Page 70 of Objection to Love

“Bowling.” He pointed. Across the street was a bright neon sign for a bowling alley.

“I can’t remember the last time I went bowling,” Em said vaguely as they started across the street. She wouldn’t object though… anything was better than what they were walking away from.

“Well, that’s about to change.” And with a smile, Garrett pulled Em into the building.

Chapter 24

Garrett

“You’rehustlingme!”Garrettcalled.

Em walked back from her fourth strike in a row, mouth wide in a smile, and goofy bowling shoes a stark contrast to the rest of her outfit.

She looked good. Really good.

“You were horrible in our first game! What happened?”

She shrugged, but he saw the creasing of her cheeks. “Guess I was just warming up.”

“How long did you say it’s been since you went bowling?” He eyed her skeptically. This felt too much like the time she’d faked him out pretending to drown.

“I think the real question is… how long has it been sinceyoubowled? I hate to break it to you, but…” her voice dropped to a whisper as she pointed to their screen, “you aren’t doing very well.”

Garrett took a drink of his soda, pretending indifference. “Well, I never claimed to be a world-famous bowler. You, however, did claim that it’s beenyearssince you played. And I don’t believe you.”

“Em!”

Both he and Em turned at the same time to see a couple walking toward them. Even if Garrett hadn’t seen April before, he still would have recognized her. The resemblance between her and Em was astounding, everything except their height and the barely visible baby bump April was sporting.

Garrett had a sudden flash of Em in a similar situation. With him. It was so surprising that he almost dropped his soda.

He’d only ever considered marrying one woman—Jenica—and that had gone so terribly he hadn’t even considered matrimony—let alone kids—since. But suddenly Em was making him feel all domestic. He swallowed, hoping no one could read his thoughts through his expression.

“What are you doing here?” April and her husband had stopped in front of them, and she pulled Em in for a hug.

“A failed date,” Em said. It was the first time she’d officially called one of their outings a date.

“Hey, I’m Garrett,” he said to April’s husband. He was a few inches shorter than Garrett, with lighter hair and a ready smile.

“Jackson.” The man shook his hand at the same time the girls turned to both of them.

“April, this is Garrett. My…” Em looked at Garrett, seemingly confused as to what they were.

On a split-second decision, Garrett held his hand out to April. “Boyfriend,” he finished for Em. Then he watched as she tried not to smile.

April gaped at him for a minute, her gaze swinging back to Em for confirmation. Finally, ignoring his hand, she opened her arms. “I’m a hugger, not a hand-shaker. Especially not for people who manage to date Em.”

Surprised but not put off by the gesture, Garrett gave Em’s sister a quick hug.

“What do you mean by ‘manage’ to date me?” Em asked.

April gave her a sarcastic look. “As if you don’t know.”

Em rolled her eyes. Apparently he wasn’t the only one to elicit that reaction from her. “Are you guys meeting anyone? Our game is about done; want to join us?”

April and Jackson shared a quick look, then both nodded.

“That sounds great,” April said. Then she looked past them at their screen. “Em, are you winning? Have you even bowled since high school? That’s a really impressive score.”

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