maybe one day Bailey will come around," I say.
"Maybe," he says with a laugh, "but until then, let's talk about you.”
"How about we don't? You need to get ready, Billy. I have to be in the office early. I skipped out yesterday a little bit early."
"Right, for your date," he says with a tease.
"Whatever," I say. "Do you need a ride home from work tonight?”
"Yeah. My boss got me an extra shift. I told him I was looking for some more hours. He's a really good guy. It seems like he always follows through."
"That's sweet," I say. "All right, sure. I'll pick you up at the car wash at five, then?"
"Yeah, that sounds perfect," he says. "Thanks, sis. I know it's a lot."
"It's okay. One day you'll buy yourself a car. Maybe this job will give you enough money to do it."
He grins, grabbing a gallon of milk and pouring himself a bowl of cereal. "Yeah, Dad said he would buy me one, but I want to do it on my own. He’s done enough for us.”
“That’s thoughtful, and I really don’t mind being your personal Uber,” I say. “Especially since Dad's working a lot. He's always on the road lately.”
"Do you think he ever dates?" Billy asks, lifting a spoonful of Cheerios.
I laugh. "Oh my God, we are so not having this conversation. Talking about your dating life and my dating life is one thing, but our father?”
Billy smirks. "What? He's only like forty-five years old."
"Please. No. Just don't," I say, laughing and leaving the kitchen. I need to get ready for the day myself.
When I get to work, I'm slightly buoyed by my easy-going morning with my brother. For an eighteen-year-old boy, he sure does seem like he has a good head on his shoulders.
When I get into the office, Josh, my boss, is pouring a cup of coffee and offering me a muffin.
"Jessa make these?" I ask.
"Yeah, of course," he says.
He's recently married and apparently head over heels for his new wife. I mean, who wouldn't be? Jessa is adorable, and a guy like Josh deserves the world. He's an amazing boss and a really great guy, and it seems like he has a really good head on his shoulders too… which makes me think maybe every guy I know has a good head on his shoulders after all, because it sure seems like Kaden does too.
I know I need to reply to his late-night text. I just don’t know what to say…
"So, did you go on that date?" Josh asks.
"Yeah, I did, but…” I shake my head. "I don't think it's going to work out."
"Why not? Is there something wrong with him?"
"Well, the guy from the dating app was a jerk… but then this other man showed up. And he was … well, to be honest, he seems a little too good to be true."
"What do you mean?" Josh asks, laughing and breaking his muffin in two.
"Well, he's really nice, and patient, and funny. He likes me a lot. He gave me space. He didn't pressure me. He paid for dinner. He likes guacamole, and he's really good at trivia."
"Okay. I'm waiting for the red flag," Josh says with another laugh. "I mean, come on. What are you looking for?"
"I don't know. Ugh.” I groan, dropping my head into my hands, "I'm an idiot. I just got freaked out last night. It was moving fast, and I wondered if it was all too good to be true."
Josh smiles. “Do you have a picture of this guy?"
"Yeah. Look how cute he is," I say, handing him my phone.
I show him the photo of Kaden and me at Trivia Night.
"This is the guy you went out with?" he says, shocked.
"Yeah, I know. Isn't the picture cute?"
"No, that's not what I mean. This is my friend, Kaden. We’re CrossFit buddies."
"What do you mean? You know him?"
"Yeah," Josh laughs. "He's amazing. He has a whole business — he’s like a self-starting millionaire."
My jaw drops. “He's a millionaire?"
Josh laughs. "Yeah. And the best part is he’s really humble."
"Apparently," I say, biting my nail and feeling like a fool. "I totally freaked out last night and had him me drive home."
Josh gives me a smile. "Hey, the thing about Kaden is he's not an asshole. If you're going to look for a second chance with anybody, it's him."
"You think?"
"I know," Kaden says.
"Well, I do have his number,” I say with a smile.
"Give him a call," Josh says. "Give love a chance. It