Absolutely Not in Love (Sweater Weather, #7; Appies, #2)

by Jenny Proctor

“I just don’t understand why people can’t meet the old-fashioned way anymore,” I say. “Browsing in a bookstore or picking out oranges at the grocery store. Why does it always have to start on the internet?” “Because it’s hard to meet people when everyone is so glued to their phones,”

“Gracie, any man who doesn’t listen isn’t worth a look, much less a single minute of your time.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I say. “I don’t have plans to turn into a puck bunny or anything. But if I end up falling in love with him, I’ll definitely start going to his games.”

When Felix pulls away, he holds my gaze, his eyes bright. “Challenge accepted,” he says,

“What just happened?” I say, and she starts to laugh. “I think he just told you he plans to make you fall in love with him,” Jadah said.

I’m…falling in love with her. The realization hits me with peaceful certainty, spreading through me with comforting warmth. My grandmother used to tell me the story of how she met my grandfather, how quickly they got engaged. It was a ridiculous story—less than two weeks from when they met to when he proposed—but she always told me, sometimes you just know. I couldn’t imagine how that was possibly true, but now, I believe it. I finally understand what she meant.

I’ve always justified my need to please because what bad can truly happen when I’m the only person who is impacted? So I’m generous. Who cares? But tonight, it impacted Gracie. And that can never happen again. She has to be my number one. And I have to trust that setting boundaries to respect that priority won’t make me a bad person. It will make me a better partner.