Cheryl laughs. “She works the front desk at a Hilton near the college.”
I purse my lips, feeling more like an idiot with every single passing moment. “So, you were playing me, is what you’re saying, right?”
Anna gives me a sheepish look. “I mean, when you put it that way—”
“Wow, okay.” I blow out a sharp breath, shaking my head. “Yeah, this is a waste of my time.” I spin on my heels and head straight for the door, not even thinking twice about the women behind me, giggling.
They must think I’m some pathetic nerd who can’t get a girlfriend to save my life.
I’m embarrassed as I head off down the street toward my apartment. I have everything I could ever want, and I could give a girl the whole freaking world.
But not a single one will take me seriously for more than a date or two.
Is there something wrong with me?
I pull out my phone and dial Parker, hoping he’s not asleep and will come out for a drink or something. It rings twice before he answers.
“Hey.” Parker’s voice sounds muffled. “What’s up?”
“Uh, tonight was a total mess. It’s a good thing you didn’t come cause it was the biggest waste of time. I was just wondering what you’re up to? Wanna meet up?”
“Uh…” Parker’s voice trails off. “As much as I’d love to hear about the crapshoot you had tonight, I’m kinda busy. Brittany is here. Can we maybe just have lunch tomorrow?”
I swallow the disappointment. “Yeah, sure. I’ll just see you tomorrow.”
“Cool.” Parker hangs up then.
I sigh, shoving my phone in my pocket as I make my way back to my dark, empty house.
And this is whatforever aloneis going to be like.
“So … Brittany moved in with you?” I slide into the booth across from Parker, still chilled from the long walk to the lunch spot we always seem to frequent.
Parker sighs, looking exhausted. “Yeah, she’s havingguyproblems. She and her fiancé broke up.”
I nod, thinking back to all the stories he’s told me over the years about her fiancé, who was some millionaire hedge fund manager. His name is Cal …Something.“It could be worse,” I muse. “She could’ve actually married him, and then she’d be dealing with a messy divorce. Although … she might have gotten rich doing it.”
“No.” Parker stops my thought right there, shaking his head. “I’m sure that guy had prenups on the ready. Cal was not the type to share anything. He even made her pay to break the lease on her apartment when he begged her to move in with him.”
My best friend sounds absolutely disgusted, and I have to say I agree with him.
“Yeah,” I grunt, shuddering. “She’s better off kicking him to the curb. Your sister needs better taste in men…”
“Yeah, and to thinkyouused to have a crush on her.” Parker lets out a little snort as the waitress sets down our glasses of water. I swoop mine up, avoiding his gaze.
I give him a sheepish smile as I swallow. “I totally did … and I seriously thought if I could just catch her attention, it would be over for the both of us. But gosh, I haven’t seen her in years. You know, I think I even made her a ring out of a bread tie once.” I chuckle at my weird obsession with her. I was the poorest kid in college, and I remembered crafting the stupid ring while in deep thought … about her.
Parker makes a face. “That’s weird … and a little disturbing.”
I mull it over, thinking about the box I tossed it into. “I think I still have it.”
“Yeah, point made.” Parker visibly cringes. “Stay away from my sister. You date around too much, anyway. She doesn’t need to go falling for you.”
I ignore the jab.
It’s hard to say I’vedated aroundwhen, lately, I can’t even make it past the second date. “She’s a lawyer, right?”
“Yeah,” Parker says flatly, picking up his menu.
