Page 10 of Earl

“You seem animated. What was the conversation about?”

“This and that.”

“Please be reminded that I was the one who insisted on you joining the online dating and I almost had to hog tie you to get you to participate. Now, dish.”

“Okay, fine. We talked about silly things. He made me laugh and I did the same for him. We don’t know anything about each other of course, except the basics and it is kind of exciting that we are not hung up on looks or status or anything like that. The pressure is not there, and I find that I am looking forward to talking to him again.”

“Hmm.”

“Will you stop saying that?”

“You are being defensive. Darling, bear in mind that this man might not be ideal.”

She stared at him incredulously. “Are you serious? You were the one who begged me to try out the app.”

He shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting you to go gaga over the first one. Have you tried any of the others?”

“No!” She glared at him, upset that he was raining on her parade. “Because they were morons. Some could not put a simple sentence together and the rest were sprouting nonsense about looking for ‘forever love’. Who the hell talks like that?”

Justin grinned. “Desperate men. So, this paragon of virtue could actually spell.”

“Yes. It was an easygoing conversation, and I like the tone of it.” She automatically passed him the piece of roll she had broken in two.

“And I should be rejoicing that it was successful.”

“I am being cautious.”

“As you should be.” He sighed softly. “I hate that you have been hurt so much in the past.” Taking her hand, he kissed the back of it. “And I am hoping that you find someone who appreciates your value the way I do. God!” he blew out a breath. “I often think that the man upstairs has a strange sense of humor.”

“Meaning?”

“Here we are, two beautiful people, best friends and romantically incompatible. I don’t know if I will ever love anyone the way I do you, Cat.” His voice had turned wistful. “What we shared together in that home defined us. You are never far away from my thoughts, and I think about you every single time, no matter where I am.”

She linked her fingers through his, and her expression softened. “It’s the same thing for me. You are more than my best friend Justin; you are my only family, and I love you. Having you in my life especially during those long and dreary days made it better for me.”

They stared at each other for several minutes, before he shook his head, dreadlocked coils tumbling around his face. With a self-effacing laugh, he pulled his hand away and picked up his wine. “Enough of that now. Okay, tell me more about this man.”

*****

Eleanor handed him the glass of wine, before sitting across from him. “You look rested.”

“Do I?” He mused, twirling the stem of the glass between his fingers. She had stopped at the office on her way back from a charitable luncheon after asking if he was available.

“I was expecting a call from you.”

“About?”

She sent him an exasperated look that had him chuckling.

“Alright, yes. It went well.”

Her gray eyes widened. “You met someone.”

He nodded, his smile widening. “She is a pretty unusual woman, very blunt and has a rapier wit that I admire.”

His sister gave him a worried look. “Darling, please be careful.”

His thick dark brows lifted.

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