Page 35 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

Evelyn laughs. “It’s a success. We’re not done yet, but everyone is having fun. This is the first event I’ve ever hosted, and I’m proud. I’m thinking that I may do something like this more often.”

I concentrate on eating. “How long is this break for?”

“Fifteen minutes, so knock yourself out.” She climbs onto the stool next to me. “You didn’t answer my question. Are you enjoying yourself?” She asks again.

“It’s nice.” I eat the last bite of my cupcake and sip my drink while contemplating getting another one.

“Let me see your scorecard.”

“No!” I hold the card to my chest. “I don’t know, but that should be against the rules.”

Evelyn laughs. “It is, but I’m your friend.”

“Where is Sean?” I look around the busy room for Sean but cannot find him. I haven’t seen him since he came in earlier. “I am going to tell him.”

“Okay, fine!” Evelyn pouts. “Keep it to yourself. For now. I’ll be the one to match you anyway.”

“Shut up.” I slam the empty glass on the counter. “I’m ready to get started again.”

Evelyn laughs. “When the bell is rung, you’ll go back to your seat to meet the second batch of men. Don’t worry, when it’s time, I’ll explain to everyone how it’s going to work.”

“When does this end?” I ask. “Can we—?”

“Oh, there’s Jamie.” Evelyn says, climbing down the stool and moving away from me. “Have fun. See you later.”

I spend the rest of my break looking out for Sean until the bell rings again. I still can’t find him. Evelyn takes the microphone and explains how this second half will go. I walk back to my seat, wanting this to be over. I don’t mind having only Owen as a match; he seems like he’d be fun to get to know, even if it’s not as a boyfriend. Getting back into the dating scene is the goal.

The second bell rings, and the men approach our table again. This time, my guest is a darkly handsome man with dark brown hair. This man is totally my type. Tall, attractive, with a kind smile. I remember Sean and Evelyn’s advice on how smiling can draw people to me. I try to curve my mouth into a smile but I’m not sure it looks convincingly charming.

“Hi.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Jessica.”

“Rick.” The man holds my hand to his lips and gently kisses it, holding my gaze. I look down feeling shy, but enjoying his attention. “How are you, Jessica? Have you been enjoying yourself?”

“I have. How about you?”

“Now I am,” he says smoothly. “I saw you earlier across the room and couldn’t wait to get to you.”

I feel my smile get a bit bigger as I laugh quietly. “That is so sweet, Rick.”

“You are very beautiful, Jessica. Really.”

“Thank you.” I narrow my eyes. “You seem like a sweet, charming guy. What are you doing at an event like this?”

Rick sighs and relaxes against the back of his chair. “Good question. My friends invited me, and I didn’t want to disappoint. Though I’m glad I came, it’s been a fun event. Well-planned.”

I’m still stuck on the “my friends invited me” part.

“Your friends?” I ask. “What are their names?”

“Jamie and Sean.”

Touché.

“Jamie is my brother,” I tell him, chuckling when his eyes widen in shock. “Sean is a close family friend.”

“What?” He laughs. “That’s funny. You and Jamie look nothing alike.”

“Fortunately.” I say sarcastically.

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