Page 95 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

“Tyler?”

Nova rolls her eyes at the ceiling. “Yes, Tyler. What is he, like—thirty-five?”

I rear back,hatingthe idea. “How the hell would I know how old Tyler is? The answer is no. He’s a fuck boy.”

My sister is undeterred. “How do you know he’s a fuck boy?”

“He looks like one.”

Duh.

Nova snorts, crossing her arms. “Helookslike one? That’s your entire basis for judgment? You can’t just slap a label on someone because they have good hair and a decent jawline.”

She thinks he has a decent jawline?

The man has a beard. “He has a weak upper lip.”

“Fine,” she says with a dramatic sigh, throwing her hands up in defeat. “Forget Tyler. Forget your teammates. Forget everything. I’ll just join a nunnery or something.”

“Good call,” I say, nodding. “You’d look great in a habit.”

“You are such a jackass.” Nova’s laughter finally fades as she wipes at her eyes, still grinning. “Seriously, though. What’s your problem with setting me up? You’re acting like I’m asking you to marry me off to one of your idiot teammates.”

I cross my arms, leaning against the counter. “It’s not that. I just know these guys, Nova. They’re my friends, sure, but I’ve seen what they’re like off the field. Half of them don’t even know how to do their own laundry.”

“So?” she says, arching an eyebrow. “That’s why I wouldn’t datehalfof them. I just need you to point me to the one with a working brain cell.”

“You’re assuming one of themhasa working brain cell.” I realize I’m losing my patience and take a deep breath. Let it out. “Look. I’m not saying you can’t handle them, but why would youwantto? Do you know how many times I’ve had to explain to Jank that you can’t put metal in the microwave? Twice, Nova. Twice.”

“He is not from America!” my sister shouts in his defense. “He’s from Ukraine, of course he doesn’t know you can’t put metal in the microwave!”

“I’m trying to protect you. You deserve someone who isn’t going to make you question all your life choices every time he opens his mouth and a loose tooth falls out.”

Nova shakes her head, laughing. “You’re such a pain in the ass, but thanks, I guess.”

“You’re welcome, I guess.”

Nova tilts her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Maybe Austin knows some single guys.”

“No,” I say flatly, already regretting where this is going.

She frowns. “Why not?”

“Because. The guys Austin knows are college students and too young for you.” I am delighted to enlighten her. “She’s a professor. You want me to set you up with one of herstudents?”

“Pause.” Nova blinks, jaw dropping. “Wait—what? Back up. She’s a professor? You’re dating a professor?”

My chest swells with pride.

“Yeah,” I say, smirking at her stunned expression. “What did you think her job was when you played matchmaker?”

“I wasn’t thinking about jobs at all!” Nova admits, throwing her hands up. “You didn’t exactly say, ‘Hey, I’m dating a genius.’”

“She’s not a genius,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I mean, maybe she is—I’m still getting to know her. Hard to tell under that sassy mouth.”

“Wait. Back up. What does she teach? I’m literally so stunned by this news,” Nova presses, still trying to process. “English? Rocket science? Marketing?”

“Sociology.”

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