street. “I parked two blocks that way.”
“I’ll walk you.”
We ambled in silence, side by side, and I thought about the night’s events. I didn’t know why Paul turned me down for a date if he wasn’t seeing anyone else, but he had to have feelings for me. Just like I had feelings for him. Otherwise he wouldn’t be so thoughtful and caring and sweet and have put up with my mother. . . .
Ugh. My mother.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for how my mom acted earlier. I’d like to say she was having an off night, but that’s actually just the way she is. She thinks she knows what’s best for me, but she doesn’t.”
He smiled down at me. “No need to apologize. I agree with your mom.”
My heart stopped as I realized she’d gotten to him. “But she’s wrong . She thinks I need to be with an executive who has a country club membership and flies first class.”
“A private jet is actually more convenient.” He sounded completely serious as he said this. “You deserve that.”
I stared up at him wondering what in the world he was talking about. Who cared about those kinds of things?
I gestured to my sporty coupe parked at the curb. “I’d rather have a Geoffries Martini brought to me every night. That means more than what money can buy.”
“You deserve both.” He walked me around to the driver’s side even as I gaped at him. “I know the perfect guy to set you up with. You still need a date for Friday night, right?”
My throat tightened. “You want to set me up with someone?”
“He’s perfect for you.” He opened my door. “Your mom would love Milton. He meets all of her requirements.”
Milton ?
I stared into those gorgeous blue eyes and my heart cracked. Paul didn’t have feelings for me if he could set me up with someone else, and the fact that he’d listened to my mom meant he didn’t know me at all. I’d been fooling myself.
My chest ached, burned . . . as if he’d shoved a knife into it.
But I refused to let it show.
I forced as smile. “Milton sounds perfect for date number five. Thanks.”
And after date number five, I was done with men.
Chapter Nine
On Thursday, my workday passed by in a blur. Ellen was shocked I didn’t hit it off with Kyle, but I reminded her that I’d only entered the dating deal in exchange for Kristen and Ginger’s help. Melanie had emailed the Internet photo to Ginger who’d stormed into my office and demanded details on “the building smooch.” I assured Ginger the kiss meant nothing—which it hadn’t to Paul, obviously.
I got another voicemail from my dad asking me to call him, but I didn’t have the energy to call him back. To be honest, I barely had the energy to meet Brian for dinner at the club. It’s not that he wasn’t nice—although he made my head spin when he mentioned a completely new firm he supposedly worked for—it’s just that I didn’t have it in me to fake a smile any longer. I wanted to stick with my remodel, mellow out in my sanctuary, and keep my heart safe.
Only when I got home after my (very last) date with Brian, I dropped onto the sofa and tried to relax, but everything reminded me of Paul. The pink heels I’d kicked off as soon as I walked in the door brought back the thrill of rappelling down the Geoffries hotel with him. The half-empty wine bottle on the counter reminded me of our conversation by the river where he’d opened up to me about his dad. The ballet poster in the living room transported me back to the theatre where I’d cuddled up to him so relaxed and secure, I’d fallen asleep.
Tears burned my eyes. He’d totally intruded on my plans to remodel my house. I tried to think about paint swatches and fabric patterns and cool furniture, but all I could think about were his sapphire-blue eyes, charming smile, and teasing voice. He’d even ruined my happy place. No way I’d take a glass of wine down to the river when all I’d feel is empty that he
“I’ll walk you.”
We ambled in silence, side by side, and I thought about the night’s events. I didn’t know why Paul turned me down for a date if he wasn’t seeing anyone else, but he had to have feelings for me. Just like I had feelings for him. Otherwise he wouldn’t be so thoughtful and caring and sweet and have put up with my mother. . . .
Ugh. My mother.
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for how my mom acted earlier. I’d like to say she was having an off night, but that’s actually just the way she is. She thinks she knows what’s best for me, but she doesn’t.”
He smiled down at me. “No need to apologize. I agree with your mom.”
My heart stopped as I realized she’d gotten to him. “But she’s wrong . She thinks I need to be with an executive who has a country club membership and flies first class.”
“A private jet is actually more convenient.” He sounded completely serious as he said this. “You deserve that.”
I stared up at him wondering what in the world he was talking about. Who cared about those kinds of things?
I gestured to my sporty coupe parked at the curb. “I’d rather have a Geoffries Martini brought to me every night. That means more than what money can buy.”
“You deserve both.” He walked me around to the driver’s side even as I gaped at him. “I know the perfect guy to set you up with. You still need a date for Friday night, right?”
My throat tightened. “You want to set me up with someone?”
“He’s perfect for you.” He opened my door. “Your mom would love Milton. He meets all of her requirements.”
Milton ?
I stared into those gorgeous blue eyes and my heart cracked. Paul didn’t have feelings for me if he could set me up with someone else, and the fact that he’d listened to my mom meant he didn’t know me at all. I’d been fooling myself.
My chest ached, burned . . . as if he’d shoved a knife into it.
But I refused to let it show.
I forced as smile. “Milton sounds perfect for date number five. Thanks.”
And after date number five, I was done with men.
Chapter Nine
On Thursday, my workday passed by in a blur. Ellen was shocked I didn’t hit it off with Kyle, but I reminded her that I’d only entered the dating deal in exchange for Kristen and Ginger’s help. Melanie had emailed the Internet photo to Ginger who’d stormed into my office and demanded details on “the building smooch.” I assured Ginger the kiss meant nothing—which it hadn’t to Paul, obviously.
I got another voicemail from my dad asking me to call him, but I didn’t have the energy to call him back. To be honest, I barely had the energy to meet Brian for dinner at the club. It’s not that he wasn’t nice—although he made my head spin when he mentioned a completely new firm he supposedly worked for—it’s just that I didn’t have it in me to fake a smile any longer. I wanted to stick with my remodel, mellow out in my sanctuary, and keep my heart safe.
Only when I got home after my (very last) date with Brian, I dropped onto the sofa and tried to relax, but everything reminded me of Paul. The pink heels I’d kicked off as soon as I walked in the door brought back the thrill of rappelling down the Geoffries hotel with him. The half-empty wine bottle on the counter reminded me of our conversation by the river where he’d opened up to me about his dad. The ballet poster in the living room transported me back to the theatre where I’d cuddled up to him so relaxed and secure, I’d fallen asleep.
Tears burned my eyes. He’d totally intruded on my plans to remodel my house. I tried to think about paint swatches and fabric patterns and cool furniture, but all I could think about were his sapphire-blue eyes, charming smile, and teasing voice. He’d even ruined my happy place. No way I’d take a glass of wine down to the river when all I’d feel is empty that he
Similar Books
