Page 34 of Faking Romance

“Oh, uh, sort of, why?” I ask.

“Oh, never mind, then. I was going to try to really sell you on the guys in the building,” she laughs.

Jocelyn leans on the desk and crosses her arms. “Which guys?”

Carly’s gaze looks toward her. “Are you looking to date?”

She shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Is there more to add from our last discussion about the guys in the building?” I ask, curious what she’ll say. A little more intel never hurt, right? And we’ve already talked about this, so I’m interested in what more she has to share.

Jocelyn shoots me a raised eyebrow and I glare at her, willing her to keep quiet.

“Well, there’s Hutch. Like I said before, he’s a cinnamon roll for sure. He’s just a sweetie. He’s silly and fun. But he has a serious side to him too. And obviously, he’s adorable. Then there’s Kasen. Honestly, Kasen is a bit of a mystery. I feel like I know him, but not really, if you know what I mean?”

“What’s his deal anyway? Like, why is everyone worried about who checks on the sea anemones?” I ask.

“The what?” Jocelyn asks. I realize I haven’t filled her in on this interesting tidbit.

“Oh, he loves sea creatures. He’s a master diver. He was in the Navy, special ops. And then when he got injured, they honorably discharged him. He’s totally fine, just not fit for full service anymore. He works for a contractor that sets up security software for various other government contractors and sometimes governments. He’s, like, really smart. I think everyone is worried because his cousin, Elliott, always checks on things. And he hasn’t replied to our texts this week. Honestly, I’m not that concerned yet, but if he doesn’t reply by next week, I will be,” she explains.

“Oh, OK. He sounds interesting,” I state.

“He is. You’ll see when you meet him. Grayson, who you know,” she says as she gives me a look that either is curious or knowing, but I’m not about to test which one.

“Sort of,” I say with a shrug because I want her opinion.

“Well, he’s a brilliant musician as you heard at happy hour. He’s very smart, like genius smart. His family is super rich, but he left the family business to pursue a music career. I think that didn’t go over very well. He had a girlfriend when he first moved here, but they broke up. Otherwise, he’s just a good guy. He might come off as a little…”

“Aggressive?” I ask.

“Irritating?” Jocelyn suggests.

Carly giggles. “Strong-minded,” she settles on.

“What about Brayden?” I question. I see her face flush a little.

“Yeah, he’s great. He’s a doctor. He’s been working a lot of night shifts at the ER, which is awesome for when I need help with Ava if I can’t get home after school. He’s friendly and kind,” she says.

“So, fuck, marry, kiss,” Jocelyn states deadpan.

I nudge her arm. “Jocelyn!”

“What? It’s the greatest game. So?” she asks Carly.

Carly’s upper body shakes with laughter. “OMG! One time Cam and I played that game in the jacuzzi. I think I said…hmmm… Fuck Hutch because…I mean former athlete, so…the muscles.” She pauses and laughs. “This is so ridiculous because most of them are like brothers to me now, so ewww! But uh, kiss Kasen because he has that whole mysterious thing going on. And marry either Grayson or Brayden because they seem to have their shit together for the most part, especially Brayden.”

She looks over at me and so does Jocelyn.

“What? I don’t even know Kasen yet. I’m not sure I can play appropriately,” I say quickly as I feel a blush creep up my face.

“So, just play along with who you know,” Jocelyn counters, crossing her arms.

“What about you?” I ask her. She’d met most of my neighbors between going to the coffee shop across the street and people coming and going from the door to the building next to the shop door.

“Marry Hutch, I love me some cinnamon roll. Fuck Kasen, because he sounds like a wild time. And kiss Brayden, because he seems nice,” she says, giving me a look like this should be easy.

Sighing, I lean back against a bookshelf. This isn’t exactly going as planned. It’s cute that Carly wants so badly to set me up with one of our neighbors, but I was hoping she would give me more insights on Gray. But now I just have more questions. “OK, fine. Fuck Hutch for the same reasons. I mean, he’d be a giver, right?” They both laugh. “Kiss Brayden because he’s got some great lips. And marry Grayson because he might actually be a decent human and I don’t know Kasen, so at least that’s like a known option.”

---