See Me After Class(76)

“She’s annoyingly persistent,” Stella says.

“I don’t think you know Jason,” Gunner cuts in, taking a seat at the outdoor table. “He created the term annoyingly persistent.”

Jason smiles gleefully at me, the large brute of a man entirely too adorable for his own good.

“You’re proud of that?” I ask him.

“Very. I take my annoying habits to heart. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without them.” Jason tilts his drink toward me and then sips from the can. And I have to admit it, I might have started this party feeling pretty upset from the conversation with Arlo, but spending time with Jason has cheered me up, even if he acts like an emotional idiot.

“How about this? We both agree we have passion for P and P and leave it at that?” I say.

He mulls it over, giving the pact some serious thought, making a show of it. At this point, I wouldn’t expect anything less from him. “I guess I can agree on that, under one condition.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“You tell me—right here, right now—who is your Mr. Darcy?”

I roll my eyes. “As if that’s even a question. Colin Firth.”

“God, I knew I liked you. If only Kiera Knightley was Elizabeth when Colin was Mr. Darcy. Talk about dream cast.”

“My heart would have been moved.” I laugh.

“Mine too.” Jason studies me and then leans forward. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Uhh . . .

Dottie chimes in, tapping his ring finger. “I understand your passion has overcome you, but remember, you’re married.”

Jason huffs and turns toward his wife. “Not for me. Jesus. You think I worked as hard as I did to win you over just to throw it away like that?” Jason looks at me. “No offense.”

“None taken.”

“I was thinking she’d be perfect for Walker.”

“Walker Rockwell?” Gunner asks just as Arlo and Romeo join the group. Lindsay and Dylan are late, so we’re waiting to break out the badminton until they get here.

“Yeah,” Jason says.

“Walker, as in . . . the catcher for the Chicago Bobbies? Your rival team?” Romeo asks this time.

“Uh, yeah. Is there any other Walker I might know?”

Gunner and Romeo both give me a glance and then turn back to Jason. “She’s too feisty for him.”

“Feisty is what he needs,” Jason says. “The guy is in need of some happiness in his life. Greer would be perfect.” Facing me, Jason asks, “How do you feel about blind dates?”

And just like that, I can feel Arlo’s heated gaze.

This just got exponentially more awkward.

“She loves them,” Stella answers for me, completely oblivious to the war playing out in my head. Only an hour ago I was being turned down by Arlo Turner. And now I’m being set up? With a professional baseball player, nonetheless.

Normally I’d be ecstatic, but I’m still feeling . . . blah about everything with Arlo.

I thought maybe I’d made more of an impact on him, that he’d consider the idea of a relationship, but he didn’t even flinch. He could not have distanced himself quicker.

Which means he isn’t right for me.

He’s not the man I should be spending my time or thoughts on.

“Do you love them?” Arlo asks standing from the right of the table, holding an IPA close to his chest.

My eyes connect with his, and I swear I spot a flash of vulnerability, but it’s gone before I have time to dissect it.

Clearing my throat, I say, “I’m not opposed to them, as long as the match is good.”

Arlo’s jaw clenches, and I realize he’s not happy about this.

Well, guess what, buddy? You had your chance. I’m worth more than a short-term, directionless fling.

With a renewed sense of courage, I say to Jason, “Tell me more about Walker.”





“What kind of game are you trying to play with me?” Arlo says when I set a few plates in the sink and rinse them off.

The rest of the group is outside playing badminton. Dylan and Lindsay are finally here, and they’re having a blast.

Watching Gunner with his son has surprised me. He’s fun and has a good head on his shoulders, but he morphs into a different person around Dylan, and it’s incredibly sweet to watch. And the look Dylan gives Gunner when he encourages him—God, my heart can’t take it.

“I’m not trying to play any games with you, Arlo. That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.”

“You spent half an hour talking about Walker. You’re telling me that was unintentional?”

“What does it matter?” I ask, turning toward him and gripping the edge of the counter. “You don’t want a relationship. I do. Walker apparently does, or at least something like it. Why shouldn’t I ask questions about a potential date?”

“It matters because I’ve had my mouth all over your pussy.”

I laugh. “Okay, so that means you’ve claimed me? Get a life, Arlo.” I push past him, but he grips my arm, halting me in place.

“I don’t have claim over anything you do. But be goddamn respectful in my house.”

I flash my eyes up to his. “Respectful? It’s not like I was humping the table, telling Jason to bring the meat to me now. I asked a few questions. And if we’re going to talk about being respectful, try not getting me off with a vibrator while our boss is only a few feet away.”