Page 2 of Wish You Were Mine
“I’ve learned my lesson,” I said, sounding less sure than I intended. “We won’t be getting back together.”
“Good.” Nora gave me a satisfied smile. “You deserve someone who knows how lucky they are to have you. Someone tall and strong and sexy…”
“Are you sure you’re not daydreaming about Miles Hawthorne again?” I grinned into my glass, the starry-eyed look in my best friend’s eyes all too familiar. It was basically the same expression she had on Sunday when the cameramen zoomed in on his face during the Sentinels game.
“No…” She shoved my arm and shot me a look. “You know my brother’s best friend is off-limits.”
“Yes…but that hasn’t stopped you from having steamy dreams featuring him and you in a hot tub now, has it?”
She rolled her eyes. “I knew I never should have told you about that dream.”
I laughed. “I mean, it did sound like a really good dream. I certainly wouldn’t mind a good hot-tub make-out sesh right about now.”
She raised her glass. “You and me both.”
“For real.” I clinked my glass with hers.
“Which is why our dating droughthasto end tonight,” Nora said, turning in the booth, her eyes scanning the club like a hawk. “I mean, we’re hot, talented seniors on a Division I gymnastics team. We’re catches. And even if none of the guys at school were smart enough to snatch us up fall semester, surely there’s someone here who could be our perfect knight in shining armor...for at least one night, right?”
“I guess,” I said, glancing around at the various men in the club. “I mean, there has to be someone here foryouat least.”
Nora’s brow furrowed. “But not you?”
I shrugged, my gaze drifting over to Josh, who was standing a few feet away chugging a beer with a few of his hockey friends while the other guys chanted “chug, chug, chug” in unison.
“It’s probably not the best idea for me to hook up with some random guy in front of my ex…” I sighed, looking back at Nora. “Especially when I already agreed to be his designated driver tonight.”
“Ugh, why do you always have to be so considerate of his feelings?” Nora tsked, shaking her head. “I mean, he’s the one that messed up.”
“I know.” I sighed, the familiar knot of confusion tightening in my chest. “I just don’t want to risk messing up the truce we have going right now.”
When she opened her mouth to protest, no doubt ready to accuse me of being too considerate of my ex, I quickly added, “But he won’t be at Ky’s party, right? So we can focus on finding my knight in shining armor on Friday instead.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that.” Nora’s face lit up with a mischievous grin as she pointed a finger at me. “Because after dating the samedudfor three years, you deserve to have at least a little fun during your last few months of college.”
“So true.”
“All right, let’s get serious,” Nora said, shifting in her seat again. “Time to scan the room for potential candidates.”
With that, the playful energy between us kicked back in. But as I glanced around the club, I realized I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for, since I had no clue what type of guy Nora would be in the mood for tonight.
But apparently, Nora was more decisive than usual because she quickly pointed toward the bar.
“Okay, I’ve got a contender,” she said, her voice low with excitement. “Oh, he’s a major hottie.”
I followed her gaze and froze as I took in the guy she was looking at. He had dark hair, was tall and broad-shouldered, and looked...surprisingly familiar.
I blinked my eyes a few times, wondering for a split second if I was seeing things.
Was it possible the bartender had slipped me the alcoholic version of a Moscow Mule instead of the virgin one I’d asked for and the alcohol was messing with my eyes?
But when I focused on the guy and recognized the button-up shirt I’d given him for Christmas, I knew I couldn’t be mistaken. Because I was ninety-nine percent sure the guy my best friend was pointing at was none other than...my older brother, Theo.
“Umm, Nora…” I started to say when Theo turned his head sideways just enough for us to get a better view of his face.
And I knew the moment Nora recognized him, too, because her face immediately went beet-red.
“Oh my gosh!” She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “That’s Theo! I can’t believe I just called your brother a major hottie.”
