Page 18 of Mr. Big Mistake
“And I’m glad you brought that up because I really want to talk about that.”
“Girl, I knew you would. What’s up?”
I sighed. “Does Clint always get that drunk?”
I heard rustling on the other end of her phone before Roxy came back to the receiver.
“Sorry. Crossing the street. What was that?”
I groaned. “Never mind.”
“I’m just kidding. Damn. Kelly, I’m really sorry about Clint’s demeanor the last night. I don’t know his history or anything like that, but I promise you that’s not who he is.”
“How can you promise me that? Do you know him well or something?”
She paused. “I mean, no. But, I know Brenden and Zane always speak very highly of him. He’s just getting out of the Navy, so he’s got standards.”
“Because he was a military man, he’s got standards?”
“Don’t they all?”
I shrugged. “The last man I went on a date with was ex-military, and he had his shoes on the wrong feet.”
“Yikes.”
“Yep.”
“Look, I’m not letting last night deter us from the plan. We’re getting you laid. You have my word.”
I shook my head. “Roxy, it’s really not that big of a--.”
“It’s a very big deal, Kelly. This is holding you back in your dating life.”
“No, I’m holding to my own standard. It’s the men I’m dating that see it as a requirement.”
“Yeah. And that isn’t going to change. You aren’t in high school anymore. Men want to be emotionally and physically close to their women. You aren’t going to find a man in Vegas that wants to date you but is totally okay with never having sex, ever.”
I scoffed. “When in the world did I say--?”
“You get my point. Look, Kelly. I love you. I want what’s best for you. And right now, you’re not living life at your best.”
“Says who?”
“Says you, every time you come home from a date crying because you don’t know why things fell through. Or you don’t know why you got stood up, or you don’t know why guys always ‘expect something’ when they invite you back to their place for a nightcap.”
I sighed. “Okay, okay. I get your point.”
“I love you. And if Clint isn’t who you want to lose your virginity to, then we’ll find you, someone. But Clint is a good man. You know I’ve always been a great judge of character, and I know--deep in my soul--that he’s good. He’ll treat you with care, and he’ll be gentle. I know it.”
“You’ve always been good at reading people.”
“He just had a bit too much to drink. That’s all. He’s home, he’s got a new job with his brothers, and he was probably celebrating more than anything. We’ll make this happen. All right?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Sounds good, yeah.”
“Great. Wonderful. Okay, I’m heading into the elevator now. I’m dropping this stuff off and heading right back out, though.”
“Wait, what? Why?”
