Page 11 of The Mr. Right Checklist

“Can’t you ask anyone for help? Or take a few classes on business management?”

“You don’t want to know how poorly I did in school. I’m a smart girl, but I can’t learn that way. Ruby would help if I let her, but she and her husband are trying to get pregnant, and she likes things done her way. It’s best if I just let it go.”

Shit. The last thing I need is a complication like this whirlwind of a woman in my life, but I’m not an asshole. I can’t just walk away and let her give up on her dreams. Especially when teaching is what I do. “I’ll help you.”

She cocks her head with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

“I’ll help you get started and make sure you don’t get yourself into any more trouble. I double majored in business and sociology, and I’ve helped a few friends get their businesses off the ground.”

“But you don’t even believe in love, and it’s a marriage-proposal business.”

“I don’t need to believe in love to make sure you’re crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s. Even if it’s with little hearts.”

“How did you know I do that? Have you been spying on me?”

I laugh. “With a name like Destiny Amor, anything else wouldn’t be right.”

“That’s going to be my excuse from now on,” she exclaims. “If you were to help me, how much would you charge?”

“I don’t want your money.”

“Ryan-Fletch, are you insinuating that you want to be paid with sexual favors? Because I’m not that kind of girl.”

“My name is Ryan Fletcher, and I wasn’t insinuating anything. I’m definitely not looking for sexual favors. Please don’t take offense to this, but I’m not interested in you in that way.”

“Whew.” She sits back, exhaling with relief. “Thank goodness, because nothing about you matches my checklist.”

“Your checklist?”

“That’s right. You know, the list of things I’m looking for in a guy. But you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m not attracted to you at all. You’re more grumpy Ken doll than can-do G.I. Joe.”

Ouch. “I’m glad you cleared that up.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want any misunderstandings. What should I call you, by the way? I’ve been calling you Grumpy Gus, but you probably prefer Ryan, or Fletch, like Ruby calls you.”

Grumpy Gus? What the hell? “Most of my friends call me Fletch.”

“Does that mean we’re friends?” She looks like she just received a sought-after invitation, and she doesn’t wait for an answer. “I don’t have a lot of friends here yet. Fletch. I like that, and I’d truly appreciate your help. I’ll walk Molly as often as you’d like to make up for everything that happened today, and please don’t tell me no, because I don’t take handouts.”

I’m about to turn down her offer of walking Molly when another idea comes to mind. “You don’t need to pay me back, but if you’re dead set on it, I’ve got a better idea. My family has been all over me about finding a girlfriend, and I’d really like to get them off my back. My brother is getting married at the end of June. Come to the wedding with me and pretend to be my date. That should be enough to shut them up for a while. Unless it’s too big of an imposition.”

Excitement shimmers in her eyes. “Are you kidding? I love weddings. That’s what? Six or seven weeks away? That gives us plenty of time to get to know each other. You’ll have to let me know when the wedding is so I don’t make other plans, and what you’re wearing so I can match, and—”

I hold up my hand, silencing her. “We’ve got time to figure that out. Let’s focus on getting your business up and running.”

“Okay, but even though I’m going to the wedding, I’m still walking Molly for you. She’s my favorite four-legged client, and it looks like she and Clementine have become friends after all.” She motions to Molly, sleeping with the cat curled up beneath her chin.

I shake my head. “I will never understand females.”

She giggles. “We’re not that complicated. But since you’re helping me, I’ll help you understand women better.”

I push to my feet. “No thanks.”

“Why not? Because you don’t believe in love?”

“Because I’m not looking for a woman, so I don’t need to understand them.”

She crosses her arms, studying me. “That’s your real problem, and I’m going to fix it.”