Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(38)

“Real love,” Nick added quietly. “Not what Mom and Dad have.”

“Maybe.” Aidan knew his voice sounded doubtful.

“There are good ones out there, you know. Del and Maya, for one. All the guys in town. Most of our friends are married and they seem to be doing okay.”

“I don’t see you running down the aisle.”

Nick laughed. “I believe it’s the woman who walks down the aisle, bro. We stand and wait.”

“Who are you waiting for?”

Nick picked up his beer. “Not a question that has an answer.”

Aidan wondered what that meant. Nick didn’t know or he wasn’t interested?

Nick pointed to the pile of split logs. “Are they helping?”

Aidan was tired. That was a good thing. Maybe he would sleep tonight instead of tossing restlessly. “I’ll let you know.”

“How long are you going to do without?”

“Shelby and I have a deal for six months.”

Nick whistled. “That’s a long time. Especially for you. Until now wasn’t your personal best of doing without maybe fifteen minutes?”

Aidan put on his gloves. “Funny. Very funny.”

“You do like the ladies.”

“And they like me back. I can hold out that long. I need some things to change.”

“And Shelby’s not an option because you’re friends?”

“Right. I don’t want to screw things up.” Aidan paused. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” Nick looked at him. “Most married couples would say they’re friends as well as husband and wife, and they sleep together.”

“Good for them. Now leave me alone. I have logs to split.”

Nick laughed. “Go for it. Charlie and I are happy to watch you work out your frustration. When you’re done here, I have a house that needs painting.”

“Go to hell.”

Nick was still laughing when Aidan split the next log.

*

THE SECOND MEETING of the single friends—and just friends—group went as badly as the first, with the added thrill of exes circling each other like wary wolves guarding territory.

“Why do they have to date?” Shelby asked, watching two people who had been making out by the end of the ice-skating party now glare at each other from opposite ends of the bowling alley. “The rules were very clear. Singles being friends. Not kissing, not sleeping together, being friends. Why is that so hard?”

Aidan walked over to pick up the black bowling ball he’d chosen. He supported it with his left hand as he walked to the end of the lane.

“Biology,” he offered. “Men and women are meant to procreate. They’re just doing their bit to pass on their DNA.”

“There’s the human condition reduced to its most basic form,” she teased. “Your science teacher would be proud.”

He laughed, then took several steps as he swung his right arm. The ball came forward and raced down the lane before smacking into the pins. All of them fell.

“Congratulations, Aidan,” a woman called.

“Looking good,” another said.

They were both sitting with Charlie. The little white dog seemed perfectly at home at the bowling alley. Shelby was sure having him there was a violation of several city ordinances, but so far no one had complained. In fact nearly every woman in the place had stopped by to pet the little dog.

Shelby told herself it was great that Charlie was getting so much attention. He was a handsome, friendly little guy so it made sense that people found him appealing. On another day, she would probably tease Aidan that his dog was a chick magnet. Only right now she didn’t find the situation very funny.

Maybe she was tired. There was no other reason for her to mind the way the women came over and chatted with Aidan while they petted Charlie. It was nice that people liked him and his dog. Even without the dog, he was handsome with his broad shoulders and easy smile.

He looked especially good today, she thought absently. The way his jeans fit him. He had a really good butt and bowling only emphasized that. Even his silly rented bowling shoes didn’t take anything away from his appeal. She’d noticed she wasn’t the only one paying attention when it was his turn.

She watched the electronic display adjust the score for Aidan’s latest strike. Their team was in the lead, but somehow even that didn’t make her feel better. She felt funny. No, restless maybe. Something was wrong—she simply couldn’t say what.

She walked over to the padded bench, where Charlie was holding court. He wagged his tail when she approached. When she sat down, he settled next to her, resting his head on her lap and staring into her eyes.

“Hey, sweetie,” she murmured, stroking him. “Having fun?”

“I hope he is, because I’m not.” The speaker was a striking redhead named Amanda. “Rob and I lasted all of two weeks before breaking up. He wasn’t as nice as I thought.”

“Oh, I like him fine,” a pretty blonde said with a smile.

“Wait until he gets you into bed,” the redhead warned. “Once he’s notched his headboard, he’s done.”

Allison, the blonde, looked slightly startled at the information. She glanced at a team of guys. “Really?”