If my brain was a computer, the CPU—Central Processing Unit—would be working overtime trying to compute what I just heard come out of Lily’s mouth. Did she infer that I’m the type of guy that women love? I’d like to dwell on thatpossibility a little longer, but the frown on her face makes my hands clench. I have a strong urge to take down any guy who’s ever made her believe she’s not adorable. And bytake down, I mean like in a chess match or something equally as nerdy. “That’s not true at all,” I refute her claim. “Youarecute and dainty. There’s a reason I call you Lil.”
Her expression softens, and for once she doesn’t seem exasperated. “Thanks for trying to make me feel better, Hunter.”
“Sure thing.” Then I ask the most important question on my mind. “So, why are you going on this date? And where are you going, and who exactly are you going with?”
Yes, I know that’s three questions, but if I’m going to size up my competition, I need all the information I can get.
CHAPTER 3
Lily
“Another fine day ruined by responsibility.”~Unknown
“You’ve been needing a husband for the past year, and you never bothered to mention that to me?”
Apparently, Hunter has a lot more questions for me after I told him about my dilemma. So many questions that we had to move our conversation to the company cafeteria, so we’d have a little more privacy. You’d be surprised at how curious tech guys can be when they get wind of any sort of relationship talk. Their brains may be hardwired to think in ones and zeroes, but their hearts still long for human connection. That’s probably how Jasmine was able to talk those four engineers into going on a blind date with me on such short notice. I feel triply bad that she has to now cancel on three of them.
“That’s a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. How do you feel about it? Lil?”
I glance up from my mug of pumpkin spice latte, a seasonal drink on the menu that matches the colorful fallleaves on the trees outside the window. My gaze connects with Hunter’s across the small circular table we’re sitting at, and I realize he’s still waiting for me to answer. His voice is deep and oddly soothing, an attribute I never noticed before. I furrow my brows in wonder. First, he threw me for a loop with his sans-glasses look, and now he’s acting like my therapist. How many ways can this guy surprise me today?
“Yeah, sorry. My mind’s all over the place. How do I feel? Guilty and responsible and basically like the worst sister in the world.”
“But is that reason enough for you to go out with a complete stranger?”
“In this situation, yes. And it’s not a complete stranger. I saw his picture, so I at least know what he looks like.”
“But do you know anything about him?”
“He’s an engineer, so he’s like us—good at math and problem solving, creative and analytical. He’s probably a fan of Star Wars or Star Trek, gaming, and Legos.”
“That’s the surfacy stuff. What if he’s a criminal or a gangster or someone who likes pineapple on their pizza?”
I balk. “What’s wrong with pineapple on pizza?”
Hunter recoils in horror. “Everything’s wrong with it. Who puts fruit on their pizza?”
“Everyone. Tomato is a fruit, and pizza sauce is made from tomatoes.” I quirk one brow and shoot him a “take that” look. It’s no secret that I have a competitive streak. Add to that the current state of life, and I’ll take all the victories I can get. I pretend to dust my hands off as I announce, “Case closed.”
“All right, you win,” Hunter concedes with an amused grin. “I’ll have mercy on you since you’re already in such a pickle.”
I shiver as the image of me floating in a jar of acidic brinecrosses my mind. “It’s kind of appropriate that you mention pickles. There’s a Chinese saying about eating vinegar?—”
“—that means you’re jealous,” he finishes for me without skipping a beat. He nods thoughtfully. “Are you jealous of your sister? It would make sense if you are.”
I don’t have time to wonder how Hunter is familiar with a Chinese idiom because I have to correct his assumption about my relationship with my sister. “I’m not jealous of Jasmine; I’m really not. I want the best for her. It’s just…”
“What?”
“There’s a tiny part of me that wishes I could be the younger sister for once. So I can throw aside my responsibilities and not have the pressure of living up to people’s expectations.” I lower my voice to a whisper and add, “I wish I could be irresponsible for just one day.”
Hunter’s eyes grow round. Either the caffeine from his cold brew has kicked in or I just shocked him with my confession. He leans in close and whispers back, “What do you mean by irresponsible?”
“Oh, nothing crazy! I’m talking about stuff like playing hooky so I can spend the day in bed reading, or not triple checking every email for typos before I send it, or letting my mom’s calls go to voicemail once in a while without feeling guilty about it.” A loud sigh escapes my lips. “It’s the guilt that kills me. But Jasmine can do all these things and more without feeling bad. It’s not fair.”
“You know what your problem is?”
I swallow hard. So much for expecting sympathy from Hunter. This is one time when I wish his engineering mind wasn’t so logical. “What’s my problem?”