Page 24 of Pretty Relentless

“No one special. Huh. We’ll have to find you a partner.”

I glance at Ellie, who looks a little embarrassed. “Partner? For what?”

“Euchre,” Ellie replies.

“But I don’t—”

“Gavin’s here!” Hallie bellows, throwing her arms up in celebration.

And that’s when it hits me.

I’m being set up.

Everyone welcomes Gavin to the party, and even though I try to look away, my eyes completely betray me. They drink in his dark jeans and black Henley shirt that hugs every muscle he has like he’s a glass of water on a hot summer day. His jaw is scruffy, and when he laughs at something Gabe says, his entire face lights up in a way that makes my heartbeat quicken.

My word, this man is simply gorgeous.

Then, his gaze swings toward me, and the grin he once had spreads into a full-watt smile. Not only does my heart feel like it’s going to burst from my chest, but it’s hard to draw a simple breath into my lungs. Like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to him in a way I’ve never experienced before. There’s this wild attraction I’ve never felt. It grabs hold, refusing to let go, and the more I fight it, the tighter the pull.

I clear my throat and look away, trying to get my bearings. I’m certain everyone here just watched me practically drool over one of my student’s dad. My gaze returns to Hallie, who’s wearing a smug smile on her face, clearly having orchestrated this little setup behind my back.

Looking to Ellie, I whisper, “I smell a rat.”

She holds up her hands in surrender. “I had nothing to do with this.”

My narrowed eyes return to the guilty party sitting at the island. She flashes me a wide grin, one that speaks of her guilt and the fact she doesn’t care. “I don’t even know how to play Euchre.”

Hallie waves off my comment. “It’s, like, the easiest game to learn.”

“What?” Ellie bellows with a laugh. “It’s so hard!”

“That’s what she said!” Blair quips as she rejoins our group.

“Don’t think I don’t see what you’re all doing,” I mutter, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me. No way are my friends using a New Year’s Eve gathering to set me up.

“We’re not doing anything,” Hallie insists. “We’re not actually playing Euchre, so no partners, but if you just so happen to fall in love with Gavin anyway, then remember who had a hand in bringing you two together.”

I groan and shake my head. “You three are terrible.”

“Hey, this was all their idea,” Ellie states, reaching for the chips and dip.

“Traitor,” Hallie grumbles.

“Listen, we’re not trying to make you uncomfortable or anything,” Blair insists, reaching out and taking my hand. “We just noticed Gavin might have a little crush on you, and since, well, all three us of have found our happily ever after, we just want the same for you. We’ve not said anything to Gavin or would never push you to do something you don’t really want, so if you’re not interested in him, we completely understand and will back off immediately.”

I open my mouth to say just that, to confirm I’m not interested in him, but nothing comes out. The words just seem to die on my tongue, which might actually be worse than developing a little crush on one of my student’s father. The fact I can’t even deny it sends me reeling.

When no one says anything, I finally mutter a weak, “Rules.”

Hallie rolls her eyes. “Rules are meant to be broken.”

“Says the woman who got drunk and slept with the guy she couldn’t stand,” Blair mutters softly.

“Yes! See? I broke that rule—twice!And got myself knocked up! But that rule was definitely meant to be broken, because the sex was…” She whistles low and fans her face.

My face flushes once again as I glance around the room and realize the guys all went into the living room. “What are we playing?” I ask, seeing them sitting around a poker table set up in the middle of the room.

“Thirty-one,” Blair replies.

---