Page 55 of The Baby Bargain
That's less obvious.
"What's your number one priority?" I study the first profile. A college student. He's younger than her. A soccer player who's studying chemistry. Who loves nerdy girls with thick glasses.
"I want to have a connection." She wraps her lips around her cup. "Is that stupid?"
"Does it matter to you?"
She nods.
"Then it's not stupid."
She takes a long sip. Swallows hard. "It… um… do you have anything sweet?"
"Sweet?"
"Dessert?"
"Oh." I can't help but chuckle. "I'm not big on sweets."
"Can I look?"
"Go for it." I motion to the kitchen.
She moves there. Pores over the fridge, freezer, counters. Settles on a basket of strawberries.
I try to judge bachelor number two—another athlete.
He's tall. Blond. Fun loving. His message is practically an essay about his interest in hiking, surfing, traveling.
Number three has a similar look. But with more tattoos and black clothes. He's some kind of musician. One who either makes a good living or pulls from a big trust fund. Expensive haircut. Designer jeans. Black nail polish.
The kind of guy Grace is dating.
Last I heard.
It's not that I'm jealous. More that I'm acutely aware of how we compare.
Most guys do the same thing. Most people do the same thing. We judge our ex's new partners to see how we stack up.
Yeah, I'm taller. I'm better looking. My tattoos are a hell of a lot nicer.
He makes more money. Knows more about the world. Has a better education.
Those aren't the things that matter though.
Does he make her come so hard she wakes the neighbors?
Does she dissolve between his arms?
Does she love him in a way she's never loved anyone?
Does he—
"You're just like Forest." Ariel's laugh is soft. "Eighty-five percent or bust."
"Less than that and it's barely chocolate."
She sets a bowl of strawberries on the table. Sits. Unwraps the chocolate, breaks it in half, hands a chunk to me.
