Page 101 of Wild Love

Oh, so it wasn't so much that it was his sister, but that he'd moved onto a different stage of his life, and Chance wasn't ready for it. "You could meet someone too. There's nothing stopping you."

Chance chuckled without any humor. "I can't make any kind of commitment because of my job. My parents' relationship was strained when my dad was working long hours. I saw what it did to my mom. Not to mention how much she worried about his safety and hid it from him."

My heart contracted for him. It was obviously something he'd thought about a lot, and it did nothing to crush my attraction to him. It only made me like him more. "We're not getting any younger."

"Scarlett mentioned something about you wanting to date."

"I haven't had much luck with the local men, so I'm throwing a wider net, getting onto an online dating site."

Chance's brows furrowed. "Those aren't exactly safe. How do you know if the men you meet are good guys?"

"I want a family and kids, and I can't wait forever." My parents were never home, and I didn't have an example of a healthy relationship, but I wanted the perfect family: the doting husband, the rambunctious kids filling my home with joy, and even the dog. I couldn't find anyone who wanted the same things I did and was attracted to me.

"Just be careful." Chance turned away as if he was going to leave. Then he snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot. The guys and I want to create a book club."

"I'm sorry. What did you say?" I couldn't' have heard him correctly. The library and the local book store sponsored numerous book clubs, but I couldn't remember any thirty-something men doing it.

"We need a dedicated time to meet and discuss books. Otherwise, we get to talking about work or women, something else. How do we do that?"

"You could schedule a meeting room in the library. There's a nice one with leather couches and a fireplace on the top floor. Then you could advertise for other members or keep it exclusive to you and your friends."

Chance nodded. "I think we'd like to keep it exclusive for now."

I raised a brow. "Are you worried about what people would say?"

He dropped his head slightly. "Maybe. I don't know."

I knew what kind of conclusions people made about those who preferred reading, say, to real life. But I suspected most women would find a men's book club sexy. "Let me know what date and time, and I'll reserve the room for you."

"If you'd help us with recommendations, that would be amazing too. I don't know what's good. I don't want the guys giving me a hard time because the book I pick is awful."

"I can do that." I was excited to have another reason for us to see each other. I worried that after Scarlett decided to stay, we wouldn't have a reason to meet up anymore or talk on the phone.

"You're the best, Marigold." Chance tapped the roof of the car. "You have a good evening."

"Thanks. You too," I said as he closed the door, enclosing me in the warm space that now spelled like him. The way he'd said I was the best told me he only saw me as a friend. He didn't experience the quickening of his heartbeat or find it difficult to breathe when he was in my presence.

I was a librarian. I preferred reading to going out, and I enjoyed devoting my time to various charities. I wasn't exactly someone men were instantly attracted to.

I sighed as I backed up the car and waved at Chance. He'd wait for me to exit the parking lot before heading to his cruiser. It was just the kind of guy he was. Too bad he'd never be mine.