Page 14 of Love Me Not

Not outside of tax season, we shouldn’t. “Why?”

“’Cause he’s a nice guy,” Joe said. “And he’s single.”

Was he really attempting to set me up with a random guy at a family function? The accountant looked nice enough, with light brown hair, muted blue eyes, and a lanky body that could have meant marathon runner or severely asthmatic, but nice guy was how some serial killers had been described, so I was going to need more information.

“And?” I asked.

Joe shifted from one foot to the other. “And what?”

“Besides being nice and single, why should I talk to him?”

The poor guy looked extremely uncomfortable with this exchange, and had yet to speak. In fact, he looked to be shrinking the longer this went on. I had nothing against him, but I had everything against my brother for putting us through this.

“Why you bein’ difficult?”

“You want me to spend time with a complete stranger. I don’t think getting a few more details is too much to ask.”

I heard a snicker beside me and looked over to find my sister, Alex, trying not to laugh. I also spotted Gloria roll her eyes with great disapproval.

“What’s the harm in talking to him?” my sister-in-law asked with a huff.

“What if he kills me, Gloria? Have you thought about that?”

The stranger finally joined the conversation. “I’d never kill anyone.”

Turning his way, I said, “No offense, but that’s exactly what a killer would say.”

Alex choked as Gloria mumbled, “Oh, for heaven’s sake.”

“You know what?” Joe said, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Forget it. Owen, she doesn’t deserve you.”

“That’s not nice,” Alex cut in.

“He isn’t wrong,” I said. As Gloria escorted Owen off the porch, I assured him, “You’re dodging a bullet, buddy.”

Alex poked me in the arm. “Quit. He’d be lucky to have you.”

I shrugged. “Maybe, but I doubt it. I’d eat him alive.”

We watched the threesome go, and she said, “You’re probably right. He did seem nice though.”

“Who is he except Owen the accountant?”

“New coworker in Gloria’s office. I have a feeling she brought him for you, but didn’t bother to tell him that.”

Taking a seat on the porch swing, I said, “What gives you that idea?”

My sister flashed a smile. “Because when I talked to him inside, he showed me a picture of him and his boyfriend at Kennywood last month.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. “Are you serious? The poor guy got ambushed more than I did.”

Shading her eyes, Alex looked out over the yard. “He could probably give us the dirt on what Gloria is really like at work. We should corner him if given the chance.”

This was a plan I could get behind. “Do you think he’d tell us the truth?”

“After that embarrassment? I’m sure of it.”

“Good point.”