Page 32

“Well, maybe this is the way to do it. Maybe using a matchmaker is the only way I can find someone who will look past my career and see me.” The words are raw, something I didn’t realize I needed to say until they were out.

“What are the terms?” Owen asks, picking up a fork to start on his eggs the waitress sets down in front of him.

“It’s a docuseries on the process of matchmaking. I’ll have to fill out the test that helps match the couples and then go on several dates while they film it all.”

“Send me the contract before you sign anything,” Miles says. “I’ll look at them for you and make sure you’re not bound to marry any of them. Unless you want to, that is.”

“Thanks, man,” I say, settling back into my seat.

Jack snorts. “Isn’t that Dave’s job?”

Shaking my head, I say, “Dave is great for a lot of things, but the fine print is not his specialty.”

“I could do a better job than that guy does,” Spencer says. “I still have so many contacts from my acting days.”

“What are you talking about?” Owen says, laughing. “I thought you were still acting.”

“Not as much anymore. I’m kind of liking this work-from-home setup I have going.” Spencer leans back in his chair and grins.

The waitress brings out the rest of the food and I smile when she sets down the meatlover’s omelet. The guys must’ve ordered it for me since that’s my go-to meal whenever we hit a diner.

Once we finish dinner, we all walk out, chatting in smaller groups. Owen slaps me on the back and says, “I missed you, man. I’m glad you made it out tonight.”

“I haven’t been gone that much. You know how the postseason gets.”

“Well, not personally, as every time I try to skate on the ice I end up face planting. But I’ll take your word for it.” Owen laughs at what is probably a surprised expression on my face. He’s always been good at pointing out the literal stuff.

“Right,” I say, shaking my head.

“What are you feeling about the whole matchmaking thing? Do you think you’ll do it?”

With a shrug, I say, “I think so. I mean, seeing Miles and Dani these past few months has been good, but hard, like, after all I’ve accomplished in my life, I’m still missing something.”

“A girl isn’t going to solve all your problems, Trey,” he says, giving me a nudge in the shoulder with his fist.

“Tell me that when Riley dumps you,” I say, thinking of his long-time girlfriend. She’s also in the nursing profession and they might even be worse than Miles and Dani in the PDA department.

Owen stuffs his hands into his pockets and glances down at the ground. “Actually, she broke up with me the night I got home. Something about having space gave her time to think about our relationship.”

I blink several times, feeling like a cartoon character blindsided by a shocking revelation. And this is definitely shocking.

“Why didn’t you say anything about it when we were in there?” I ask, gesturing toward the door.

“I’m still processing it. It’s been two days and I still can’t get her words out of my brain. I’ve analyzed every inch of our relationship and still can’t figure out what went wrong.”

The man looks like he’s being held up by a couple of sticks and a strong wind will blow him over.

I lean in for a bro-hug and say, “I’m sorry, man. I thought you two were going to make it.”

“Me too. I picked out a ring and everything.”

I throw my hands in the air. “When were you going to tell me?”

“When I needed your help to come up with an amazing proposal. But that will have to wait for now.”

“So, what about your job? I mean, don’t you two work the same shifts?”

Owen’s lips press into a fine line. “Yeah, well, it seems she asked to be switched to another shift and department. And several of the other nurses were talking about it when I walked by. Apparently, she’s dating one of the attending doctors now.”