[Dating by Design 02.0] Statistically Improbable

by Jennifer Peel

“Probably. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. I should have brought you some water.”

  He took a few deep breaths. “I’m fine.”

  “Okay.” I decided to lie back on the soft grass and watch the few wispy clouds swirl above me.

  He lay back down and joined me. His handsome head turned my way. “Do I hand over my man card now, or do you have any more fun in store for the day?”

  My head turned toward him. Our faces were only inches apart. Too close, too intimate, but again, I didn’t want to turn away. “I’m sure I could think of something.”

  “I bet you could.”

  “You don’t have anything to prove to me. And if you did, you might be in trouble.” I gave him my best wicked grin.

  I expected a snappy comeback or a smirk, but instead he reached up and tucked some sweat dampened hair behind my ear. “Why do I believe you?”

  Chapter Eleven

  I almost kissed him. Lying there so close together, his gentle touch and the way his eyes penetrated mine had me not thinking straight. And it seemed so natural. If he hadn’t abruptly sat up, I would have.

  I wonder if he knew. He was on the quiet side as we walked back to his place. “I’m going to need you to stage a breakup scene with me. I need to restore my reputation.”

  That caught me off guard. “What about Leann?”

  “I think you turned her off for good. I can get another fake girlfriend.”

  “Then you don’t need me to stage anything, just bring the new woman around.” I picked up my pace.

  “That could take a while. I can’t pick just anyone to play my girlfriend. I have standards.”

  “Well, I’m out, so you better find someone quick. Or who knows how many women you may lose the chance to be with in the meantime.” His apartment complex was in view, thank goodness. Feelings of anger and jealously were brewing beneath the surface.

  “What’s that tone?”

  “I don’t have a tone.”

  “Believe me, darlin’, you do. It sounds a lot like the lecture you gave me on Monday.”

  I stopped and looked up at him with furor. “I did not lecture you.”

  “It sounded an awful lot like a lecture.”

  “You’re a grown man. You can do whatever you want with whomever you like. I don’t care. I’m not your mother, certainly not your girlfriend. Heck, I don’t even know if we’re friends or why we’re having this conversation.” I didn’t run, but I walked as fast and furious as I could.

  “You sound like you care to me.” He jogged beside me.

  “Well, I don’t.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “Why does it matter to you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  That stopped me in my tracks. We stood staring at one another. Did he feel the heat too?

  “I’m going to head home. Thanks for running with me.”

  “Why do you keep skirting this topic with me?”

  “Because I barely know you. And it isn’t my place to judge how you live your life.”

  “But you are judging me.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  He arched his eyebrow.

  “Maybe I am. I was just hoping that all guys weren’t like my ex-boyfriend, but I guess I was wrong.”

  “Lucas?”

  I stepped back, surprised he knew his name and remembered him. “Yeah.”

  “What was his problem?”

  “According to him, nothing. It was all me.” I turned around and headed for my truck. The wind had started up and I was getting chilled. I rubbed my arms with my hands. My body always seemed to cool way down after a workout.

  “Do you want to come in and warm up?”

  “Are you inviting me into your apartment?”

  “No.”

  “I would have said no anyway. Laundry and grocery shopping call. I’ll see you later.”

  He took my hand. “We’re friends, right?”

  I looked down at our hands. They felt too good together. “Maybe friendly coworkers who made a really dumb mistake pretending to be something they’re not.”

  “I don’t think they make a status for that on Facebook.”

  “Are you on Facebook?”

  “Hell no.”

  I pulled away from him. It was harder than it should have been. “See you Monday.” I headed for my truck

  “So you’re breaking up with me?” Why couldn’t he just say goodbye?

  “It’s what you wanted, isn’t it? You can tell all the ladies in your building you broke up with me. I would hate for you to feel emasculated.” This time I quickened my pace in the escape and he didn’t stop me. But he was still outside watching me when I drove past the building entrance to exit visitor parking. He raised his hand to wave goodbye.

  I drove off feeling ridiculous, but at least now we were done with the short-lived charade. I was now more than ever determined to graduate and find a new job. Even though I liked my job and it paid well, it wasn’t my dream. And Zander was definitely not my dream, no matter what my body said. It didn’t matter that every time he touched me or looked at me my body sang. It was fine, though. I was going to stay away from him. No more dropping off cookies and candy.

  ~*~

  I needed to find myself some nice church boy, but I was afraid they no longer existed. I went to church on Sunday anyway. Mrs. Marshall insisted on it. She wanted Lana and I to plan the bridal shower after lunch at her home. It felt weird to plan a bridal shower with a girl still in high school, not to mention for my boss I hardly knew. But Mrs. Marshall was persuasive and I loved weddings and a good love story. And Kenadie and Jason definitely had a good one.

  Jason seemed like a decent, standup guy. Maybe he had a brother, or friends other than Zander. Or maybe when I quit Binary Search, I would be able to afford the service. There were some guys I was pretty compatible with, but there was a no dating the clients policy in place for obvious reasons. Even though Zander broke it by dating Brooke. Why couldn’t I quit thinking about him?

  I knew having lunch at Mrs. Marshall’s might involve seeing Zander, but we worked together, so avoiding him wasn’t a possibility at the moment. I didn’t bother to ask her if he was coming. I knew that would only fuel her obvious need to throw us together. She needed to get over that. We were statistically and irrevocably improbable.

  I dressed up pretty, though, just in case Mr. Right walked into church. You never knew. The weather was nippy, so I wore a cute plaid skirt, with a form-fitting turtleneck and some great black leather boots I had snagged on clearance over the summer. I had been waiting for the perfect time to wear them and today was the day.

  I walked into the quaint church and headed for the Marshall clan. The seating was different this time. Rick and Lana were sitting on the same row as everyone else. I didn’t see Renee or her sons. I wondered if trouble was brewing again for them. I hoped not. They seemed to really love each other as far as I could tell, but I couldn’t imagine it was easy when children and exes were involved.

  Mrs. Marshall sat between Lana and Rick near the aisle, Jason and Kenadie were snuggled together on the far end. I felt awkward sitting next to Rick, but Mrs. Marshall insisted I sit with them. Everyone gave me smiles, but I think even Rick felt awkward. He gave me as much room as he could on the crowded pew.

  The awkwardness had only begun. Zander showed up. Zander, who claimed to only go to church on Easter and Christmas, and only then because Mrs. Marshall made him. Everyone looked as stunned as I felt seeing him there. Whoa, did he clean up well. He wore his dress slacks and shirt like they were specifically made to grace his body.

  “Zander, what a sweet surprise.” Mrs. Marshall placed her hand over her heart like a good ol’ Southern woman. “Everyone move in so there’s room for him.”

  Unless he was going to sit on someone’s lap, that wasn’t going to work. I’m sure Kenadie would volunteer to be closer to Jason, but propriety called.

  I stood up. “I’ll move to t
he row behind.” That would be more comfortable for Rick and me.

  “No, dear. We can all fit.”

  “Momma, we’re already packed in here,” Kenadie was the voice of reason.

  I scooted past a smug Zander.

  “I’ll sit in the row behind.” He gave me his usual smirk.

  “I got it.”

  Zander made like he was going to take my place, and had almost sat all the way down before he popped up. “I better sit with Meg. I would hate for her to get lonely.”

  “You’re such a good boy,” Mrs. Marshall praised him.

  “I’m fine, really, there’s no need.”

  Mrs. Marshall turned around. “Now, dear, we can’t have you sitting by yourself.”

  Kenadie caught my eye and gave me a sympathetic smile. “Jason and I will move.”

  Mrs. Marshall gave her daughter such a look. “That makes no sense at all.” She turned back toward me. “Scoot down, dear.”

  I didn’t dare disobey. I had heard that Southern mommas had this wicked persuasive power, and it was all true. I slid down the wooden pew and Zander immediately filled the spot. I don’t think he could have grinned any bigger. Once Mrs. Marshall was satisfied and turned back around, I slid down a little more.

  Zander scooted closer and laid his arm across the back of the pew. “Don’t be shy, darlin’.”

  “Put your arm down.” I spoke in hushed tones.

  “Why?” He wasn’t quite as quiet as me.

  I glared at him. “Because it looks like we’re together.”

  He shrugged. “People can think what they want.”

  “Really? Weren’t you the one worried about your playboy reputation being ruined yesterday? By the way, how did all the women take it when you told them you broke up with me?”

  “Haven’t mentioned it yet.”

  Huh. I faced forward, waiting for the pastor to work his magic on my soul, or at the very least help me to not think about the man who sat too close and smelled like heaven. It didn’t help when he whispered in my ear, “You look good.”

  I cracked a small smile, but did my best not to look at him because he looked good too.

  He refused to be ignored. “You’re supposed to return the compliment.” Each whisper felt like a warm blanket wrapped around me.

  I faced him and his gorgeous face. “Why are you here? I thought church wasn’t your thing.”

  He shrugged. “I was bored and all my friends are here, so I thought what the hell.”

  “Nice.” I tried focusing back on the pulpit. Where was the pastor?

  “You still didn’t tell me how fine I look.”

  “Do I need to?”

  “You bruised my ego yesterday, so yes.”

  “Is that even possible?”

  He chuckled under his breath. “I like you, Meg.”

  I nudged him with my elbow. “You look handsome.”

  “I was hoping for something more along the lines of hot.”

  The pastor had impeccable timing. He approached the pulpit and greeted his congregation.

  Zander leaned in dangerously close. I could feel his warm breath against my neck. It made me have sinful thoughts in the house of worship. “I’m waiting,” he whispered.

  I rolled my eyes.

  “You do that so well.”

  I met his penetrating gaze. “You need to pay attention.”

  “Oh, I am.” His look went through me.

  I faced forward, doing my best to pretend he wasn’t focused solely on me or that he didn’t turn me on in a way that I’d never felt before. It didn’t help that Mrs. Marshall kept glancing back at us, obviously pleased at the scene. Didn’t she know what kind of man he was? He didn’t have long-term relationships and he clearly didn’t date women like me. This was all a show for him. I had seen him behave the same way toward Kenadie.

  Kenadie’s looks didn’t help either. They bordered on pensive and troubled. Each time her gaze lingered on us, I tried to put more distance between Zander and myself, but he wasn’t having it. It was like a game to him. I was so busy worrying and paying attention to what everyone around me was doing, I didn’t get anything out of the sermon. And it left me no time to look around to see if Mr. Right had come.

  When the service ended, Mrs. Marshall jumped up like a woman half her age. It was impressive. She clapped her hands. “Time to head back to the house. We have lots of planning to do after lunch.” Why did I feel like she was staring at me with a look that said, don’t even think about not coming? How did she know I was thinking of how to get out of lunch? She was good.

  I found Zander by my side as I walked out to my truck. “I thought that was never going to end,” he complained.

  “Nobody made you come.”

  He placed his hand on the small of my back as we walked out the door. “It wasn’t all bad.”

  “You know you’re giving Mrs. Marshall the wrong idea about us, right?”

  “I like to make her happy.”

  “What a saint you are.”

  He laughed out loud in the cool fall air.

  Why did I find myself loving that sound?

  Chapter Twelve

  There I was at the dining room table with Mrs. Marshall and her granddaughter, Lana, after a delicious lunch of cheesy potato soup in bread bowls. I missed homemade meals that I didn’t have to make myself. Lana was a senior in high school and every bit as gorgeous as her aunt Kenadie. I bet she had boys chasing her left and right, especially since she was sweet as could be. I loved her Southern drawl and the way she said Nana. I could tell her grandma enjoyed it too. She was obviously the favorite.

  “I think we should do a Christmas theme since they’re getting married during the holidays,” Lana suggested.

  I nodded my approval. This was really her thing, and she knew her aunt better than me.

  “I love it.” Mrs. Marshall tapped Lana’s nose.

  I pulled up my Pinterest account on my phone and typed in Christmas Themed Bridal Showers. A ton of ideas popped up. “We could do a hot chocolate and s’mores bar?”

  “Oooh, yeah,” Lana agreed.

  Kenadie walked in all smiles with her hair slightly messed up. No need to wonder why. “Please, no games. I hate shower games.”

  “Kennie, you’re taking all the fun out of it. You shoo and leave us to it.”

  Kenadie rolled her eyes, muttering something about fifty-five more days before walking off. Her mom was a force to be reckoned with.

  I wanted to help Kenadie out. “What if we did something like a craft instead? Maybe decorated ornaments that could be given to Kenadie and Jason?”

  Mrs. Marshall’s eyes lit up. “You are the sweetest genius ever.”

  I didn’t know about that, but hey, I’d take it. “What do you think, Lana?” I didn’t want to overstep my bounds.

  “I love it. I think Aunt Kenadie will too.

  The house phone rang in the distance. Mrs. Marshall popped up. “Let me answer that. I’ll be right back.”

  I scooted closer to Lana and showed her a picture on my phone. “What do you think of these invitations? I could probably copy the design.” It was gold and sparkly with a touch of pink, kind of like the wedding colors.

  “I really like those.” She was easy to please.

  “Do you know the date?”

  “I think Nana said December 17th.”

  That was cutting it close to Christmas, but this wasn’t my shindig. “Do you have a list of who we should invite?”

  Lana grinned. “Aunt Kenadie doesn’t have that many friends, but my nana is inviting every woman she knows.”

  “I bet that doesn’t make your aunt happy.”

  “Not at all, but Nana is Nana.”

  Zander decided to grace us with his presence. “Don’t forget to invite me.”

  “Boys can’t come.”

  I loved how Lana called him a boy. “Definitely no boys allowed.” I smiled at Zander.

  He threw himself in the chair next to me.
“I’m all man.”

  “Questionable, but those aren’t allowed either. That’s what bachelor parties are for.”

  “Why would I want to hang out with a bunch of dudes?”

  Lana giggled.

  “Don’t encourage him, honey.” I squeezed her hand.

  “All Marshall women love me. They can’t help themselves,” Zander bragged.

  “We just think you’re funny,” Lana knocked him down.

  “I like you.” I smiled at Lana.

  “You ladies are all talk.” Zander leaned into me. “But seriously, are you almost done in here? The game is about to start.”

  Shivers involuntarily went down my spine, causing me to shake and Zander to smirk. “It’s going to be a while.”

  He stood up. “Fine. I’ll keep the couch warm for you.”

  I rolled my eyes as he walked away.

  Lana looked between Zander’s retreating figure and me. “Are you and Zander dating?”

  “Goodness, no.”

  “He’s acting like he used to around Aunt Kenadie. I think he really liked her.”

  “You think so?”

  She shrugged. “Yeah, but I don’t think she ever liked him that way.”

  “She and Jason seem really happy together.”

  “They are. I can’t wait to be in love like that.”

  “You’ve got plenty of time.”

  “That’s what Aunt Kenadie says. She didn’t like my last boyfriend. After we broke up, she told me to stay away from boys until I was thirty.”

  I laughed. “That’s good advice.” Maybe I should take it. It was only four years away.

  “My nana thinks it’s terrible.”

  “I could see that.”

  “I think she wants you and Zander to be together.”

  “I could see that too, but guys like Zander don’t want girlfriends or wives. And I’m too good for him.”

  She giggled. “You never know, though. Aunt Kenadie said she would never date or get married. I think when you meet the right person, things change, people change.”

  “You’re pretty smart for someone your age.”

  She smiled her beautiful smile. “Maybe.”

  Mrs. Marshall returned and we finished planning the shower. There was a lot to be done in the next several weeks, but I was looking forward to it. Mrs. Marshall was filling a void in my life that I knew was missing, but sometimes I felt it more acutely than at others. I missed my mom now more than ever. And home.