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

by Jenny Proctor

“Hey, how’s your neighbor?” I pause, my gaze narrowing. “Gracie?” “Yeah, man. I think I’m starting to wear her down. She’ll be having dinner with me before the end of the month.” My jaw clenches, and I rub a hand across my beard. “I highly doubt that.” Eli’s eyes widen, then he grins. “Oh, I see how it is. You’re making a move yourself.” He holds his hands up and backs up a few steps. “I can respect that.” I don’t know if I’m making a move, exactly, but Gracie has been on my mind almost nonstop since last night. I was even distracted falling asleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about whether she had enough water to drink before she went to bed to avoid feeling hungover this morning. “Oh, by the way,” Eli adds, “Alec wanted me to tell you he volunteered you for two more skills clinics with the youth league next month.” “Two?” “Yeah, man. Captain’s orders. One just for goalies, then a second one next month for the younger kids. He knew you’d say yes.” “Because you’re a sucker,” Van says as he walks by, tape and hockey stick in hand. I wouldn’t say I’m a sucker, but Eli’s right about me saying yes. I usually do. My therapist tells me my desire to please is slightly hyperactive—something that probably traces back to wanting to impress a perpetually unimpressed father. Is it such a bad thing? That I’m always doing stuff to make other people’s lives easier? As far as I see it, there are worse ways to cope with family dysfunction. When it comes to the hockey team, saying yes t...