And would you look at that? Her words do the opposite of what she’d hoped they would. I dislike him even more now. I don’t want to hear that he’s nice and cool, even though the smarter part of me knows it’s a good thing.
She sighs happily. “It might work out this time, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up. Selfishly I want more couple friends, but also, Beau deserves to be happy. Every time Marty sets him up with someone, he never puts in the effort.”
“Maybe he’s uncomfortable with dating.”
“Or maybe he’s not giving any guy a chance.”
From what he said, they’re the idiots who haven’t given him a chance. “Why do you think that? If he actually wants to find someone, wouldn’t he be trying?”
“Yes, but I think the problem is he’s hung up on someone unavailable.”
I swear under my breath. “Tell me you don’t mean me.”
Her surprised stare meets mine. “You know?”
And I guess that confirms that, then. “He told me.”
“That’s surprising. What did you say?”
“What was I supposed to say?” I ask defensively. “I’m going through a divorce. I’m not gold-standard relationship material.”
“You do know those things don’t go hand in hand, right? You can be divorced—because an asshole cheated on you—but still be an awesome person to date. Just because one guy didn’t see your worth, doesn’t mean another won’t.”
“Well, after-school special aside, I’m not anywhere close to dating, worth it or not.” Which is why I’m going to have to encourage Beau where Lee is concerned. If he is as interested as Lizzy and Marty are saying, then it’s a good match. Even if I don’t think he’s good enough.
“You’re not freaking out about it?”
“The feelings thing?”
“Yeah.”
“I did at first.” Not that I’m going to tell her why. “My main concern is I don’t want to lead him on or have things get out of hand. He said it’s a crush, so I guess dating someone else will fix it.” Even if he did say something about a sexual awakening, which was flattering as hell.
She grasps my arm. “You can play matchmaker with us. You can help Beau get ready for his date and tell him all the things he can talk about.”
That suggestion sits too uncomfortably close to his one about improving that it’s hard to hold back my annoyance. “He doesn’t need anyone to tell him what to say. He’ll be fine on his own.”
“Yes, but the Beau we know and the one who ends up on those dates are two totally different guys, apparently. He has an issue with nerves.”
“And? If the guys he’s dating can’t deal with that, they shouldn’t be dating him at all.”
“It’s not like that. But, well, you know how conversations go when it’s one-sided. It makes it hard to get to know him. I’ve never seen that side of him, so it’s weird to consider, but when I see him with other men”—she gestures to where Beau and Lee are sitting—“it’s like he clams up.”
Now she’s pointed that out, I realize she’s onto something. Beau smiles and nods a lot and offers the occasional sentence, but it’s definitely less of a conversation and more Lee monologuing. Beau’s hands never stop moving, all that excess energy coming out through his fidgeting.
It shouldn’t make me happy.
It does though.
As the day moves on and the beers go down smoother, it becomes easier to relax. Lee takes up a lot of Beau’s time. At one point, I see Beau get up to take a piss, so I give it a minute before I follow him inside. I’ve barely said hello, though, when Lee pops up again.
It’s not until late, when my brain is swimming in alcohol and I order a car to pick us up, that I give in and make my way over to them.
I throw an arm around Beau’s shoulders, ignoring the look Lee gives me. “Car will be here in five to pick us up.”
“Perfect.” His cheeks are red, probably from drinking all day.
“It’s okay,” Lee says. “I can ride home with him.”
“That’s pointless when we live together.”
It’s like I can hear the thoughts racing through Lee’s mind. The intent. The need for more Beau. And maybe it’s stupid or petty of me, but I don’t want Beau so much as kissing this guy twenty-four hours after we’ve hooked up.
“The night is still young. You don’t want to go yet, do you, Beau?” Lee asks.
“Uh, well, I’m a bit tired …”
“We were up late last night,” I point out, loving the sound of those words. When Beau stiffens though, I reluctantly add, “Watching a movie. Besides, Beau isn’t the type to hook up on a first date, so you’re out of luck there, friend.”
I love the way Lee frowns. He doesn’t look so pretty now.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Ready to go, Beau?” I ask.
“Yes. Please.”
“I’ll text you,” Lee adds.
Of course he fucking will.
We leave without so much as a goodbye, and it’s not until we climb into the back of an Uber that Beau looks at me.
“What was that?”
“What do you mean?” The question is stupid though, because we both know what he means. “Fine. I know you said you hate the small-talk part of dating, so I was trying to save you. You’re welcome.”
He hums. “I was trying to think of how to get away.”
“It’s easy. You say, ‘I’m leaving now, bye,’ and then you leave.”
Beau laughs. “It’s not that easy for me. This is what I mean. I struggle with things like that. I don’t like letting people down.”
“You’re not going to go on a date with him just because you can’t say no, are you?” Because while I might have been a dick by stepping in when I shouldn’t have, the last thing I want is Beau feeling uncomfortable.
“I should go on a date with him.”
“Right.”
“Because he seems nice.”
I snort. “That fucking word again. Nice. What an endorsement.”
“He’s hot too.”
Okay, that one I don’t like, and I shouldn’t say the thought that pops into my head, but I do. “Hotter than me?”
Thankfully, Beau laughs. “Different than you. But since you’re mentioning it, that’s exactly why I should give him a chance. Do I want to go? No. But if I don’t give anyone a chance, I’m going to end up pining after you alone, and I don’t think either of us would like that.”
That’s the reality though, isn’t it? And that’s exactly why I need to keep my nose out. It’s not up to me to decide who is good enough for Beau. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have stepped in.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“I know you are. But I shouldn’t have done it anyway.”
His phone lights up, and he tilts the screen to show me Lee’s name.
“Guy works fast.” I grunt.
“Yeah. He wants to catch up next weekend. I should do it, right?”