“Stop right there,” I ordered. “I amnotgoing to fall in love with Percy!”
Maverick laughed. “Yeah, fair. Sorry. I just want you to meet someone and be happy.”
“Well, we can’t all have a sexy asshole living next door.”
“You could try asking out Mr. Gomez,” Maverick teased. “He might need a cute little twink in his life.”
I threw a coaster at him.
“Mr. Gomez?” Silas said, having just strolled up with a drink in his hand. He’d clearly stopped to flirt with the bartender before coming over. “I’m the last one to judge. Older men can be hot. But isn’t he like seventy-five?”
I threw a coaster at him too. “I’m not hot for my neighbor!”
“Hey, no shame if you are,” Silas said with a grin. “To each their own, right? As long as you get laid, it’s all good.”
“I’m not getting laid,” I insisted so loudly a table full of teens burst out laughing.
I ducked my head, cheeks heating.
Silas shook his head. “This is just sad. If you want a hookup, I met this guy in Omaha last week?—”
“Met?” Maverick challenged.
“Met. Fucked. Whatever.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Ew. I don’t want your sloppy seconds.”
“Who says they’re sloppy? He was a super nice guy.”
“Then why don’t you date him?” Maverick asked.
“You know why,” Silas said dismissively.
For a wedding planner, he was more jaded than either of us. He hit it and quit it like a man allergic to love. He claimed it was because he saw too many of his clients break up after they got married.
But I was pretty sure it ran deeper than that.
“Seriously, Jamie, just get on the Thrust app. You’ll find a hookup right away.”
“I don’t want a hookup,” I muttered. “I want a boyfriend.”
“Well, maybe you’re trying too hard,” Silas said. “Sometimes you just have to relax and let these things come to you.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. It was tough watching my siblings get married off. Then my cousins. Most of my high school friends. Even Maverick was all coupled up now.
It sucked to be the one left behind.
“I’m gonna need another drink,” I muttered.
Silas hopped up. “I’ll get it!”
Maverick grabbed his arm and yanked him back down. “Hold on. Let’s order some food or we’ll be pouring Jamie into his house. You know he’s a lightweight.”
Silas sighed dramatically and smoothed his hands over his perfectly styled pompadour that made him look like a Hollywood star. “Fine. I’ll just have to work my magic on Paxton later.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t already tapped him and moved on,” Maverick said.
“And spoil the fun of the chase? Nah. Don’t think so.”
