And besides, last I heard, he was still engaged. He might even be married now.
“So, uh… what’s new? How’s… what’s her name, Stephanie?”
A strange look passes over Dex’s face. I could swear he’s blushing, too. “Oh, we, uh… things didn’t work out between us.”
“Oh wow, I’m sorry. I thought you were going to say you were married with like three kids.”
He smiles, and I detect a hint of sadness. “Well, let’s say I dodged a bullet.”
I get the sense he doesn’t want to talk about it, so I don’t press any further.
“How about you, Marg?” He quirks a brow. “With your beauty and brains, and your deranged sense of humor, I’m sure you have a line of guys waiting for you around the block.”
I groan. “Oh my god, the dating scene is so bad in this city. I have a million horror stories that I could share with you, but you’d have to have all night. I won’t bore you.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Fair enough.”
The rest of the evening goes well. We pay up at the Irish bar and head to another place with live music.
We dance, which feels really good. It’s not something I normally do, but the live music and the few drinks we’ve had have got me feeling a little loose. The bass is heavy, and I’m enjoying the way it’s vibrating through my body. It’s a release after the hell week I’ve had at work.
At one point, Dex pulls me close, and I find myself melting into him.
The music slows and I glance up at him, and there’s a spark between us, more intense than anything I’ve felt before.
I tilt my head up, and I think he’s going to kiss me.
But right as our lips are about to touch, he pulls away. “I—I should get going,” he says. “I’m still jet lagged, and I have a meeting first thing in the morning.”
Oh god. I’ve read the signs completely wrong. “Dex, wait, I?—”
“Sorry, Marg. I’ve got to go,” he frowns. “Get yourself an Uber and get home safe, okay? It’s late.”
And the six-foot-four godlike man takes off into the crowd, weaving his way through the array of dancers and out the door. Vanished from my life just as quickly as he re-entered it.
Ugh. If only men like him existed around here.
And if only Dex wasn’t my brother’s best friend.
1
NOTHING TO STOP HER
The Past
Friend: I’m so glad you broke up with your boyfriend. He reminded me of the Cookie Monster.
Me: He did? Because he had blue hair?
Friend: That probably helped. But it was his entire personality. Just like the Cookie Monster.
Or maybe Beavis and Butthead, but I’m not sure which is which.
Me: You didn’t say anything for the last 3 and a half years, but you’re telling me this now?
This is important information.
Friend: Well, I knew you wouldn’t have listened.