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nineteen
greyson
The iced coffee, rich and cold, slides down my throat, the chilled mocha and milk sending shivers to my toes. I’m a proud man who willingly drinks iced drinks, much better than the liquor I used to consume in large quantities—and often.
For early afternoon, the shop’s door revolves more than Theo remembers to change underwear. Customers hustle, juggling their frothy drinks, clutching their bonbons and their laptops, fighting for seats to enjoy this slice of heaven.
“Are you any closer to admitting your feelings to Scarlett?” Rowan inclines her face as she sucks down a frappe from the Java Drip. She’s channeling summer with her hot pink sundress and strappy sandals wrapping around her calves.
Glancing at the long line next to us, I nod to the busy barista and swivel in my chair back with what I hope is a stern expression on my face. “Will you pipe down? I know a lot of people around town. Can we have a normal conversation like normal humans?”
She rolls her sparkling brown hues. “Loosen up. Everybody probably already knows. Your puppy dog eyes whenever she’s near are quite adorable.”
Scowling, I fire back, “I do not have puppy dog eyes. Kellen said the same thing and I take offense to that.” This only makes her laugh more. “I need a distraction. Tell me how your speed-dating escapades have been going?”
She freezes before slurping up her drink. “Um, fine. No match yet.” She slumps in her chair dramatically.
“What’s your type? Maybe you’re looking in the wrong places. Can’t promise anything life changing, but I could offer you advice, since you have no problem butting into my love life.”
She studies me for a moment, rolling her lips in and out before responding. “Okay, since I trust you and your,”—she waves her hands up and down in front of me—“non-threatening cowboy vibe, I’ll tell you.”
I sit up and cross my arms over my chest. Cowboy vibe? I assess my plain tee, jeans, and boots. Simple—like me.
Rowan chews on her lip before spitting out, “My type is menandwomen. I’m queer. Or bi.” She holds her breath until she sees my smirk and then visibly relaxes in her chair.
“Switch-hitter, huh?”
She sticks out her tongue before laughing. “I played softball in college, and I kicked ass in it.”
“I like softball too.”
“Bet you do. Those uniforms are hot.” She wiggles her black eyebrows, snorting, as she swirls the remaining whipped cream in her cup with her straw.
“Damn straight. P and I rocked baseball in high school. Of course, we knew the girls were staring.” I brush my shoulder off and wink.
“Well, if they didn’t make those pants so tight, there’d be nothing to draw our eyes to.” She winks right back.
Adjusting my ball cap, I then place my arm across the back of the empty seat next to me and regard her. “So… I have an idea.”
She shakes her dark curls. “Oh no, watch out, Grey is thinking.”
I bark out a laugh. “Shut it, woman. Hear me out.”
“Proceed, boo. I’m shaking with excitement.”
I squint one eye, bite my bottom lip, and toss my balled-up napkin at her face. She reminds me of Savy—playful. She’ll fit right in with all of us. For years, the idea of being friends with women was understandably understated. Most would side with Harry and proclaim women and men can’t be more than casual acquaintances. I disagree, considering I can be in the presence of Savy, Lynn, and now Rowan without wanting to bone them. Scarlett is my Sally. The only one I can’tjustbe friends with.
“There’s this gala Scarlett helps oversee every year for the Equestrian Therapy Foundation, and I was wondering if you’d come with me. I have someone I can introduce you to.” I can’t help the excitement in my voice.Look at me playing matchmaker, like Savy. Maybe I’ll be more successful. Then again, I’m the one in my own damn way it would seem.
Narrowing her eyes, she studies me. “You don’t want to take Scarlett? Won’t she get weird about it?”
I shake my head in disappointment. “She has to be there early to help set up and coordinate everything, so she won’t be available as a date.”
“Hmm. Fine, I’ll bite. Who’s this person?”
I sit up, the vinyl of my chair squeaking, and rub my hands together. “She’s great. Now, she broke up with her girlfriend last fall and I don’t honestly know the protocol on how long to wait to set someone up after a break-up, but she works with me at SoS. A badass at multi-tasking—good with her hands.” I wink and wiggle my eyebrows as she leans up to whack my hat off my head.
Chuckling, I put it back on, bill turned backward.
