Page 83 of Delay of Game
“Seriously.” Lily reached across the table, gripping my wrist. “I need to meet this man.”
I fought back a laugh. “You need to?”
“I need to. Unless he has a girlfriend.” She sucked in a breath. “Please tell me he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“He does not have a girlfriend,” I reassured her as I pulled my wrist away. “He just moved here to play for the Breakers.”
“So, he’s young?” Her face fell slightly.
“Twenty-two or three. Not that young. And fun. He’s sort of a goof.”
She eyed me. “Does that mean you’re into him?”
“Me? Absolutely not. Not even a little. Besides, he would never.”
“Of course he would. You’re gorgeous and have an amazing…” She nodded at my chest, and reflexively, I pulled my cardigan closed with a blushed.
“He wouldn’t. Ever. He’s convinced that Rob will lose his mind if we ever did anything.”
“And would he?” A grin spread over her lips, eyes dancing. “Lose his mind if you got together with his teammate?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea, but Ethan thinks so and made it clear that we were strictly friends. And that feeling is very mutual.”
“Invite him out.”
I frowned. “What?”
“We have trivia tonight. Ask if he wants to join us. If he’s not doing important football things.”
“I’m not sure we’re that kind of friends,” I hedged.
How the hell did people make new friends? I certainly didn’t know. Rob and Ethan fell into my lap. Lily worked with me. I didn’t know how to foster those friendships. I certainly didn’t know when to invite people out.
“He worked on your house. Offer to buy him a beer. And maybe he can help with the sports trivia. We always suck at that.”
I pulled out my phone, but didn’t go straight to my texts. “You don’t think it’s weird to invite him out?”
“He’s new in town. He’ll be thrilled. Tell him you have a super hot friend you’d like him to meet.” She egged me on with a smile. “Please. I need this.”
With a frown, I pulled up Ethan’s number. “I’ll invite him to trivia. If you want to flirt with him, though, that’s on you. I’m not getting involved.”
“Don’t worry about me, Gracie,” she taunted. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of him myself. Although, I’ll wait to hit on him until after I’ve gotten the whole scoop on Rob.”
Behind her, Ms. Kawalski’s kindergarten class stood up to return to class.
“There’s no scoop on Rob,” I said as I punched in a text to Ethan.
Interested in meeting some people and playing trivia? I’ll buy you a drink.
I sent the message before I could second guess myself. For a moment, I considered texting Rob, too. I tried to imagine him at a table with my co-workers. Having a drink in a bar. Playing trivia and getting most of the answers wrong. Walking me back to my house.
I shook my head as the daydream turned into a date that would never happen. Besides, Rob hated trivia.
“Alright, friends,” I called to the table of kindergarteners. “Time to clean up!”
I wrung my sweaty palms, wiping them on my pant legs as the bartender turned back in my direction.
“An ale and a yerba mate.” I checked the door again, waiting for Ethan to appear.
