11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Amy
“I can’t believe I made a bet with him,” I groan into the phone while staring at the light above my bed, which is still off. I slept in, and the sunlight peeking through my blinds is enough to illuminate my room.
Eliza laughs. “Lighten up. You’re going to get some awesome concert tickets out of it. I’m jealous. We always said we’d go see them but never had the chance to. Plus, I’m all for you showing him that love exists.”
“I don’t know if he thinks love doesn’t exist or if he’s just ... I don’t know. I seriously don’t understand him at all.”
“Well... I actually do, to some degree. When Devon and I broke up, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t do it again. Heartbreak is awful . Maybe that’s why Parker’s so hesitant about love... But I think the fact that he shows up to the dating events proves that, deep down, he wants the connection. Who knows, maybe you’ll both find a significant other by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around.”
I ponder the thought. That would really show him—and he’d still have to buy my concert tickets. “Maybe I should try to set him up.”
Eliza chuckles. “I don’t know about all that. Maybe you should just worry about yourself. It drove me crazy when Granny tried to set me up ... even if it worked out in the end.”
“True. I just ... I just really want a date for tonight. I was really hoping to get that first kiss tonight.”
“Then go get one!” Eliza beams. “There’s literally nothing stopping you from finding a date tonight. Hit the coffee shop, go for a walk, talk to a handsome stranger—safely—and you know, go get ’em.”
I smile, pulling the phone away from my ear and putting her on speaker. “Maybe I can find some sort of event to attend before the party. Then, if I meet someone, I’ll just ask them to come with me to the party afterward.”
“... Okay. But you could also try to find someone a little more organically, you know?”
“Yeah, but that’ll take too long,” I reason, my brow furrowing. “I’ve spent nearly thirty years going to coffee shops and the grocery store and have yet to be approached by someone. But if I can find an event for singles, at least I’ll know everyone is there for the same reason. There’s no guesswork. I don’t have time for guesswork. ”
“Well then, you better find something quick.”
“Already did,” I say with pride, pulling up the directions to a lunchtime singles trivia. “I think this will do just fine.”
“Nice. Go get that date! Love you.”
“Love you!” I hang up the phone, feeling somewhat renewed. However, as I get ready, pulling on a nice sweater and mom jeans, I start replaying last night with Kenny.
I chew the inside of my cheek, thinking back to his question about if I’ve been with a New Yorker. I need to be mindful of guys like that. No more creeps.
“So the goal of New Year’s Eve Singles Trivia is to get to know the person you’re paired with,” a woman says over the PA. “You’re going to ask questions about yourself, and the person across from you will try to guess the answers. It’s all in good fun, so don’t be mean, and enjoy the drinks!”
I drum my fingers on the table. No one has even taken a seat across from me. I’m seriously sitting alone—and it’s not like there aren’t enough partners to go around. No, in fact, as I look around the brick establishment that reeks of cherry vape, there are actually tons of people standing around...
And not a single man has moved to sit in the chair across from me .
Don’t give up.
I keep my breath steady as I glance around, seeing other couples already laughing and asking each other the questions on the cards in the center of the table. Ugh.
Maybe I should just give up.
My phone vibrates against the table and my eyes drift downward, expecting a text from my mom, but instead, my brow furrows. Why is Parker texting me? I open the message.
Parker : I’ll be at your apartment tonight at 7:30.
I’m just about to let him know that’s fine when a voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Can I sit here?”
My eyes flicker up to a handsome, dark-headed stranger with bright blue eyes. “Um, sure,” I say, locking the phone screen and putting it away in my purse hanging on the back of my chair. “I was starting to think this was going to be a waste.”
He chuckles. “I know what you mean. I honestly wasn’t going to come at all today, but then...” His voice trails off as he meets my gaze. “I just kind of felt like I should.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks. “I’m glad you did.”
“Me, too.” He flashes his pearly whites at me and then extends his hand across the table. “I’m Josh—Josh Banks. Well, technically I’m Dr. Josh Banks, but that’s silly to be so formal.” He lets out an awkward laugh that makes me feel a little light in the head .
“I’m Amy Gibson, just Amy Gibson.”
“You don’t look like anything that deserves the word just in front of it.” He removes his peacoat, revealing a nice, cream-colored pullover. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to coming to these things,” he adds, reaching for one of the cards.
“I just tell myself to keep coming so that maybe soon I won’t have to,” I say lightly, just as the waitress comes to our table.
“Would you two like anything to drink?”
“I’ll have water, please,” I say.
“Same.” Josh smiles, meeting my gaze. “I don’t feel like drinking at noon.”
“Me neither. It’s a little too early in the day. I like to try to at least make it to happy hour.”
He bursts into hearty laughter. “Me, too. So...” He flips the card. “Your question is ... What is my favorite color?”
“Hmm...” I purse my lips, taking him in. He is incredibly handsome, with a square-set jaw, shadowed with just enough stubble to be considered sexy. And it’s clear he works out. “I don’t know.” I take in his casual, yet classy attire. “I feel like your favorite color is probably earthy—maybe green?”
“Wow.” His eyes widen. “You nailed it. I love green—particularly earthy shades. I’m not a huge fan of lime green or neon.”
“I get that. I guess it’s my turn now.” I grab one of the cards and read the question. “Okay, so... If I could be any animal, what would I be?”
“What a question...” He chuckles. “Um, you look pretty sophisticated, and the dark hair with the bright blue eyes is absolutely stunning ... so you’d have to be one of those really breathtaking animals.”
My face is surely bright red by now. “Okay, you’re way too flattering.”
“Just being honest.” He shrugs. “But let’s see ... A horse? That’s a strong, graceful animal. I could see that.”
“I was going to say a dog, but I think that sounds a lot better.” I giggle and reach for the water that the waitress sets in front of me, taking a sip as Josh picks up another card.
“Oh boy, what do you think I do for a living?”
“Well, I know you’re a doctor,” I begin, setting down my glass. “And so, I’m going to go based on that... Maybe a Doctor of Medicine... So, I don’t know... Surgeon?”
He laughs. “If only. I work for my family’s practice as a pediatrician. I don’t think I could handle doing surgeries. It was never my thing. I love kids, though.”
Oh my gosh. He might seriously be perfect.
“That’s amazing.”
“What do you do, Amy?” he asks, his eyes focused intently on my face. “You’re clearly an intelligent and classy woman.”
“I’m a marketing executive,” I answer proudly. “I just moved here from Chicago. It’s been a big change—and the job is what brought me here.”
“That makes sense.” He nods. “So you know how to sell things. ”
“Something like that.” I reach for another card. “Okay, let’s see what this one says...” My heart flips. “Do you think I’d be a good kisser?”
His brows raise. “Now that is a weird question. Almost makes me think we’re supposed to try it,” he adds with a chuckle. “But yeah, I bet you’re a good kisser.”
I freeze up, not sure what to say. I don’t want to admit that I haven’t actually kissed someone. “I guess that’s kind of a hard one for me to answer about myself.”
“Ah, you’re modest. I like that.”
“Thank you.” I smile before gesturing to the card pile and then rubbing my hands together. “Your turn.”
“Ah, yes.” He rubs his hands together. “Oh, what do you think my longest relationship was?”
“Um... two years?” I guess, having no idea how to tell just by looking at a person.
“Close. I dated my high school sweetheart for nearly five years before we broke up in college. After that, I never really dated anyone seriously. I was busy with work and all that. Plus, I found myself enjoying keeping things casual with women. I don’t see a need for anything serious right now. I’m only thirty-three.”
I swallow, but don’t let his comment get me down. Besides, love can change a guy’s mind, right? “I see ... so, you’re not wanting to settle down anytime soon? ”
He shrugs. “Probably not right now. I like to play the field. There’s nothing wrong with dating around. It keeps relationships exciting.”
I nod, not sure what else to do. I don’t think I agree—but what do I know about relationships, anyway? I haven’t ever been in one.
“Anyway.” He reaches for a card and hands it to me. “Your turn.”
“What do you think my highest level of education is?” I ask, meeting his gaze. He holds it for a few moments, making my head feel light.
“Master’s?”
“No, just bachelor’s. I thought about getting my master’s but never got around to it. I landed a really great job out of college and then worked my way to the top.”
“Ah, I see...” His eyes divert to the card deck. “Well, you gotta set yourself out from the crowd. Finding someone with a bachelor’s degree these days is way too easy. I believe the minimum education someone should have is most definitely a master’s. To have anything less than that is just not educated enough—not in today’s society.”
I swallow hard. Yikes. He’d probably think my whole family is stupid, then, considering I’m the first one to even have a degree.
“I see ... well, I’ve considered going back to school for it quite a few times, so I guess maybe this is my sign to take that seriously.”
“That’s a great thought,” he says, smiling. “Always good to see a woman willing to admit her shortcomings.”
Ouch .
But I laugh it off, still taken by the way he looks at me so intently. “Yeah, anyway, what are you doing after this?”
His eyes brighten. “I don’t know. What are you doing after this?”
“I have a rooftop New Year’s Eve party to go to. You’re more than welcome to come along with me.”
Josh smiles. “Will there be a bunch of uneducated folks there?”
“No, mostly software engineers, business owners—those kinds of people,” I say, keeping a smile on my face. There’s nothing wrong with Josh wanting to be around people who are academic... right? He’s just challenging himself.
“Well then, count me in.”
“It’s actually just a few blocks from here. I can meet you back here at 7:30 and then we can walk together. I’m not really comfortable giving my address out.” I think back to Parker’s advice—or, well, his comment about not telling people where he lives.
“Perfect. I’ll meet you here tonight.”
I nod.
I just hope he shows.