“He’s not black, though.” Jules cut me off. “So he can’t be a stallion. I mean, you can’t even call him an Italian stallion because he doesn’t even have black hair.” She paused for a second and then continued. “And I wouldn’t exactly call him fit, either.”
“I would definitely call him fit.” I thought about all the times I’d seen him in his baseball uniform in high school and sometimes at the pool during the summers. Jeff had a body to die for. I was positive he spent every waking hour that he wasn’t at work at the gym. He had abs that Chris Hemsworth would be jealous of and arm muscles that Arnold Schwarzenegger would give a pretty penny for.
“He’s okay, but if you’re really looking for a black stallion, there’s this guy I’m meant to go on a date with next week. I think his name is Boris, and whoa, he’s gorgeous. His dad is African and his mom is German, and he’s tall and dark and handsome and he has these green eyes and … what?”
“If you think he’s so handsome, why don’t you go on a real date him?”
“I’m dating your brother, remember?” Jules made a face. “Nolan’s already not happy that I’m still going on these dates for work.”
“Well, I’m not happy that you’re trying to hook me up to go on dates with men you don’t even know when you know I want to go out with Jeff.”
“But why Jeff?” Jules whined. “He’s absolutely horrible.”
“He’s not horrible,” I protested. “Why do you hate him so much?”
“I don’t hate him. I just don’t like him. He thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and he’s so controlling and annoying,” she ranted. “Come on, Betsy. You remember what he was like in high school. He walked through the corridors like he was some sort of king, and he teased us mercilessly.”
“Yes, but so did Nolan, and that didn’t stop you from falling for him.” I gave her a look. “And I can remember many times when Nolan said things that were completely douchey.” I put my hands on my hips and gave Jules a pointed look. She was being hypocritical judging Jeff when she was now dating his best friend.
“Ugh.” Jules made a face. “You’re right, of course, but let it be said that Jeff needs to really step up his game if he wants you.”
“I don’t know that he wants me at all …” I sighed. “That’s why I need your help.”
“What help do you need?” Jules looked at me with wide eyes. “And do you have alcohol? I need alcohol to get through this.”
“Jules!” I looked away from her. “You know what, it’s fine. If you don’t want to help, just forget it.”
“Oh, Betsy.” She sighed. “Get me a glass of merlot and let me sit down. I’m your best friend, of course, I’ll help you. I just think that I need to be inebriated to discuss you getting with Jeff.”
“Jules.” I rolled my eyes at her. “Did I say that when you wanted to get together with Nolan?”
“No.” She made a face. “You were very supportive and sweet.”
“Even though he’s my brother and he gets on my last nerve.”
“Well …” she mumbled then grinned. “I want to hear more about these red panties. Let me see them. Maybe I should get some for sexy time with Nolan.”
“Jules,” I groaned. “I don’t want to think about my brother doing things to you through crotchless panties.” I mock shuddered. “I don’t want to think of my brother doing things to you, period.” I headed toward the kitchen. “Let me go and get the wine.”
“And the panties.” She laughed. “Oh yeah, bring a third glass, Stella said she was going to be able to come over after all.”
“Oh, good.” I smiled. “She’ll be able to give me some advice.”
Stella was Jules’s younger cousin, and she was a man magnet. She looked like a model with her long dark hair and green eyes, but she actually owned a bookstore in town. Her personality was vivacious, flirty, and no-nonsense, and she always knew how to act with men. Even though, at twenty-four, she was two years younger than us, both Jules and I often went to her for advice.
Jules laughed. “Hey, I can give you some good advice as well.”
“Uh-huh.” I paused by the door. “Also, if anyone asks, it was your idea to drop the panties off at the police station.”
“Ugh,” she groaned. “I don’t even want to know, but I definitely need to see them now.”
“There’s really not much to see.” I laughed. “Okay, let me get the wine.” I continued toward the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” Jules called out as I grabbed three wineglass stems in one hand and an unopened bottle of pinot noir that Nanna had gifted me for Christmas from a winery she’d visited in Sonoma with some friends. She’d told me to save it for a special occasion, and I figured this was the moment to bust out the good bottle. I needed to convince Jules to help me win over Jeff without her putting up too much of a fight. As I headed back to the living room, I knew that I not only needed wine, I needed food as well.
“Are you guys hungry? I was thinking of ordering in,” I said as I walked back into the living room. “Hey, Stella, so great to see you.”
“Hey, Betsy,” She offered me a small wave and smile. “I’m starving, so I’m definitely up for some takeout. I was going to suggest we order from that new Indian place in town. Abby told me she ate their lunch buffet yesterday, and that it was amazing.”
“Sure, I’d be down to try it. Does that work for you, Jules?”
“Sure.” She nodded and grabbed the wine bottle from me. “I’m easy to please.”
“Is that what Nolan says?” Stella teased her cousin, and Jules went slightly red.
“Is that what Nolan says about what?” I
