, a puzzle piece still in my hand. “I kinda like a guy.” It had gone past kinda and into the realm ofhe consumed far too much of my thoughts.
“Does the guy kinda like you back?” Hal asked.
“I don’t know. I never asked him.”
“Are you gonna ask him?” He wasn’t letting this go.
“I can’t. He was a neighbor when I was cat sitting. I can’t just wander into that building now that I’m not working there.” I had no proper documentation. Pretty sure the doorman wasn’t going to accept, “I want to go see if the hottie upstairs is looking for a little.”
“Oh, him,” Ernie said. I’d told them about my hero the night I locked myself out, just left out the tiny detail of my big old crush.
“Yeah, him.”
“What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t like him?”
I surprised myself by agreeing to their chaotic plan.
“We’re gonna give him your information. Be prepared. You’re gonna have a hot daddy calling you, and you won’t know how to thank us properly, you’ll be so happy.”
“And how does ‘thank you’ properly look? Remind me.”
“By coming to the obstacle course next time.”
“That I can do.”
Chapter Eight
Memphis
I kind of hoped I’d hear back from Jovan or August with contact info for the little right away, but a few days later, nothing. That couldn’t be good. He most likely was not interested in meeting up with me, and I’d have to let him go. I had been on my own for a long time, and I could continue that way if I had to.
Even if we did speak, there was no guarantee he’d want more from me. Halfway through the week, I’d decided to move on. For all I knew, Ridge had a daddy or a boyfriend or husband or all three in his life. Just because Ernie and Hal were friends with him didn’t tell me what his status was. Jovan and August didn’t have that information or they’d have said something.
And then, just when I’d given up, my phone buzzed with a text. Unknown number. Usually, I’d have ignored it, but something told me not to. Not this time.
A couple of mutual friends suggested I contact you. Hal and Ernie?
It didn’t sound as if he knew we’d met. Did he forget already? But I typed,Oh, yes, of course. I know them.
My name is Ridge. They were quite insistent. I hope you don’t mind.
Not at all.If he didn’t remember me, what should I say next? Fortunately, he went on.
Maybe we could meet up somewhere and talk?
Picturing the panicked cat sitter in his dino jammies, I wished I could tell him how brave he was being.What about dinner sometime soon? Chez Panni?
Dinner is fine but maybe at Bobby’s Diner? Great burgers and shakes.
Also, a whole lot less expensive… Was he afraid I didn’t want to pay?That sounds great.
We set a day and time, and I placed my phone on the coffee table and leaned back into my sofa. Moderately confused if he realized who I was and where we’d previously met. It sure didn’t sound like it. If he didn’t recognize me, we had a real issue.
But when the appointed day—two days later—came along, and I walked up to the front door of the diner to see him standing there, he flushed deep red then clapped a hand to his face. “It’s you.”
“You didn’t know? Really?” I took his other hand and pulled him into a friendly hug. “Are you disappointed?”
