Chapter 17
Lizzy
“Something’s different with you today,” Betty comments in a speculative tone.
“She’s smiling more,” Tom confirms from next to her.
I lift my fingers gingerly to my mouth and find my lips upturned.
As they have been all day. Because a certain running neighbor has infiltrated my mind.
But they don’t need to know that. At least, not yet.
After the situation with the last man they met, I should probably wait a little longer before bringing up another man.
“I always smile,” I deflect.
“Not this much.” Tom narrows his eyes at me, trying to see through my lie.
“Has something happened? Was it your date with that boy last night? What was his name? Kurt?” Betty’s questions remind me I mentioned to Tom I was going on a date last night. Word travels fast between these two.
“Chris,” I correct.
“Yes, him. Is it him?” Betty presses.
“Is that the boy we had over, darling? Because I didn’t like that one.” Tom’s gruff tone lightens my mood. He’ll always have my back.
“No, dear. That was Garrison, Norris’s degenerate nephew. This is Chris, the electrician. We haven’t met him.” Betty’s correction has Tom raising a brow.
“It’s not Chris who’s making me smile,” I blurt out, trying to set the record straight.
The last thing I need is them thinking of Chris in a positive light.
I cannot believe he came to my house today.
I don’t know what Bash said, but he had Chris high-tailing it out of our neighborhood.
I suspect I won’t be hearing from him again.
“So, you are smiling about someone!” Betty delights.
“If it’s not the guy you went on a date with last night, then who is it? And when’d you have time to meet him?” Tom’s accusation has me rolling my eyes, but he isn’t that off in his comment. Because the timing was very recent. But I’ve known Bash for years if you really think about it.
“His name is Sebastian, and he’s my neighbor.” I don’t need to look in Betty’s direction to know she’s elated. I can practically feel her grin from across the table.
“Well, tell us more about this Sebastian.”
For some reason, her words make me want to tell her everything.
There isn’t really anyone else I can talk to about my love life.
And I want to tell someone about how the neighbor I’ve had a crush on for a while magically appeared and saved my night.
And how he’s consecutively shown up to help again and again since then.
And how grateful he was for the bread I made that it has me dying to make more for him.
“Bash, that’s his nickname, is my neighbor. My date went awry last night when Chris got drunk and wouldn’t take no for an answer, Bash was there to set him straight. Bash brought me home safely and even brought me to get my car this morning. We–”
“Why couldn’t you drive home in your own car?” Tom almost looks affronted at the idea of me going home with a man I don’t really know. Which, I guess, makes sense. It probably wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve ever made, but I trust Bash. There’s something about him that makes me feel safe.
“Because she’s an adult, and she probably had a drink. Very responsible of you to not drive after that.” Betty sends Tom a sharp look that has me biting back a laugh. “What else, sweetie?”
“This afternoon, Bash and I went on a run together. It was…” I trail off remembering the way his arms felt around me. Despite the cool air around us, it was warm and comforting.
“Oh, Lizzy. How wonderful! Tom, look at that blush!” Betty’s excitement is palpable, but Tom just grunts, taking his paternal role over me seriously.
“He’s smart. Like, really smart. And he’s kind and funny.
And nerdy too. He doesn’t think my love of animals and other quirks are weird.
He’s so thoughtful. And when Chris showed up at my house today, Bash got him to leave without an issue.
He was so calm about it.” I can’t hold back my dreamy sigh. “He’s the perfect man for me.”
“I want to meet this boy,” Tom demands at the same time Betty asks, “Is he cute?”
I ignore Tom and turn to Betty. “He’s really handsome with his dark hair and green eyes. And he’s tall and lean. He even wears black-rimmed glasses.” A giggle escapes my lips at that, causing Tom to roll his eyes.
He stands abruptly. “I’m getting the cookies Betty made. Need chocolate to get through this night.”
“Only one for you! The doctor said to watch your sugar intake,” Betty calls after him. Then she turns to me with a grin. “He sounds like a total package. What’s your plan?”
“Plan?”
“You need a plan to get this man. He sounds like a gentleman, and in this day and age, that’s a rarity.”
Betty spends the rest of the evening giving me advice on how to show Bash I’m interested and how to pursue him. Most of the advice is half a century old, but it worked for Betty and her generation, so who am I to question it?
When Tom comes over and confirms Betty’s suggestions, I make up my mind. I want Bash, so I’m going after him. If Bonobo females can court their males, then what’s stopping me?