Page 89 of The Mr. Right Checklist

Until Destiny.

She blindsided me, but I don’t want to run from her love. But will she want to run from mine?

Pacing again, I try to figure that out. There’s no way she can fake the emotions I feel in her touch and see in the way she looks at me. There’s no way this is one-sided.

The devil on my shoulder hisses, She isn’t afraid of love. She can’t help but blurt out her feelings, and she hasn’t done that with you.

“No shit, asshole.”

Mentally racing through the last few weeks, my own voice slams into me. I’m not looking for a relationship, sunshine, and I’m definitely not looking for love. So let’s be damn sure we’re on the same page this time, because I do not want to hurt you with another misunderstanding.

I told her not to fall for me.

I grab on to that like it’s a brass ring. But that damn devil won’t relent. Wake the fuck up, Grumpy No-Love Gus. You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak. There might be a fine line between lust and love to most people, but to Destiny Amor, it’s a ravine. One not easily crossed, and certainly not by a man who doesn’t nail nearly every item on her checklist.

My gut roils, and I lean my hands on the sink and close my eyes. What the hell am I doing? Do I really want to walk out that door and lay my heart on the line knowing she might trample it?

I lift my gaze to the mirror. Fuck yeah, I do. I rise to my full height and square my shoulders. I push through the bathroom door and stop at the sound of Destiny’s voice coming from around the corner.

“It’s not like that, Beth. He doesn’t meet anything on my checklist, well, except the things he inspired, but those don’t count.”

“So what? It’s a stupid list.”

“It’s not stupid. I’ve poured my heart into that list and lived by it for years. Not taking it seriously now is like going to an ice cream shop wanting a three-scoop sundae with hot fudge and butterscotch and all the toppings, and the guy behind the counter hands you a plain vanilla cone.”

“Well, if you put it that way.” Their voices fade as they head out of the corridor.

Gutted, I sink back against the wall, and for the first time in my life, I can’t remember how to breathe.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

DESTINY

“I had so much fun with Beth and her sister and their friends,” I say as we drive into Harmony Pointe. “Did you see the way Chuck was flirting with Beth’s bridesmaid Katie? When the girls and I were on the patio, he came outside to talk to her, and we all thought they were going to start making out. They didn’t, of course, but I bet they made plans to meet up later. They’d make a good couple. Don’t you think?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, come on. I think they’d be great together. What a fun night. I’m so happy you brought me with you.” I gaze out the window as we drive down the main drag. “I really loved what your dad said about you and your brothers and watching that video.” I touch the hearts on my necklace. “Do you know how many times I touched my necklace tonight? I really do feel closer to my parents wearing it. Thank you again.”

As he pulls into our neighborhood, I realize I’ve been talking the whole way home. “Listen to me rambling. I didn’t give you a chance to get a word in edgewise. What did you think of the night?”

“It was nice,” he says as he drives past his house.

“I thought we were staying at your place tonight.”

“Change of plans, sunshine.” He turns onto my street.

“Oh, okay. Should we get Molly?”

He pulls into my driveway and cuts the engine. “No, she’s fine.”

The hair on the back of my neck prickles as he climbs out and comes around to open my door. He offers me his hand, like usual, but as we walk up to the door, he doesn’t keep holding it, or put his hand on my back, or anything.

“Fletch, did I do something to bother you tonight?”

“No. You’re great. Everyone loved you.”

“Then what’s wrong? This feels like it did the day we scouted locations for Arjun’s proposal.”