Page 111 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

"I don't really know what you're trying to do, Keira. Clearly he likes you. Why'd you even set us up in the first place?"

I laughed. "Likes me? Julie. Psh. I'm dating Connor's best friend. Connor and I have just become really good friends in the process."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He's such a sweetheart. He knew that I was upset and came running after me. He's just a really good friend."

"Oh."

"Look, Julie, he's super embarrassed, that's the only reason he hasn't texted you. He's so caring. If you give him another chance, you won't regret it. You'd be lucky to have him in your life."

"Are you sure there's nothing between you two?"

It didn't seem like I was ever going to see Connor again. So it didn't matter at all that we had hooked up that one time. Fixing things with Julie would be my goodbye present to him. "There's absolutely nothing going on between us. I really think you two would make an amazing couple."

Julie sighed. "So you think I should just text him? I really did have a good time."

"I think you should definitely text him."

"You know, I actually haven't been able to stop thinking about him. I just assumed that he didn't have a good time."

"Trust me, he did."

"Geez, Keira. Okay. I guess I'll text him."

I could hear the smile in her voice.

"Thank you so much for clearing that up."

"Of course. It was just such a crazy misunderstanding."

Julie laughed. "Maybe the four of us could go on a double date sometime?"

"Yeah, that would be fun." I didn't want to talk about this with Julie. I just wanted her to give Connor another shot. Apparently I was a good matchmaker. I could just never find anyone for myself.

"Okay, I'll text him now. Thanks, Keira!"

"Bye, Julie." When I hung up I looked down at my screen. Emily still seemed to be screening my calls. Goodbye, Connor. Goodbye, Jackson. Goodbye, Rory. I had never felt so alone.

Chapter 37

Only one person had responded to my ad on Craigslist. Her name was Rebecca Johnson. She didn't have a Facebook or any social media presence as far as I could tell. She was a complete ghost online. But her name seemed normal enough. And she was female. If a man showed up named Rebecca I'd just close the door in his face. Never again.

I put my laptop down on the coffee table and picked up my pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. The only thing better than forbidden chocolate was Chunky Monkey. Ben and Jerry were the only men that seemed to understand me.

The apartment was a complete mess. Rory's stuff was still everywhere. There were beer cans on the poker table and water rings on the coffee table. Nerf darts were scattered on the carpet and the broken Nerf gun was still on the floor.

But if Rebecca couldn't accept that, then I didn't want her as a roommate anyway. I needed someone that wouldn't judge me if I ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream every day until I felt better. I wasn't sure I'd ever feel better. It still felt like I was making a mistake. And I couldn't bounce around my ideas because Emily still wasn't answering my calls. I had even called Jim. But he didn't answer either. I was starting to worry that something terrible had happened to them. Or the baby. I put my carton of ice cream back down on the coffee table. Then I really would be all alone.

A knock on the door brought me out of my pity party. It was probably Rebecca. She was exactly on time. That was a good sign already. Even though the apartment was a mess, I had changed into a nice pair of jeans and

tank top. A potential roommate might forgive a little bit of a slob, but not if I was gross. Besides, I always felt better when I took time making myself look good. This was one of those instances that even a nice outfit couldn't seem to fix, though. I took a deep breath. I suddenly wanted to cry again. Hopefully I could hold it together while talking to a stranger.

I opened the door. Rory. I immediately tried to slam it in his face, but he put his hand out to stop it.

"Can I come in?" He was holding a bouquet of beautiful flowers in his other hand. He held them out to me.

I had demonized him in my head so much after I had kicked him out that I had almost forgotten how handsome he was. "I'm busy, Rory. I'm interviewing new roommates."

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