Page 66 of More Than Pen Pals

Randall runs his fingers through his hair. “What about handsome? Am I handsome?”

I wish he was joking, but he’s not. He truly wants to know.

“As much as it pains me to say it, I’m going to guess most women think you’re handsome.” Admittedly, he was kind of goofy looking as a kid, but he grew out of that during prep school.

“Only most?”

“Fine. Probably all women do. But, for the record, I don’t. I think you’re ugly as sin.”

“Glad to hear it. Now take me to the pasta.”

* * *

“We’ve talked about my love life all night,” Randall says between bites of spaghetti. Thankfully the food seems to be absorbing some of the alcohol in his system. “Now it’s time to talk about yours.”

I groan. “Nope.”

“Yep.”

“There’s nothing worth telling that you don’t already know.”

“You positive?”

I eye him warily. “Why?”

“Because you’ve told me almost nothing, that’s why. You’ve eaten two dinners with Leslie. There’s gotta be a heck of a lot more to tell.”

“I don’t know what you expect me to tell you. I’m not going to ramble on about her. If there’s something specific you want to know, ask. I may or may not answer.”

“Do you think she actually might want to date you someday, or was she trying to let you down easy?”

That wasn’t the question I thought he would ask. “She wasn’t messing with me.” I have no doubt her interest is real. But I’m also not making any assumptions that anything will happen between us, especially after what she said about Glenn’s call and her attitude when she left the game.

“What?” Randall says.

“What, what?”

“What’s that look for?” He circles his finger in the air near my face. “You look grouchier than usual.”

I smack his hand away, but I answer him. “Her ex wants to get back together.”

My brother’s eyes open wide. “How do you know that?”

“She was at the game today, too. We rode there together.”

“And why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

“Because it’s none of your business, that’s why.”

He slurps up some spaghetti, and sauce droplets land on his shirt. He’s oblivious. “If that’s true, then you shouldn’t have told me. But it’s not true. Itismy business if I’m going to help you through this thing with her.” He cocks his head at me. “What is going on with her, again?”

“Beats me.”

“You still planning to do the pen pal thing?”

“Yes.” I’m not telling him I already sent the first letter.

“But she might get back with her ex?”

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