Page 5 of Unexpected

I rolled my eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you, dickweed? I’m not going.”

Hunter was spending the summer in New York, opening a new location for a business he’d started with a couple friends from business school. The four of them worked hard, but they liked to play hard too. And I knew Hunter would be living the life out there this summer.

He backed away from me, holding his arms out wide as he neared the entrance to the kitchen. “Fine.” He smirked. “More for me.”

I shook my head, marveling at how different the two of us were. We’d been best friends since fifth grade. Hunter had been with me through everything. Had stood by my side when everyone else left—just him and my parents. Well, and Sam. But I hadn’t met him until later, until after the shit hit the fan.

“I don’t need to go to New York to get laid,” I said, dodging a flip-flop he’d tossed in my direction. “There are plenty of girls on campus to choose from.”

“Yet, you never bring any home.”

I lifted a shoulder. What could I say? “They all seem so young.”

Hunter scoffed. “Dude. You’re twenty-six. Which means they’re like…what? Five, maybe six years younger? Younger—and hot. What more could you want?”

“I’m not interested.”

“Well, what kind of woman are you interested in?” I thought he was genuinely curious until he said, “I mean, if you’re into dudes, that’s cool too. I’m not, but hey—more power to you.”

I rolled my eyes, turning my attention back to the sandwich I was making. “I want a woman who’s confident, smart, sexy.”

“Mm-hmm.” He’d crossed his arms over his chest.

“A woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. And those,” I said, giving him a pointed look, “aren’t the types of girls I’ve met on campus.”

I had an image of the woman I wanted, though I didn’t know her name. Didn’t know anything about her other than the fact that she had a daughter who attended the same school as Theo. She was sophisticated, self-assured, and sexy as hell. I’d only seen her a few times—at school plays and such, but the image of her stuck in my mind.

Hunter waved his hand in front of my face. “Earth to Preston.”

“What?”

“Wait…do you want an older woman? Is this because you want to be a kept man?” he asked, amusement coloring his tone.

“No. Money has nothing to do with it. I’d happily support my wife.”

Not that I really had much to support a hypothetical spouse with. Not yet, anyway. Between tuition and rent, I was lucky to be staying afloat. I had a scholarship, but it wasn’t enough to cover everything. And I refused to ask my parents for money—not after all they’d shelled out for me already. As it was, they’d be working for the rest of their lives. Something I hoped to change.

“Whoa. Whoa.” His eyes went wide. “Back up. Marriage?”

“Yeah. One day.” Hopefully sooner rather than later. “I want to get married, have kids. Don’t you?”

His eyes went wide. “No way. No fucking way.”

“Well, I do. I know how short life can be. I don’t want to waste it chasing meaningless relationships. I want more.”

His expression softened. “I know. I just think that—” He blew out a puff of air. “That you were forced to grow up so fast, you kind of skipped straight to adulthood.”

I nodded, knowing he had a good point. Ididgrow up fast. That’s what cancer did to you.

“I don’t want you to miss out on anything life has to offer,” he added. “Besides, I could use a wingman I can trust.”

I smirked. “Nice try, but it’s not happening. Theo’s family offered me extra hours this summer, and I need them. Besides, I can’t bail on him.”

He rolled his eyes. “I still can’t believe my best friend’s a manny.”

“I’m not a ‘manny.’ I’m an in-home childcare provider,” I said.

“Call it what you want,” he said. “You’re a manny.”