Billionaire Mountain Man

“They’re going out Saturday night. I’m watching Gina.”

“Kimberly, the yoga instructor? I thought she was seeing what’s-his-face?”

“That’s been over for a while now. She’s single. Noah’s single. They both like fitness. It’s a good match.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Sierra asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m the one who set them up,” I said.

“Yeah, but you do that.”

“Do what?”

“Create excuses for yourself. Remember when you liked that guitar player?”

I cringed, knowing where she was going with this.

“And then you slept with his brother?” Sierra continued. “You created that barrier so you’d never be able to date either of them.”

“That was different.”

“Was it?”

“And I was young and stupid. Isn’t that guy married now? So, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”

“You two could be married by now,” Sierra said. “Not that that matters now. The point is that you always do this with men you like.”

“I don’t have feelings for Noah,” I said, sounding like a broken record.

“Sure you don’t,” she said incredulously.

“Sierra, he’s my boss. I need this job, remember?”

“There’s another set of excuses…” Sierra trailed off.

I had to make her understand my side. “That’s like you being in love with Harold.”

She pretended to gag herself. “No way is that the same thing. Harold is gross and old. Noah is sexy, wealthy, and has a daughter you clearly adore. Tell me you wouldn’t want to be her mommy during the day and his wifey at night?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but the music cut off. Gina didn’t need to be involved or overhear anything Sie

rra and I spoke about her father.

“Again, please!” she said, reaching for the record player.

Sierra walked over and showed Gina how to gently move the needle to the beginning of the song again. Then my best friend came back over to my side.

“How come you never brought all of this up with the other dads?” I asked. Not that I was attracted to them, but we were the same age; why was she pushing for me to have a boyfriend when she loved the single life?

“Because you didn’t get all gushy when you talked about those dads. You’re clearly smitten, and I think this date with Kimberly is not a good idea. What if they start dating and you regret setting them up? And then you get kicked out when they get married.”

“Even if they did get married, none of that would matter as long as Gina is happy.”

“All I’m saying is that you’re a little over concerned when it comes to Noah’s love life. You should take a step back and think about what you want. Your job be damned. If you two get along as well as you say, and you love his daughter, don’t ruin any chances before they come up.”

“I’m doing this for Gina,” I said, weakly. Sierra put strange thoughts into my head about Noah. And my mission to hook him up with Kimberly was a little muddled now. “She needs a mother figure in her life.” Repeating the goal I needed to accomplish helped with keeping that focus in my brain.

“Well, you don’t need to rush anything,” Sierra said. “They have you right now. And that’s more than enough of a mother figure.”