Page 13 of I Wish He Would

“You know that’s not what I was saying.” Mallory frowns. “Wasn’t Bradley’s family super into baseball?” I nod, and she continues. “So isn’t that the best way to stick it to them? Show them how measly the Vanderbilt name is. Who wants to date a stupid boy with an inflated ego and daddy’s trust fund when you could be with a handsome MLB star?”

I see Mallory’s point. The Vanderbilts would be green with envy if I brought the Austin Bradford to their golden son’s wedding. But that still doesn’t erase the fact that spending a week with Austin as my plus-one at the beach sounds like an awful idea when I’m trying to deny my feelings for him.

“I still think it’s too much to ask of him.”

“Then it’s a good thing that you don’t have to ask him.” I look up as Mallory sets her phone on the table, a wicked grin on her lips. “I did it for you.”

“You did what?” My voice squeaks as my heart pounds in my chest. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

“Mm, I would, but that would be a lie.”

“You don’t even have his number.” I’ve never given any of my friends his contact information for this very reason.

“There’s this thing called DMing on social media.” Mallory grins. “It’s highly effective.”

“You’ll just go to his message requests.” I know he has over a hundred thousand followers, so surely he won’t see it.

“Not when I’ve messaged him before after some of your more awful date experiences.”

Great. He doesn’t have a game until this evening, so he’s totally going to see whatever she sent him.

I let my face fall into my hands. “Why couldn’t y’all just leave this alone?”

“Because we don’t want you to face Bradley and Bianca alone.” Shayna squeezes my arm.

“And we know that Austin would want to be there for you,” Kelsey says around her mouthful of berry-covered biscuits.

Tess nods. “It’s not like you could bring the guy from last night.”

“Was your date a bust?” Shayna dabs at the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“Let’s just say, he brought his mother and asked for her opinion before he did or said anything all night.”

Tess grimaces. “Yikes.”

I pop my lips. “Yeah, I think I’m done with dating.”

“But you deserve love.” I think Shayna has literal tears in her eyes.

I know she’s obsessed with all things romance, and I used to be that way, too. But I’ve had enough bad-date experiences to know that life isn’t like romance movies or books. The dating world is a lonely, scary place filled with more men that should be added to some list warning all women to stay far, far away from them than good ones.

“I think everyone deserves love, but it doesn’t mean we’re all going to find it.”

“Amen, sister.” Tess nods.

I shoot her an appreciative smile. At least one of my friends understands my thoughts behind remaining single.

“There’s this article I saw on social media, and I think you should try it out before you give up on dating.” Shayna takes a sip of her strawberry matcha.

“I already love this.” Kelsey leans back in her chair.

“I don’t know.” I shoot Shayna a wary look. The internet hasn’t done my dating life any favors.

“It sounds ridiculous, but just bear with me.” Shayna leans forward, garnering all of our attention. “The article lists twenty questions to fall in love.”

Mallory chortles. “That sounds like the start of a cheesy rom-com movie.”

“It’s not cheesy if it works,” Shayna retorts.