Page 13 of Catching Mr. Right

“He’s kind and sweet and loyal. That’s obvious with how he treats you. He has some fairly serious hang ups about you and your fiancés, but that doesn’t stop him from treating them like family. He’s charming.” I list my points off on my fingers. Things I decided long ago that I needed in a man to take a risk on falling in love. Otherwise how would I know if a guy was worth my time, or whether a particular scenario was doomed to failure? “He’s witty. I got to see that side of him when he came to see you last time. And he’s capable. He’s running one of the swankiest eateries in L.A, so he clearly has his head on straight and the ability to look after himself. He’s a great guy, Summer. Plus you both look like good genetics run in your family, which is important.”

“Okay, he’s a great guy.” She smiles. “My brother probably is a catch.”

“I’m sure he is.” I lift my glass. “And I’m sure he could be a great boyfriend for the right girl. That’s me of course.”

“Look, I think you could be good for him. You’d definitely help him loosen up, but—”

“Sam and I would be good together.” I lift my glass. “You think I’m right.”

“I think you’re crazy.” She chuckles.

“Maybe. But that’s not the point. I know what I want and that’s Sam.” It’s not Casper Freaking Morgan who kisses like a demi god, probably a stormy one related to Neptune, but spends the rest of his time yelling at me. “It’s just he doesn’t want me. He thinks I’m too young and immature.”

“If it helps I don’t think his reasoning is based on you,” she says. “Sam’s become a little obsessed about his age these last few years. I don’t know. Maybe our mother’s constant haranguing about being healthy has him feeling his own mortality more than he should be.”

“You’re saying he might come around?”

“Possibly.” She folds one corner of the linen napkin on the table and rubs her fingers along the crease again and again. “Or maybe not. Sometimes things aren’t meant to work out the way we plan.”

“Well, of course that’s fine for you.” I drain my glass and refill it. Better remember not to drink this one so fast. “Your plan goes out the window and you end up in the middle of a beef and hot sauce sandwich. I can’t even get one man to look at me, let alone two.”

“That wasn’t the point and you know it.” Summer shakes her head as though she can’t understand how we’re friends. “Look at yourself. You’re beautiful, and fun, and you’re always exactly the person you want to be. Anyone who can’t see how awesome you are is an idiot.”

“Did you just call your brother an idiot?” I giggle. I’m pretty sure the wine is going straight to my head.

She purses her lips, her eyes full of humor. “Maybe.”

I smile. Some days I still don’t know how she and I ended up being friends. Although I’m pretty sure I showed up in her classroom with the cupcakes Dylan had dropped off for her one day and then kept coming around until she realized she was stuck with me. I’m just glad we are friends.

Perhaps I should use the same technique on Sam. Just show up and never leave. “If only it wasn’t my age that gave him the most pause. I could work on almost anything else.”

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