Page 32 of Anyone But Her

"See if Cal can fix you up with someone. At least it'd get you out of the house."

"Cal's not going to set me up with anyone. He doesn't think any guy is good enough. You know how protective he is."

"And yet he can date whoever he wants."

"I know, right? Total double standard."

"So what's he doing tonight? Going out with that Mara chick?"

"No, he broke up with her. I can't believe you remember her name. I don't even remember telling you about her."

"I have a good memory. Anyway, is he going out with some other girl tonight?"

"No. His friend, Luke, just got into town and they're going out."

"You should go with them."

"Tag along with my brother and his friend? Yeah, I don't think so."

"Is Luke the guy who showed up at parents' weekend?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"How long will he be in town?"

"I think he's here all week."

"All week?" She laughs. "This should be interesting."

"What do you mean?"

"You have a crush on that guy. Big time."

"I do not!"

"Oh, please. After parents' weekend he was all you could talk about."

"That is such a lie! I hardly even mentioned him!"

"Are you kidding? Every time we talked it was Luke this, Luke that. I even teased you about it. You denied it, just like you're doing now, but it was obvious you liked him, and obviously still do."

"Just because I talked about him doesn't mean I like him. He's Cal's friend. I wouldn't date Cal's friend. Even if I actually did like Luke, he's off limits."

"Why? Because Cal would get mad? Who cares if he gets mad? He's your brother. You two fight all the time anyway."

"This is different. Cal wouldn't speak to me if I dated Luke. And he'd never forgive Luke. Their friendship would be over."

"You're being overdramatic. If you went out with Luke, Cal would be mad but he'd get over it, especially if Luke made you happy. I know you and Cal don't always get along but Cal really does want you to be happy. He loves his baby sister."

"And I love my big brother which is why I wouldn't date his friend. I don't want to cause problems between him and Luke."

"That doesn't mean you can't hang out with them this week. Wasn't Luke supposed to help you with your golf game?"

"Yeah, and I'm supposed to help him, but honestly, he's a way better golfer than me. He doesn't need my help."

"Taylor, he was asking you out. It isn't about the golf."

"He wasn't asking me out. It was just one of those things people say, like when you run into someone you haven't seen forever and say you'll get together for lunch sometime but you both know it'll never happen. It's the same with Luke and me. Neither one of us actually meant what we said. We were just making small talk while we waited for Cal and my dad to get back."

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