I know he’s not going to let this go until I give him something, but at the same time, I’ve never spoken about what happened in college. Just thinking about it has me feeling all types of shit I don’t want to deal with.
“I’m not the same person I was back then.” My words make me think of Giselle’s quote, and it has me wondering if maybe she is the way she is because of something that’s happened in her past. “I’m a professional athlete, Dylan. Every woman I meet I wonder if she’s with me for my money or because I’m in the NFL. I’ve met women who’ve straight up told me they just want to fuck me.” I lower my voice to make sure Julia can’t hear me. “The truth is I don’t know how to meet a nice woman that I’m one hundred percent sure doesn’t have a hidden agenda.”
I shrug and take a bite of my food. Once I swallow and take a sip of my water, I add, “I guess I just sort of gave up.”
“Well, you aren’t going to find a nice woman with no agenda through an escort service.” Dylan quirks a brow up. “I get it, I do. I work with dozens of guys in the same situation as you. I write up their prenups, and then soon after, I help file their divorce papers.” He frowns. “But you can’t give up, Kill. You’re thirty-one years old and you’ve never even had a serious girlfriend that I know of.”
“I agree, Killian,” Christina says. “What about letting me set you up with a friend of mine?” Christina, at one time, was an international supermodel who retired when she got pregnant, wanting to be home with her family. “I think the key is to find someone who is in a similar situation as yours, with her own money, but is also a good person.”
I laugh. “Good luck with that.”
“Is that a yes?” Christina beams with hope.
“Sure, why not?” I take another bite of my food.
“Yes! You boys do the dishes. I need to start scrolling through my friends list.”
Five
Giselle
“I’ll take the BLT Club sandwich with sweet potato fries and a side of fruit. Thank you.” Olivia smiles at the server, who writes everything down before he looks at me.
“And for you, ma’am?”
“Just a house salad, please. Ranch on the side.” The waiter nods and thanks us, then leaves to another table.
“That’s it?” Olivia’s brows furrow. “You’re not on a diet, are you? You look amazing.” She hands Reed, who is sitting in his high chair, a toy to play with.
“I’m not that hungry.” The truth is I know I’ll be going on a date tonight, which means I won’t have to pay for whatever we eat while we’re out, so I’d rather wait until then to eat. Every dollar counts right now, and since I’m not about to let my best friend pay for my meal, I need to be careful.
“How’s the charity event coming?” I ask, changing the subject. Olivia and Nick have decided to take Nick’s current charity organization, Touchdown for Reading, and expand it to Touchdown for Reading and the Arts, since Olivia’s passion is art. She even works part-time at a children’s museum as their Art Education Coordinator.
“So good!” she gushes. “Almost everyone who was invited has RSVP’d, and those who said they can’t make it, have made generous donations that will go a long way with all of our plans. You’re coming, right?”
“Yeah.” I nod as I try to think of a way to get out of it. “Just send me an invite to my email and I’ll add it to my calendar.”
“Why did you frown?” Olivia asks, handing Reed his sippy cup and some Goldfish. Only my best friend can be taking care of her one-year-old son and notice my hidden emotions. She’s like Superwoman.
“I didn’t,” I deny.
“Yes, you did,” she pushes, and I sigh in defeat.
“Look Livi, you know I support everything you do, but the entire purpose of this charity event is to get donations, right?”
“Right…and to announce the expansion.”
“Tell me someone who couldn’t make it.”
“Umm…Nathan Fillion. He’s a huge New York Brewers fan.”
“The guy from Castle?” I’m almost positive my jaw hits the table. This is even worse than I thought.
“Yeah, he actually has a non-profit organization which provides books to children who can’t afford them.”
“And how much did he donate because he can’t make it?”
“Fifty thousand,” she says nonchalantly, like fifty thousand dollars is no big deal. She grabs a bib from Reed’s diaper bag and places it around his neck.
“Livi, how much does everyone have to pay per plate?”
“Ten thousand.” She pops open the top of Reed’s baby food then freezes, looking up at me. “Wait a second. Is that why you’re upset? You think I’m going to expect you to pay that? You’re my best friend, Giselle!” She frowns in confusion. “I know you don’t have that kind of money.”