Page 8 of Obeying the Owner
“I agree, but that’s not the only example I can give of you being sweet.”
“Enough about me.” I struggle with handling compliments gracefully.
“If you’re too nervous to open the app, I’ll do it. It’s the least I can do. After all, you were instrumental in getting your brother and me together.”
“All I did was invite you over for dinner.”
Niall walks into the room and says, “And look what that got her.” He winks at Lucy.
Since I finished my master’s degree in December, I’ve lived with my brother for six months. Lucy is his next-door neighbor. They had a rocky start when they first met, unlike she and I, who became fast friends.
Niall struts over to the couch, stopping in front of Lucy. He holds his hand out. “It’s time for bed.”
“Aww, he needs you to tuck him in,” I say.
Lucy shakes her head. “I was gonna help your sister with something.”
I wave my hand at them both. “Go on. I’m all set.”
She takes Niall’s hand, and he pulls her to her feet. “Night, Maeve.”
I smile at her. “Night.”
“Sorry to ruin your plans,” he says, leading her toward his room.
“Sure. Sure,” I shout after him.
Finally, I stretch out lengthwise on my stomach and tap the Finder icon on my phone. Scrolling through slowly over the next several minutes, I’m mostly disappointed with the options I’m seeing. There seems to be no shortage of good-looking men on this site, but I’m searching for an intangible factor that will make him worth swiping on. And I suppose it would help if I had any idea what that factor is.
Maybe it’s charisma? But how can you judge someone’s charisma if not in person?
Perhaps it’s a friendly glint in their eyes or a devilish smile—or maybe it’s all these things.
I guess it’s something I’ll recognize when I see it.
“Nope. Nope. Nope.” I pass on three more men before someone finally catches my interest. “Hello, handsome.” Looking closer, I notice a few silver strands in his brown hair. He looks older than the guys I’m typically attracted to. And the mirrored aviators he’s wearing in his profile picture give him a look I’m instantly drawn to.
Maybe someone older would be a good thing.
A man who’s mature and experienced—what would that be like?
The few guys I’ve been with sexually were neither of those things, which is possibly why none of them lasted—in the bedroom or my life.
For the past six years, I’ve focused on doing well in school and getting a job, so I missed out on some of the wild times college life offers. I didn’t mind then because I was thinking about the bigger picture, which I’ve always done.
But sometimes, I feel so much older than I am—older than someone my age should. Maybe that’s why my friendship with Lucy has been so effortless. I guess I just relate better to her because she’s ten years older than me.
Sheryl and I have become friends through work, and while I enjoy her company, she and I have different interests. She’s all about fashion and going to a new bar every night. Shopping is something I do out of necessity, and I’d prefer hanging out at home with my brother and Lucy over spending time with strangers at some random bar.
The longer I study his picture, the more details I notice. His build is lean and muscular, but not bulky. His blue polo shirt fits well enough to reveal a flat stomach, and the short sleeves show off solid forearms. Hot damn, forearms are a significant weakness of mine. Suddenly, my face feels flushed.
Is it getting hot in here?
I quickly swipe right before I can talk myself out of it. There. What’s done is done.
I’m about to log out when I see a notification that Mr. Handsome and I matched.
Letting out an excited squeal, I beat the tops of my feet against the couch, then bury my face in the throw pillow as if he can currently see me. After a few calming breaths and mild self-admonishment for my childish behavior, I raise my head.