A strong flash of jealousy floods my veins. I have no claim on this man, but I want him all the same.
“I’ll let you know how my date goes this week and then I can help you.”
“Hopefully it goes well.”
“Fingers crossed.”
Sam tips his head at us before heading toward the dining room. I focus on the computer, not wanting to make it look like I’m checking him out.
Because damn. He is one fine specimen of a man and you can’t help but stare at him.
“So where are you going to go on this date?” Reenie asks.
“We’ll get pancakes. Easy enough for dinner, and if he doesn’t mind it, that tells me a lot about him.”
“I hope he’s good to you,” she says, squeezing my shoulder as she heads back to the office. “I need to grab some more paper. Be right back.”
“Take your time.”
As soon as she leaves, my eyes dart up, hoping to catch a glance of Sam, but to no avail.
I should be more concerned about my date this week and not Sam. Sam is off-limits. No good will come from lusting over my dad’s best friend.
Gavin looks like a nice guy. Maybe we’ll hit it off and the two of us will fall madly in love and he’ll make me forget all about Sam.
Sam who?
That’s the attitude I need to carry with me this week. Things are looking up. I haven’t had a date in a long time. This will be good for me. Seeing Sam.
Damnit!Gavin. Things will be good with Gavin.
If only I don’t have to keep reminding myself who I’m going out with…
Chapter Four
JOEY
Tap. Tap. Tap.
My nails tap a staccato on the Formica tabletop at Pinecrest Pancake Emporium. I suggested it because it’s a low key spot for a first date. Not much pressure. Then if things go well, we can go to The Dusty Spur for a drink. Even though my brother owns it, it’s not the worst thing.
The best part about being from a small town is everyone knows me here. Everyone. I’ve grown up here. My parents grew up here and their parents before them.
So there’s always a watchful eye on me. If Gavin turns out to be a serial killer, he won’t get far. Which was why I don’t mind being here.
Sipping my drink, I tap my phone to check the time. He’s now twenty minutes late. I wonder how long I should give Gavin to show up.
I fidget with the straw wrapper sitting on the table in front of me, shredding it to pieces.Where is this guy?I pull up my message to him from when I arrived, telling him I was here. Nothing since then.
Knowing my luck, this asshole ghosted me.
I hate that I put so much into how I looktonight. And I look really fucking good. I curled my hair and did my makeup to perfection. Brought out my best navy, floral-print crop top with the thin straps. Paired it with my favorite dark, high-rise jeans and cute gold sandals.
I even used my brand-new dark lip stain—the one I’d been saving for a special occasion. That’ll show me to use it on some throwaway guy who doesn’t care about me.
It’s been too hard to try and find a nice guy. Someone who shows up when they say they will and treats me with respect. It’s not like I’m asking for all that much.
I tried to make a go of it with Max’s dad for my son’s sake, but he was worthless and wanted nothing to do with my sweet baby. It’s like he jinxed my love life and made it so I’m not good enough for any guy that I meet.
