Page 52 of Golden Goal

Opening my eyes, I nod at my reflection in the mirror. I adjust the clip in my hair, then shut off the light before heading back into my bedroom to grab my purse, and going out to the living room where Sutton is waiting. I told her I’d meet her at the bar, but she insisted on picking me up. She probably thought I’d bail on her at the last minute.

“Is this okay?”

She gets to her feet, giving me a once-over. “Of course.”

She’s wearing a long V-neck navy dress, with flowy sleeves and a slit that goes halfway up her thigh, and black ankle boots. Her blonde hair is curled and loose down her back.

“You look stunning.”

“Thanks.” She fidgets with the ring she’s wearing on her thumb.

“I’m nervous,” I admit.

“It’ll be fun.” She flashes me a smile, continuing to fiddle with her ring.

“You okay?” I stare pointedly at her hand.

She drops her arms to her sides. “Sorry. I’m good. I think I had too much caffeine today. It makes me fidget.” Her phone lights up with a notification. “Our car’s here.”

We make our way outside. Sutton verifies the license plate and the driver’s name, and then we climb in. I volunteered to be the designated driver, but she insisted we take a rideshare so I wouldn’t have to drive her home. She even prepaid, refusing to take the money I offered.

“Are you on the apps?” she asks when we’re buckled in the backseat.

“Excuse me?”

“You know, dating apps?” She waves her phone around.

I shake my head.

She furrows her brow. “How do you meet guys then?”

“I don’t. This is the first time I’ve thought about dating in a really long time.”

“Cool. I’m glad you’re coming tonight. I’m on all the apps, and I’ve had no luck with them, so it’s probably better that you avoid them.” She chuckles. “The dating world is brutal. I swear, I either get matched with guys who have multiple kids, with multiple women—not that there’s anything wrong with that, I just have no desire to be a stepmom—or guys who ghost me after one date.” She shudders. “They don’t even have the decency to message and tell me they’re not interested. At least with speed dating, you can get a feel for the guy in person before you commit a bunch of time talking to them online.”

“Makes sense.”

“What are you in the market for? A serious relationship, a husband, a fun fuckboy?”

“I just want something casual and fun.”

“Can I ask why you don’t want a serious relationship? Did you have a shitty one? Is that why you moved here?” She clasps a hand to her mouth. “Shit. That was way too many questions. You don’t have to answer them. I’m just curious.”

“It’s okay.” I tell her. “It doesn’t seem fair to get serious with a guy given how much I work. Plus, I don’t really want to get married.” So I don’t fall in love. I have zero desire to have someone else I love get hurt.

She studies me for a beat. “I feel as if there’s more to this story but I’ve been nosey enough for one night.”

“What about you?” I ask, grateful that she’s letting it go. For now.

“I want to fall in love. Get married. Have a happily ever after. But I’m beginning to think it isn’t in the cards for me.”

Before I can ask her more, the driver comes to a stop in front of the bar. We thank him and climb out.

“We could still change our minds,” I suggest as we walk toward the front door.

Sutton hooks her arm through mine. “Nope, we’re going. You promised.”

I sigh but allow her to lead me into the nearly empty bar, and over to the woman seated at a table by the door. She hands us name tags and markers, tells us what tables we’re at, then she gives us both a piece of paper with twenty numbers on it, along with a pen. She promises to go over the process once everyone is checked in.