Page 34 of Just for the Plot
Tell me about it. Ryland is not only extremely hot in that father figure, scruffy way that makes your knees shake, but he’s a good uncle/dad to his niece and he’s phenomenal in bed, from what I’ve been told. And I know Gabby’s telling the truth from the way she lusts after the man.
“I want to find that. How do I find that?”
“Are you really serious? Because you’ve sort of…how do I say this nicely?”
“Watch it,” I warn playfully.
“Well, you’ve flounced around, you know? Never really serious with anyone.”
“I know, but this is a new chapter. Maybe things are different?”
“Maybe?” she asks.
I shrug even though the thought of having a relationship actually feels kind of right at this moment in my life. “Keeping my options open.”
“Okay, well, maybe you’re trying too hard? Maybe you need to just…let it happen. That’s how it went with Ryland. I wasn’t looking for it and then—”
“I encouraged you to have a one-night stand with him and the rest is history.”
“Yes…” she drags out. “But I still wasn’t expecting it and it happened. So maybe just leave it to fate.”
“I did ask Bennett if any of his guy friends were available, mainly Nolan Hart, but apparently not.”
“Yeah, you don’t want to date a baseball player.”
“Why not?” I ask. “They’re hot, fit, and probably have enough adrenaline after a game to go all night. Sounds like the perfect human to consume the love I have to give.”
“That’s when they’re around. I know Bennett’s schedule and he’s gone a lot during the season, and it’s an exceptionally long season. We’re talking six to seven months out of the year.”
“Ooof, really? That is long.”
“And you’re needy.”
“I’m very needy.”
“Uh, miss, where would you like the Fabergé egg collection?” one of the unpackers asks me.
“In the built-in hutches in the living room. Also, you break it, you buy it, and unless you plan on taking out a mortgage, I’d take great care of those.”
“Yes, miss,” the guy says before carefully walking them over to the hutches and gently setting them down.
Turning back to my conversation with Gabby, I say, “I’m going to assume any guy in sports is going to be like that.”
“Mostly, besides football. They’re home most of the time. I onlybelieve they’re gone for one or two days a week if they have an away game.”
“Really?” I say, interested in that prospect. “You know, Bennett might be able to help me out with that.”
“As if he’s not helping you out enough.”
“Hey, when he gets back into town, I planned on doing something nice for him.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“Not quite clear on the direction I want to take, but I’ll come up with something.”
“Is he…is he doing okay?”
“I think so. I would tell you if he wasn’t. You don’t have to keep asking.”
