Candice appears offended. “I would never do that.”
“I love my financial planner,” Eleanor chirps. “He’s so great! Helps that he’s Kelsey’s boyfriend so I always have the inside track.”
“Yeah, yeah,” we all mutter, sending Kelsey knowing looks. Theo is more than just Kelsey’s boyfriend—and he’s definitely no stuffy banker. That guy is pure hotness in an expensive suit. He’s madly in love with Kelsey, plus they’re going to have a baby, and we’re all so thrilled for her, we can barely stand it.
“We talk stocks and bonds every night before we go to bed,” Kelsey says with a straight face, just before she bursts into laughter, making the rest of us laugh too.
“Uh huh. Whatever you say, Kelsey,” Stella drawls, her gaze shooting to mine. “But hey, back to the original topic. Candice did find you someone, Amelia. And we think he should be your date for her wedding.”
Wait a minute…what? “You’re going to set me up on a blind date that takes place at a wedding. Gee, that sounds fun,” I deadpan, reaching for my mug of beer. I take a big swig, wincing as it goes down, then take another.
I think I need the liquor for strength to get through this conversation.
“It’s the perfect place for a set up,” Caroline says, the wise, married one of our friend group. “Come on. You have the reception to distract you both. There’s free booze, food and cake.”
Hmm. I do have a sweet tooth.
“Plus, there’s dancing. It’s a giant party!” Caroline smiles. “If you two can’t make conversation, pull him onto the dance floor. See if you have chemistry! And if that doesn’t work?”
“Bail out like Cinderella, just don’t leave a shoe behind so he can find you,” Sarah adds.
Her comment makes the entire table erupt with laughter. Including me. I love all of my friends. And all of my friends are involved in serious relationships. Like every single one of them. Caroline is married. Sarah is engaged. Candice is about to get married as well. Stella and Eleanor are madly in love, and Kelsey is not only in love, but about to become a mama.
Back in the day, they were the single ones while I was in a relationship. I was so smug in that relationship too, while they all lamented over the dating scene and how they would never find a good man. Not that it’s all they wanted in life, but as women, we’re allowed to want it all. Great career and an amazing relationship.
Turns out I had neither. My career isn’t the greatest, and I was involved with a complete douche.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
I love my friends. I really do. But their wanting to meddle in my nonexistent love life is a little off-putting, and I don’t know how to feel about it.
“I don’t want to be paired up with someone I don’t know,” I say instantly.
“You need to give him a chance! The guy I found for you is sweet. Very kind. Thoughtful. Good sense of humor,” Candice says, ticking off his traits like a list. “Super hard worker too.”
“You not mentioning his looks worries me,” I say.
Candice’s eyes go wide. “He’s cute!”
“Uh huh. He’s probably more like a hideous troll,” I say, immediately hating myself when the words leave me. Since when should I care about looks? My ex is very attractive yet he’s a complete asshole.
That old saying is true. Looks can be deceiving.
“Cute makes him sound like a fluffy harmless bunny when he’s anything but. This guy is all man,” Candice stresses. “And really nice. The complete opposite of you know who.”
I appreciate her not saying his name. And knowing that my ex isn’t what anyone would call nice. “You know who was way too attractive for his own good.”
“This is true,” Candice says with a nod. “But this guy is actually really handsome too, but I don’t know how serious of a relationship you could have with him. That’s why I think he’s perfect for you.”
She says that last sentence so brightly, as if she’s trying to sell him. Which worries me because I can’t help but think there’s something wrong with the dude.
“She won’t come right out and say it, so I will for her,” Stella says, nudging Candice with her elbow before she leans across the table, her gaze only for me. “He’s the perfect rebound man. He’ll fuck your ex right out of your system, once and for all.”
My mouth drops open. “Stella. I’m not looking for someone to—fuck.”
Now they’re all wearing shocked expressions, just like me.
“There’s a word I never thought I’d hear you say,” Caroline breathes, her eyes wide as she stares at me.
“What’s the problem with me dropping a f-bomb here and there?” I shrug. Drink more beer. Drain the entire mug, though I don’t want a refill. One glass is plenty.
“You’re too refined for f-bombs,” Kelsey says. Which is hilarious because she has a gorgeous movie star face and I bet our friends consider her more on the refined side as well. I know I do. When I first met her, I thought she had a mysterious, aloof air.
Or maybe they don’t think she’s refined at all. I’m not sure. “What makes me refined?” I ask her.
“Your perfect posture. The way you walk. How you speak. The way you dress,” Kelsey explains, and everyone nods their agreement. “You have a very elegant way about you, Amelia.”
It’s my mother’s fault. Probably both my parents’ fault. They’ve always carried themselves a certain way. When I was younger, Mother was constantly correcting my posture, my grammar, my makeup, my choice of clothing. I never gave it much thought. She’s always treated me that way. Not that she’s a tyrant, she’s just always wanted me to look my best.
She still wants that for me. Her disappointment over the breakup of my relationship is still palpable. There’s no way I could tell her the truth. That my ex was such a jerk, I couldn’t take him anymore. I’d even call his treatment of me sometimes borderline…abusive.
And that’s hard to admit.
“Um, thank you, I guess. If you meant that as a compliment,” I say cautiously, worried others might think I’m a snob. Worried even more that my friends might think I’m one as well. Though then again, they wouldn’t be my friends, right? “I hope that doesn’t make me seem…unapproachable.”
“Trust me, you’re not unapproachable. You’re just—wary,” Stella says. “And that’s okay. Really it is.”
“The guy I want to set you up with? He won’t be intimidated by you,” Candice says assuredly. “He’s very easygoing. Not much intimidates him. I mean, if he can stand Charlie barking at him on a daily basis, he can handle anything.”
“What is this perfect male specimen’s name? And where did you find him?” I ask, raising my brows.
“He works at the tree farm with Charlie. And everyone calls him Jonesie. I guess because his last name is Jones,” Candice explains.
The girls start laughing. I can’t help it, so do I. “Okay. What’s his first name?”
“No one ever calls him by his first name,” Candice says with a little frown. “He’s just…Jonesie.”