He scans the café, like he’s making sure no one’seavesdropping, then leans in closer. “Fine. A fake date,” he whispers, sketching air quotes.
“Rowan,” I whisper, a little imploringly.
“It’s cool. In time, you’ll admit you want it. For now, consider this my yes.”
He’s messing with me. He has to be messing with me. That’s the only explanation. Best for me to just laugh it off and move on. “You’re confirmed then,” I say, all sunshine and business. “I’ll text you to set it up. And I’ll know if it’s you by the number of exclamation points.”
“Zero for me,” he says.
“I know, Rowan. I know.”
He looks toward the door of the busy bookstore café, then back at me, and there’s some reluctance in his eyes, I swear. Like he doesn’t want to go. As he stands, his phone buzzes and he gives me a look of apology. “Might be Mia.”
“Check it,” I urge.
He does, then smiles, and says sheepishly, “She likes to send me dog and cat jokes.”
“Read it to me,” I say.
“Why did the cat sit on the computer?” He pauses before delivering the punchline. “It wanted to keep an eye on the mouse.”
I smile. “Cute.”
“Yeah,” he says, and there’s this sweet affection in his voice. Then, with a small, almost begrudging smile, he adds, “Well, I can’t believe we have to keep doing this, but I’ll see you again.”
He doesn’t make it sound like the worst punishment in the world.
I’ll take that as progress.
8
A GIFT FOR THE GRUMP
ROWAN
Like a dog shaking off the first snow flurries of the season, I do my best to shake off that encounter with Isla.
The way she nailed me was a little terrifying. And I’d thought I was good at putting up walls. Damn, she’s incredible at tearing them down. She’s a one-woman wrecking ball, decked out in pretty clothes, and with shiny hair I want to run my hands through—then pull.
And that goes on the long list of things I shouldn’t think about my best friend’s sister.
Not just because she’s his sister, but because he knows how scarred my heart is, which makes it all the more surprising he’s pushing this matchmaking thing.
As I drive to the arena, I hit Jason’s number on the console, skipping formalities. “Dude, you know better than anyone what happened with my ex. Why are you so set on me moving on?”
“Same reason your teammates are. We just want you to be happy.”
“News flash: Iamhappy,” I say.
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I really don’t,” I reply.
“Look, I’m not saying you’re going to findthe one.But it wouldn’t hurt to meet someone, spend a little time with them. It’s been a long while since Regina.”
I grit my teeth. “Yeah, and that’s a good thing,” I say as I pull into the players’ lot.
“Let Isla do her thing. She’ll find you someone nice, caring, funny, trustworthy. It’ll be good, even if it’s not forever.”
