“No amount of good looks can make up for a cocky attitude. Why can’t men just be normal, and nice, like Dex?”
Bianca laughs at me, “Do you remember how Dex and I met — how he lied to me for so long and pretended to be someone else? Men are idiots.”
She’s not wrong, they are.
“But I hate arrogance. It’s just,” I shudder. “So gross. Like, okay, you went to the Olympics and you swim like a god and your body is so damn lickable. Ohhhh, good for you,” I ramble.
Bianca snorts into her mug of wine. “He’s lickable, is he? Sounds like someone’s got a crush, Van.”
“I do not.”
That’s a lie. I totally do.
Bianca doesn’t believe me. I can tell from the way she’s looking at me and shaking her head slowly.
“Okay, fine. I admit I’ve got a teeny, tiny crush. But only because he’s so fucking gorgeous. Nothing else. I certainly have no intention of letting him try to charm me just so I can embarrass myself later.”
“So, you’re not avoiding the pool for a week because you’re scared?”
“No, I want to try something new, I told you. Yoga could be my thing.” I look away, not meeting her gaze.
“Bullshit, Van. You love to swim, and you’re ridiculously uncoordinated on land. You’re avoiding him.”
I stand up and walk to my kitchen to grab the bottle of wine out of the fridge.
“Moving on. How are the kids?”
She waits a moment before she answers, her eyes penetrating. I shift back and forth on my toes, hoping she will let me change the subject.
“They’re great. They miss their Auntie Van; you’ll have to come for a visit soon.”
I smile gratefully, “I’d like that.”
Bianca picks up her phone to check the time, and a soft smile spreads across her face, telling me Dex must have sent her a message. Their love is so powerful, it makes me want that for myself. They might have started off unconventionally, what with the whole ‘is he my half brother’ drama, but now they’ve got a beautiful family and are so freaking happy it would make anyone see hearts.
“Hey, did you hear back from the DC group about that job?” Bianca asks when she looks back at me.
I sit up excitedly. “Yeah, I got the job! At least I think I did. I’m going in for an interview on Monday. Thank Dex for me, will you? I’m pretty sure it was his reference that helped me.”
“I’ll tell him, but Van, you deserve that job. I know Dex meant every word he told them.” Bianca says warmly. “Will this give you enough to afford Molly?”
I let out a sigh, one that is laced with both hope and longing. “I don’t know, I need to finish paying off my last student loan first, but I hope so. Every time I go to the shelter, I’m terrified someone will have taken her home.”
“I don’t know why you don’t just let me and Dex pay the fee for you. That dog belongs with you!”
It’s not the first time my friends have offered to help, but my stubborn pride won’t let me accept.
“You know I can’t let you do that. If I can’t afford to adopt her, I can’t afford to keep her. It’s as simple as that.” I say bluntly. “Besides, I really do think the DC group job will be enough to make it happen. If I actually get the job, that is.”
“You will,” Bianca says confidently.
We clink our mugs together and drink to my future job and future dog.
After Bianca goes home that night, I find myself lying awake in bed. Bianca’s right, I am avoiding the guy from the pool. But I’ve got my reasons. The last time I let myself be charmed by a pretty face and charming attitude, I was hurt. Badly.
I don’thaveto swim. Maybe I’ll find that my passion lies elsewhere. Far away from delicious men with droolworthy abs and accents. There’s nothing stopping me from trying something new for my fitness, and keeping myself far away from the temptation of sexy swimmer guy.
I roll over, force my eyes closed, and take some calming breaths. Anything to quiet the voice inside of me that says I’ll regret this decision.
