Grant makes a face and runs a hand through his short, dark hair. “Okay, so our track record isn’t great, but this is Ellie’s sister. Trust me, she’s a normal, good-looking chick.”
“Then why wasn’t this sister at the top of the list? If she’s so perfect for me, you would’ve set us up earlier,” I point out, not convinced.
“She was in a relationship.” He shrugs. “Long story, but trust me, dude. This chick is hot. Long dark hair, stunning blue eyes, and a body . . .” He lets out a low whistle.
“And how would your wife feel about you talking about her sister like that?” I chuckle.
“Hey, if she can go on about how hot Matthew McConaughey is, then I’m allowed to look too,” he protests.
I laugh and shake my head. Somehow, I doubt Ellie would agree with that one.
I’ve known Grant since college. We lost contact when I moved across the country for work, but now that I’m back, our friendship has picked up where it left off. Ellie is a great chick and we get along well. I’m glad he found someone to spend his life with. I thought I’d found that, too, until she ran off with her best friend. Nothing kicks you in the balls harder than your fiancé leaving you for another chick. You’d think it would be better than her leaving you for a guy, but trust me—it’s not. It came out of nowhere. One day we were planning our wedding, and the next she was breaking it off.
It’s completely irrational, but the thought that crossed my mind on more than one occasion was Am I that bad at being a dude that I’ve turned you off men forever?
After Jules left, I went through many women—almost as if I was trying to prove to myself that I could adequately satisfy a member of the female sex. I tired of that pretty quickly when I realized that the only thing I wanted was what I’d lost. I wanted someone I could joke around with, someone who would make me laugh. I wanted a best friend who I could fuck senseless and then lay in bed for hours with.
I want someone who occupies my every thought, who I can’t imagine living without. I want what Grant and Ellie have. I’ll never admit this out loud, but I’m a sucker for love and romance.
God, can I sound any more pathetic?
“So, are you in?” Grant asks, breaking through my thoughts.
“Fine,” I sigh. “At the very least, your setups are entertaining icebreakers for when I do meet someone.”
“That’s the spirit,” he cheers, slapping me on the back. “Now how about another beer?”
I nod as he gets up and walks over to the fridge. Standing up, I look around. If this is her sister, there has to be a photo of her somewhere around here, right?
I walk over to the bookcase and study the frames. There are loads of Grant, Ellie, and their four-year-old daughter, Cassie, but not much else. Up at the top, I spy a photo of Ellie with her arms wrapped around another woman. They both smile into the camera. I reach up, holding it in my hands so I can examine it.
“This her?” I ask.
Grant cranes his neck to see the photo and nods.
Wow. For once he’s right. She’s stunning, with long dark hair that falls over her shoulders, and striking blue eyes that I can’t drag gaze away from. She and Ellie look nothing alike, other than the fact that they share the same crooked smile, and dimples. I put the photo back, suddenly feeling a whole lot more positive about this date. Surely they have to get it right eventually.
Grant hands me a beer. We walk outside and sit on the deck, basking in the last of the sun. I yawn, stretching my arms out behind me, somehow managing not to spill my beer. It’s six in the evening on a Friday night, and I’m glad it’s the weekend so I can catch up on some sleep.
“How’s the job going? Settled in yet?” he asks.
I shrug. “Apart from a few people who are less than happy I’m there, it’s great.”
“Good. It’s a great place—most of the people are good value.” He pauses to take a mouthful of beer. “Speaking of which, me and a few of the guys are going to have a few drinks and play some pool tonight, if you’re interested.”
“Sure,” I agree, abandoning my plans of an early night. “Sounds great.”
The week has been long, and while I love my job, I’m glad it’s the weekend. Grant is really the only person I know in the area, so I’m grateful he includes me in everything. I’m by no means a shy person, but meeting new people at age twenty-eight is hard.
Everything at my age requires effort, because not many people are open to meeting new friends. At work, I’m the boss, so until I break down that barrier of principle and teacher, there’ll always be that power shift that makes friendships harder.
Maybe a few nights out with Grant and his friends is just what I need.
***
Lance barks as I pull inside the garage. He always gets impatient when I’ve been out all day. As soon as I step inside, I’m covered in eighty pounds of dog. Laughing, I grab his leash and we head out for a walk.
We make our way down to the park, Lance tugging me along impatiently. I’ve been away from Chicago for six years, but I love that it still feels so familiar. The neighborhood I’m in is where my grandparents used to live, and it’s still the same. The houses are all well-kept, with nicely cared for gardens. It’s the perfect place to bring up a family.