He squeezes me. “Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you fall in love. You just get all weird and whatever else.”
“Yeah, well, maybe it wouldn’t be … um,weirdif I was with the right person,” I reason, pulling away to look up at him.
Parker shrugs, looking indifferent. “Who knows. I’m not really the best person to speak on it. If you want to talk about dating and love, I’ll point you to Wes. He’s the one who wants to be a love guru, I think. He can’t get enough of the dating scene.”
“Hmm.” I purse my lips. “I think I’ll be avoiding the dating scene for a long time.”
“Yeah, that’s what I always say, too.” He sighs. “And then I get dragged into it over and over again. Weston’s desperate for love and has recently becomeobsessedwith going to speed dating events. He always insists he needs a wingman.”
“Sounds exhausting. Have you met anyone?” I ask, reaching for the pizza box and flipping it open to see my favorite pepperoni pizza beneath. I pick up a slice and bite down as Parker follows suit.
“Yeah, no. I don’t know. I met this one chick named Amy who’swaymore than I can handle, but I just keep running into her. I guess we’re like …friendsnow, or something.”
I narrow my eyes at my brother, not buying what he’s selling. “That was the most complicated response ever.”
“Yeah, well, just wait till you meet Amy. Then you’ll understandexactlywhat I mean.”
“Hmm, I look forward to it,” I say with a full mouth. “Maybe I’ll even tag along to some of these speed dating events with you and Weston…”
He cocks a brow. “Are you sure that’s the best idea?”
“It’d just be for fun, not to actuallyfindanyone,” I clarify. “I’m stayingfaraway from relationships until I heal. The last thing I need right now is to fall in love.”
Parker meets my gaze, mirroring the same sadness I feel inside. “Me, too.”
Chapter Two
Weston
Maybe tonight will be the night I finally find my person.
I rub my hands together as I sit in the dive bar booth, waiting for the speed dating event to start. Another event, another try, the same nervous energy I always pretend I don’t have.
I couldn’t convince my best friend to come along with me tonight. Apparently dragging him to the last four was his limit, but honestly, he’s a buzzkill anyway.
Parker hates love.
He also hates that I do this—thinks it makes me look desperate. He likes to point out that “normal people” don’t have a favorite speed dating host.
But me? I don’t want to be alone forever.
I mean, I’m thirty now. I’d like to start a family, and I don’t want to be an old dad … But considering I don’t even have a girlfriend, the odds aren’t exactly in my favor.
Which is why I’m here.
Again.
I take a sip of my drink and glance around. New faces. New names. New conversations I’ll try to make interesting. I’m good at these, actually. I usually leave with a few laughs, a couple compliments, and at least one phone number in my pocket.
Sometimes more.
The problem is, it never goes past the first or second date.
We’ll grab coffee, maybe drinks. They’ll smile, I’ll pay, we’ll hug outside. And then, something always fades—interest, chemistry, timing, I never know which. I just know that by the next week, the texts slow, the plans dissolve, and I’m right back here.
Waiting for the next round.
“All right, all right.” A voice comes over a loudspeaker. “Let’s get started. Who here wants to find love tonight?” the announcer booms, and the crowd at the bar claps for her, calling out funny comments.
