Page 30 of The Do-Over Girl

“Nothing.” I wave a hand. “Nash and I will get along as professionals. If I want romance, there are plenty of hot guys. Also, nice guys. Like Steve Oliver. He’s been reading my novel as I write it and giving me some excellent pointers.”

“I’m glad you’re writing the novel you always wanted to write.” Her words are too careful and hardly enthusiastic.

I sit up. “But?”

“Is Steve Oliver really your type?”

I laugh. “No, I suppose he’s a bad example. It’s not like that between us. He’s mentoring me. We’re just friends.”

“Does he know that?”

“Why wouldn’t he? We haven’t… I haven’t flirted or…” I fall back against my chair and frown. “I’m not sure.”

She nods. “What does Nash think of him?”

“Nash tolerates him. He goes to great pains not to toy with Steve when he asks about the hockey team.”

Nikki snorts a laugh. “God, I’d love to be there for that conversation. Nash was always a sports snob, and in particular, a hockey snob.”

“I know. It’s kind of odd that he’s been so tolerant of Steve because Steve is kind of a literary snob, and you know how that should rub Nash the wrong way, right?”

“Oh, my God. We have to get them both out for dinner. I want to see them at the same table making conversation. Invite me over for dinner one night—Mrs. Pike won’t mind.”

“Charline would love it. Why does everyone call her Mrs. Pike?”

“Because…she insists?”

“I call her Charline all the time, and she doesn’t mind.”

“Maybe it’s because she was close to your mom after you left town.” She adds in a quiet voice, “Charline helped take care of your mom when she got sick.”