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“I am focusing.” She snorts and then covers her mouth. “I mean, it’s not like you don’t know. I’m looking for a long-term commitment.”
“And when you say long-term commitment, what does that mean to you?”
“I don’t know. Marriage. I mean, obviously not right away. I’m not crazy. I’m not looking to meet someone tomorrow and get married next week.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that you’re not completely off your rocker.”
“Thanks, Brett.”
“You’re welcome. So, you’re looking for a relationship that’s going to lead to marriage?”
“Yes, that’s what I want.”
“So, you’re not looking for something casual, you’re not looking for friends with benefits, you’re not looking for a hookup?”
“No, I’m definitely not looking for friends with benefits.” She wrinkles her nose.
“Then why would you offer to have a one-night stand with me?”
She pauses and tips her head to the side, considering my question. Her lips twitch, and she leans forward. “Well, honestly, because that’s what you want.”
“Explain that to me, please, Rosie.”
“You don’t want a relationship, and I think you’re pretty hot, and I know you think I’m pretty hot, and I know you only do one-night stands, so I thought, why not live in the moment and just have some fun?”
“And that’s where you’re going wrong,” I say, coming to sit next to her on the couch.
She taps her finger against her lower lip as she takes in my somber expression. “What are you talking about? What did I do wrong now?”
“You can’t make decisions based on what someone else wants, Rosie.”
She wrinkles her cute little nose and leans back. “Maybe I wanted it as well, but you already told me you didn’t want a one-night stand.” She gives me a withering look. “I don’t want a one-night stand either, but I was willing to make an exception for you.”
“Lesson number two: You do not make exceptions for men.”
“Fine. It’s not like we’re going to have a one-night stand anyway.”
“Exactly. I’m glad you realized that.”
She rolls her eyes. I reach over to the coffee table, grab a pen and notepad, and hand them to her.
“What’s this for?”
“I want you to write a list of everything you want in a man, and then we’re going to go over that list, and I’ll tell you whether or not I think the items you’re looking for are realistic.”
“Oh my gosh, this sounds like homework.”
“That’s because finding true love is work. It doesn’t just fall at your feet.”
She stares at me, and I watch as she nibbles on the pen. Her toes bounce up and down on the floor, and then she starts scribbling rapidly. My breath catches as I glance at her lips. She’s concentrating so hard, and her face looks as beautiful as it always does.
“Okay, I have my list,” she says suddenly, leaning back. “What’s next?”
“Now you read it to me.”
“Oh, Brett, do I have to?”
“If I’m going to be the best coach I can be, then yes.”
