Page 25 of Finding My Charming

“I wasn’t focused on any of the guys that night. I was saying good-bye to a lot of people and trying to find you most of the time.”

“Well, let’s get started going through photos, and hopefully someone will jump out.” She studied the list for a moment longer. “We were together before the party and as people started arriving, and I didn’t see you talk to anyone new.”

I nodded, agreeing with her thought process.

“The first person you have written down is Hat Guy, number one. Where did you see him? Did you talk to him?”

I thought back to the tall, lengthy guy who’d bumped into me on his way to his friends. We’d locked eyes for a second, and he’d said sorry but left right after. I doubted that was him.

“Don’t cross off anyone yet.”

I shot Ari a look. Could she read my mind?

“What? I know you. If there weren’t fireworks going off the second you laid eyes on him, you’re going to discount him. That might not be how it works, Elle.”

I let out a frustrated breath. “Fine, but I really don’t think it was him.”

She put a minus sign next to the code name but didn’t cross it off completely. “We’ll use a system. A minus for the less likely, a check for a maybe, and a star for someone you want to find in the pictures.”

I eyed the list, feeling skeptical, but didn’t have any other ideas yet, so I nodded.

“Next is Tall Brunette. Do you remember where you saw him?”

“Right after the hat guy. I was walking to the kitchen, and he was leaning against the wall talking to some other guy. When we made eye contact, he said maybe two words to me, and went back to his friend.”

“Minus, check, or star?”

I thought for a minute. He was really cute, and he’d took the time to smile and say something to me. Those were good signs. “Star.”

Ari smiled and drew it next to the name. “Great, next is Gray Eyes. I like the sound of that.” She winked and waited for me to tell her what to do.

Oh yeah! Gray Eyes got his name because I didn’t think that really existed outside of romance novels. I mean, really. Gray was not an eye color option at the DMV; it was a fancy way of saying blue or hazel. Well, I thought that until I saw Mr. Gray Eyes in person. He had been standing in the kitchen with some other guys I didn’t recognize. I’d noticed right away how good-looking he was, then I’d been shocked when I saw his beautiful eyes, mesmerized until he offered to get me a drink. Maybe it is him. I definitely wouldn’t complain.

“Definitely a star.”

Ari giggled and drew an extra one next to his name and looked back up at me. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Talking about boys, getting that dreamy look in your eyes. This is the first time I’ve heard you say anything about a guy besides ‘He’s okay’ or criticizing the way he drives. I like seeing this side of you.”

“Just because I didn’t waste my time flirting with guys doesn’t mean I wasn’t looking.”

“You might have been looking, but you’ve never — ever — even had a crush. Admit it!”

I shot her a challenging glare. “Brandon Fitz.”

“That was in seventh grade!” She threw a pillow at my face, but I ducked. “Name one guy you’ve been interested in during high school.”

I thought for a second, but we obviously both already knew the answer. Why would I have wasted time and energy dating when I knew I hadn’t met a guy worth the long haul?

“Um…”

“Exactly. It’s just weird watching you change from the girl whose heart belongs to her books and who spends her free time studying rather than hanging out like everyone else.”

“I never had a reason to.” My hand instinctively reached for my charm.

Ari’s eyes followed my movement, and she nodded. “I get it. Trust me. You’re the luckiest girl in the world! You don’t have to kiss a million frogs to find your prince. You have something every person in the world wishes for.”