Page 46 of I Could Never
I couldn’t think of a reason to say no. I knew I needed this distraction badly. “Sure. That would be great.”
He handed me his phone, and I entered my number.
“Cool,” he said as I gave it back. “I’ll call you this week, and maybe we can arrange something for next weekend, if you’re not too busy?”
“I don’t have any plans, so that should work,” I told him, though I’d have to clear it with Josh.
“Wonderful.” He leaned in and gave me a hug that ended in a gentle squeeze. “It was great meeting you, Carly.”
I respected the fact that he didn’t try to kiss me. That would’ve been way too soon. “You, too, Neil.”
Lisa hugged her prospect goodbye as well, and we watched from in front of the bar as the guys each got into their respective trucks. Lisa’s brother-in-law had offered to be our designated driver tonight and was due to arrive any second.
Lisa looked up at the night sky and sighed. “Holy crap. Can you imagine if we both just met our future husbands tonight?”
Is she serious?That made me want to vomit. “Whoa.” I laughed. “I think that might be a little far-fetched to even ponder. You like Rob that much already?”
“Honestly? Yeah,” she said. “What’s not to like? He’s adorable and has a great job as an engineer. But I agree, my optimism might be a bit overboard.”
“Just a little.” I winked. “But I’m happy you liked him.”
“Neil is really cute, and he seemed super nice, too.”
“Yeah. I’d have to see him again to know for sure how I feel. I don’t think you can really know someone after only one meeting.”
Although, I remembered explicitly knowing Brad was the one from the first night I met him. But that kind of instant connection wouldn’t likely repeat for me. Maybe that’s why I was so hesitant to declare Neil a catch. Was it comparison to Brad? Or worse, did my hesitation have to do with the weird-as-hell feelings I seemed to be having for Josh lately?
CHAPTER 13
JOSH
I DIDN’T WANTher to come home and see me awake, as if I was waiting for her. But I couldn’t sleep for shit.
My phone rang, and I thought it might be Carly, but it was my brother Neil. I owed him a phone call.
“Hey, dude,” I answered. “What’s up?”
“I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No. Not at all. And I’ve been meaning to call you since I got back, but things have been busy.”
“I know. Michael told me. Scottie’s a real handful, huh?”
“He sure is.”
“How are things going with Brad’s ex being there?”
“We’re getting along. It is what it is.”
“What’s her name again?”
“Carly.”
The phone went silent. For a moment I thought we’d been disconnected.
“Did you say Carly?” he finally asked.
“Yeah. Why?”