He gapes. “Who the hell told you that?” Then he gives me a closer look. “You okay, man?”
My spine seems to lose all its strength, and I slouch. “Yeah, sure. No.”
“What happened?” He stops. “Oh… It’s Snickers, isn’t it? She dumped you.”
“She didn’t dump me.” She hasn’t taken her stuff yet. Girls take all their shit when they’re done with you. “Shut up.”
“Then why are you here alone, looking so morose and dejected?”
“I’m not alone. As for morose, I’m putting up with you.”
Nate snorts. “What did you do to her?”
Whose friend are you? “What makes you think I did something?”
“If she did something, you wouldn’t be depressed. You’d be pissed off.”
Nate knows me too damn well. That doesn’t mean it isn’t irritating.
“Did you break her heart? Only pay fifty bucks for a dinner or something?”
Pulling back, I roll my eyes. “No.” Then I tell him, despite my better judgment because…well, I’ve already had four scotches.
When I’m done, Nate shakes his head slowly. “For fuck’s sake, did you make it crystal clear to her that the money isn’t that much?”
I nod.
“Did you also tell her having an account at OWM is actually for your benefit, because Gavin’s bound to make you even richer?”
Hmm. Did I? “I don’t remember.”
“Shoulda told her that. I mean, it isn’t like Gavin’s hurting for clients.”
That’s true enough. The man’s busy and loaded.
“Cheer up, man. A week from now, you’re going to look back at this and laugh at yourself for being so down. It isn’t worth it. Women are everywhere. As a matter of fact, date somebody in our circle.”
“What?” When did Nate become a matchmaker? “Like who?”
“Yuna?”
I make a face. “No. She’s like a sister to me.” Not to mention she isn’t my type. A little too thin. I like mine with soft, round breasts, beautiful aquamarine eyes and long brown hair. Like Skittles.
Fuck.
“You know what? Have about ten rounds, on me,” Nate says, patting my back a few times. “You’ll feel ten times more clearheaded. And you’ll call Elizabeth and tell her you’ll be a substitute bachelor at the auction because some shitbag had to pull out last minute because he’s apparently too important to help out kids with cancer. You’ll date the winner and realize she is your destiny. She’ll bid more than fifty bucks, and Starburst will become ancient history. Won’t even remember her in a month. I guarantee it.”
I gaze at Nate long and hard. Maybe it’s the alcohol or the lack of sleep…but his suggestion sounds immensely logical.
So I proceed to do exactly that—starting with the rounds of drink.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Pascal
“Are you sure you don’t want to work it out with Court?” Curie asks across the dinner table. We’re eating late because she and Joe had a meeting with their realtor—the old lady finally decided to sell—and got caught in traffic on the way home. Not that it matters. I don’t have much appetite. I only eat because I have to and because I know it’s going to worry Curie and Joe more if I don’t.
“Doubtful. Sorry I’m here like this.” Joe certainly can’t want a depressed sister-in-law moping around and ruining the newly wedded bliss phase of his marriage. And I bet Curie doesn’t want me borrowing all her clothes, even if we’re the same size, or using up all her crazy-expensive face creams.