Page 106 of Crushed By Love

“I’m not much of a TV person,” I remind her.

She waves that off. “It’s really edgy. Anyway, he splits his time between California and Manhattan. He hasn’t dated anyone in a while but he’s into you. And you’ve met him, so you already know he’s a good catch.”

If he’s such a good catch, why doesn’t she date him?

But I keep my mouth shut and allow her to dress me. Really, this woman should’ve been a stylist on top of an interior designer. She’s got the eye and the personality for it, but on the other hand she’s doing a lot of good with Laurence International’s charitable foundation. She styles me in a long beachy dress with a slit up the side to reveal my thigh, gold understated jewelry, and then manages to tame my hair into loose waves. “You really don’t need much makeup but let’s accentuate those gorgeous eyes.”

I snort. “They’re boring brown.” Nothing like her vibrant green.

“Don’t say that. They’re a stunning honey and I love them.”

Twenty minutes later and we’re heading back downstairs, following the low hum of conversation leading to the outdoor dining area. There are voices I don’t recognize. They must belong to Perry and his family. And of course, when we slide through the back door and out onto the patio, we’re greeted by the ever-so-handsome Perry Hargrove, his sophisticated mother and father, and teenage twin sisters who are busy huddled together over their phones.

Perry looks me up and down, eyes appreciative, and grinning at me like we’re the only ones here. It should make my stomach swoop in excitement, not twist in on itself like I’m going to be sick. I know I told myself I’d give him a chance, but now that I’m faced with it, I don’t think that’s possible.

Besides the brief conversation at the yacht club party, I haven’t seen Perry since the Fourth of July two summers ago. Even still, it would be impossible to forget a face like his. He’s the classic Hollywood type and could easily be the one in front of the camera instead of behind it if he wanted to be a movie star.

Sybil elbows me gently before strutting forward and throwing her arms around his neck. “It’s good to see you again, Perry.”

“You too, Sybil. It’s been too long.” His reply sounds genuine, but his eyes are on me. If I wasn’t sure what someone blatantly checking me out looked like before, I sure know what it looks like now. “Arden, it’s so great to see you as well.” He finishes his hug with Sybil and then wraps me in an even tighter one. I stiffen under the touch. It’s not like we’re old friends. I’ve only had two conversations with him.

We settle into our spots around the table and no surprise, I’m placed right next to Perry. The food smells and looks wonderful but I can hardly taste it. It’s not Perry himself that bothers me—it’s this blatant setup.

First my uncle swoops in and claims to save me from a lawsuit, then he moves me to Manhattan and gives me a place to stay, pays for my college, ensures I have a job at his company, and now he’s trying to set me up with his friend’s son. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’ve been blessed, but sometimes I feel like I’ve lost control of my life. The girl I used to be is gone but I still don’t know the person I’m supposed to be in her place.

After dinner, the group heads out to the beach to watch the sunset and I soon find myself standing alone with Perry.

“I haven’t scared you away, have I?” he asks.

I laugh lightly. “I don’t know, you’re pretty scary.”

“And you’re beautiful.”

I go tense and look up at him, trying to search out if he’s being genuine or just playing a part.

“It’s true,” he says. “You’re even more beautiful now than you were two summers ago.”

He’s staring down at me with dreamy dark eyes, dimples popping in his smooth African American skin, a bewildered smile bright on his mouth. He’s so handsome that it would be easy to get swept away by him. And this is the kind of brazen compliment that I’m not used to receiving, the kind of thing that probably would’ve worked on me when I was younger and eager for affection. I wanted love so badly back then, but now his words do nothing for me.

“Perry, I don’t know what you want from this, but I just want us to be friends.”

His mouth twists and he lets out a labored breath. “Wow, I really read this all wrong. I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m flattered.”

He rocks back on his heels and smiles again. “So you won’t let me take you out on that date?”

Why should I? He dropped me the second Ethan got in the way and now that our families have decided that we’d make a great couple, suddenly he’s back to being interested? It’s not all that romantic. “I don’t think friends go on dates, but we could hang out with Sybil if you want.”

He shrugs. “If that’s what you want. It’s okay. I’m not going to beg. We can just be friends.” He says it honestly, not an ounce of annoyance or expectation, and I finally relax, my limbs loosening like coiled springs releasing.

“Why don’t you take Sybil out?” I suggest. It’s obvious to me that they’d make a great couple. They have so much in common and seem to get along really well.

Sybil is a gorgeous woman who has men knocking down her door. I would know, I live with her. She has multiple dates a week and is always off to some event or another. I also know all about her active sex life, but she never stays with anyone for long. Getting into a real relationship would probably do her good and Perry is at a stage in life where he’s looking for one.

“Don’t think I haven’t tried,” Perry laughs. “But Sybil’s just like you. It’s friend-zone only with her.”

Hmm . . . that’s interesting. Maybe it’s because Perry actually is an old friend and she doesn’t want to do anything to mess it up? Or maybe there’s more to the story? I can’t forget how I met Perry in the first place—through the King twins. The ties to her old flame could be a deal-breaker for her like it is to me.

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