Page 4 of Handy

“Convents are for nuns, genius.”

I roll my eyes. “A manvent then.”

The tortured look on his face breaks and he barks out a laugh. “You’re so dumb,” he mutters, then takes another drink.

I pluck the bottle out of his hands before he finishes and stand back up. I’m all for supporting him in his endeavor to get drunk about his feelings, but I’d rather not end up taking him to the hospital for alcohol poisoning later.

The tequila is already going to my head, making me a little wobbly as I cross the living room towards the back window.Jericho groans behind me as I tug back the corner of the curtain and peek out at Griff grilling on his deck.

Griff.

Griff.

Griff.

It’s such a good name. It fits him. Maybe because it kind of sounds like a growl.

“You need help,” Jericho says from closer than I expected.

I turn my head to find him standing right behind me, craning his neck to peek out the window.

“It’s creepy if we’re both staring at him,” I say primly as I drop the curtain and let it flutter back into place.

“It’s creepy thatyouspend all day staring at him.” He already sounds drunk and much more relaxed than he was when he got here.

“It’s not creepy.” I bristle. “It’s just a crush.”

Jericho raises his eyebrows and gives me a look, calling me on my bullshit without saying a word. Of course, no matter how effective the look alone is, no true bestie can leave it at that.

“You areobsessed,” he says. “All the dude has done is glare and growl at you and you’re licking the window every time you spot him outside.”

“I have a weakness for grumpy bears. Sue me.” I tug the curtains closed a little more, just to make sure Jericho won’t actually spot the nose smudge on the glass.

“Have you considered that ‘Forest Ranger’ might not be the job for you?” he asks dryly, yoinking the Jose Cuervo back out of my hand and taking another drink.

I throw back my head and laugh. “You’re such an ass.”

“Well, get used to it, because something tells me we’re going to be a couple of single guys stuck with each other for life.”

“Yeah, you probably have a point there.” I sprawl out on the couch, and he plops his ass down on the floor. “I fall head overheels for guys who are emotionally unavailable and then I’m all Shocked Pikachu when it turns out they’re actually closed off and terrified of emotional intimacy. I might be tempted to break the cycle if scowly, grumpy bears weren’t so damn hot.”

He snorts at me. “Hate to tell you this, Ledgie, but the reason you like them isbecausethey’re closed off and terrified of emotional intimacy. It’s your trick to never get your heart broken. You pick guys you never stood a chance with from the start.”

I make an indignant sound in my throat and steal the bottle back from him.

“Half a dozen shots of tequila and you turn into my therapist? You are officially cut off.”

“Rude,” he mutters, but doesn’t try to fight it, which means he’s definitely already drunk.

I tuck the bottle between the couch cushions and pull out my phone. The room is spinning, and a pleasant, fuzzy feeling cocoons me. Never stood a chance? That’s just uncalled for.

He’s maybe a little right though.

“You really think I don’t have a chance with Griff?” I ask, rolling onto my side to frown down at him.

“Who the hell is Griff?” He screws up his face in confusion.

“My neighbor.”

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