Page 18 of The Mr. Right Checklist

I rattle it off. “Why?”

“I’m texting you the number of the insurance guy I mentioned earlier and my brother Chuck’s number. He’s a lawyer. He specializes in corporate law. I’ll give him a call when we’re done and set you up with him.”

I can’t help teasing him. “Wow, you’re setting me up with your brother? He’s hot, and he seemed fun. Definitely more G.I. Joe than Kenny boy.”

His jaw clenches. “Settle down, sunshine. He’s not your type.”

“You only say that because no one is your type.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“You know it’s true.” I lower my voice. “Several women have checked you out in here, and you won’t even look at them. Nobody is that oblivious.”

“What? Who’s checking me out?” He looks around. “You’re making shit up.”

“Oh yeah? Then what’s your type? Model perfect? All legs and boobs and flirty as the day is long?”

He grumbles something under his breath.

“What was your ex like? I bet she was beautiful.”

“I’m not having this conversation.”

“How am I going to find your match if I don’t know your type?”

“You’re not a matchmaker.”

“But I could be, and besides, I need to know those types of things if I’m going to fool your family into thinking we’re really a couple. You need to loosen up for this conversation, and I know just how to make that happen. This calls for something sweet.” I push to my feet. “I’m going to get a cookie. What would you like?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

“You can either tell me what you’d like or leave it up to me to surprise you.”

“There you go again, not listening to what I say.”

“I listened, but I don’t believe you. Everyone loves sweets. I bet you’re a scone guy, all hard around the edges, no mushy inside. I’m on it.” I can feel his eyes burning a hole in my back as I head up to the counter.

“Hi, Destiny,” Heaven, a curvy brunette, says. “I was going to pop over to your table as soon as I got a break. I’ve got something for you. A guy was in here asking questions about your flyer earlier. He seemed really interested but kind of shy, so I got his number and said I’d pass it on to you.” She reaches below the counter and hands me a piece of paper.

“Really?” I look at the paper, which has the name Arjun Patel and a phone number written on it. “Ar-June? Did I pronounce that right?”

“Close. It’s Ar-jun, and he’s super nice.”

“Thank you so much! This is awesome. You’re the best.”

“Girl, you know I’m talking you up every chance I get. Maybe karma will come back to me and you’ll be planning a proposal for me one day.” She leans across the counter with a mischievous spark in her eyes and lowers her voice. “So, you and Fletch, huh?”

“Oh gosh, no. He’s just helping me get my business organized.”

“Mm-hm. Right. I see that smile.” She winks and whispers, “I’ll keep it on the down-low.”

“What?” I laugh. “No down-low. I’m just excited about a potential client. Fletch and I are really just friends. Well, kind of friends. Maybe more associates? It’s a long story, but I made his life hell yesterday, and he’s making sure I never make that mistake again.”

“Whatever you say, but just so you know, half the women in this town would love to be sitting at a table with him right now. Not that he gives any of them the time of day, which only makes him mysterious and even more attractive.”

I glance over my shoulder at Fletch talking on his phone. Nope. No butterflies. But his pinched brows and far-too-serious face do make me smile. I turn back to Heaven. “You see mysterious. I see a tough nut to crack. Do you by chance know what his favorite treat is?”

“I sure do. He goes mad for the lady locks.”