Page 7 of His North Star
“Just do. But I didn’t come about camping.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Okay. Why are you here in the middle of the workday then?”
“Because I was showing the property three houses down. And I wanted to ask you something. Before you say no and freak out, this isnota date.”
My brow furrowed. I usually didn’tfreak out,but last week’s debacle justified my behavior. And where had I heard the “not a date” thing before? Oh, right. Last weekend. How had he forgotten already?
“I see,” I said. “So, what do you want to ask that’s ‘not a date’?”
He placed his hands in front of him, asking for patience. “My buddy James from college moved to Kalispell last month and—”
“No.” I interrupted him firmly. “I’m not going out. Did you not learn your lesson?” My voice—and body temperature—rose. “I don’t need you to find me a boyfriend.” I almost stomped my foot but caught it in time. No need to prove Ty correct that I sometimes,maybe, freaked out.
He narrowed his eyes, flashing hishow much trouble am I really in and is it worth it to push herexpression.
“I mean it,” I growled. “You have to stop setting me up. I really don’t like the guys you choose.”
“Last week aside, because I will grant you that one, what do you mean you don’t like who I pick?”
He could be so blind. “Really? Let’s go over the last few months.” I ticked each person off on a finger as I spoke. “There was the dreadfully boring bookkeeper, Dustin. The man-child, Jordan, who still lived with Mommy. TheStar Warsnerd who literally never talked about anything else. Sam,the doctor, remember him? Then last week’s unwashed, self-absorbed loser. Your track record sucks.” I spat the last word.
“Okay.” He shuffled his feet. “I admit those weren’t the best choices. But in my defense, your mom set you up with Jordan and Sam. And my point is to get you out of the house, not marry you off.”
“Your bar of expectations for these men is set at zero. Even if all you’re trying to do is get me to go out and have fun—which, by the way, not a single date has been—at least have some respect for me and choose someone who isn’t a loser. Actually, no. I take that back. Juststopwith all of this.”
“I’m not trying to set you up this time, promise,” he said earnestly. “James is new in town and wants to hang out. Meet more people. That kind of thing.”
I pointed a finger at him. “If I find out you’re tricking me, so help me Ty, I won’t talk to you ever again.”
His eyes flashed with a bit of fear. “I told you I learned my lesson, and I meant it.”
I released a heavy sigh. “Fine. I’ll come. But I’m pretty sure it’s pointless. It’s not like we’re going to become besties or anything.”
“Your best-friend status is already taken.” He pointed at himself with a proud smile.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Guaranteed, anyone who spends time with the two of us knows we’re close.”
“They’d better,” he grumbled. “Anyway, you good for Saturday to hang out with James?”
No. But people pleaser Maren would report to duty so as not to disappoint Ty. “I suppose so,” I said wearily. “Do you want to grab lunch right now? I could make you a sandwich at my place.”
He checked his watch, then groaned. “I would love to, but I’m meeting a client in twenty minutes.”
“No worries. I’ll see you Saturday then?”
“Yeah. Unless you want to hang out with Lys and me sometime this week?” His eyes lit up.
I could only handle small doses of Ty and Lys since my breakup with Blake. I didn’t like having what I once had shoved down my throat. Not that I wanted to be with Blake anymore, but watching others cuddle and kiss was still too much.
“No, thanks.”
He pouted. “Why not?”
“Let’s see.” I tapped my chin. “Something about being near a happy couple who is touching and laughing nonstop seems to be. . . how to put it? Gross.”
“We’re not that bad.”
Oh,please. “You totally are.”
