Page 29 of Catch Yourself a Snowmance
“Yes. Bonus points for remembering that.”
“I tend to remember facts about people who interest me.”
“And, I interest you?”
“You’re an interesting person.”
He studies me. I don’t look away. We just stare at one another in the dim light of the dwindling fire.
“So, why don’t you have a boyfriend?” he asks me.
His voice is low and intimate.
“Mmm. Long story. Mostly I can’t seem to meet the right kind of guy at the right time.”
“So you met the right kind of guy at the wrong time?”
“More than once. But mostly I just meet the wrong kind of guy.”
“What are the red flags?” heasks.
“Unemployed. Uncommitted. Unwilling to put in the effort.”
Carson’s leaning back into the corner of the couch, his legs stretched out long in front of him, his hands looped behind his neck. I hold his gaze.
“All the uns?” he asks.
“Yeah. All the uns. How about you? Why don’t you have a girlfriend? You’re all …” I wave a hand in his direction.
“All? Whatallam I?”
“You already know.” I stare into the fireplace.
“All uncoordinated and messy?” He chuckles. It’s low and drowsy.
“No one is coordinated their first day on a snowboard.”
“You’re avoiding the question,” he says, nudging my foot with his.
“What was the question?”
“Whatallam I?”
“You know. Attractive, funny, in good shape … employed.”
He smiles over at me. He does know.
“You think I’m employed?” He winks.
“I actually do.”
“Well, to answer your question,” he says. “I decided a while ago to stop looking for a relationship. I have the guys, my work, my hobbies. I'm not lonely. So I declared myself the perpetual bachelor.”
“Oh.”
I don’t know why I feel so disappointed by this piece of information. It’s not like we were about to start dating. Though this … us staying up together … the way we always seem to pair off and find our spot … the ease between us … feels like something that could stretch past this week.
And it definitely feels like something more than friendship at times. We flirt a lot. He watchesme. I’ve caught him a few times. And I watch him. I’m attracted to him, and not just physically.
