I also learned why Gina and Emily thought that Kara and I were made for each other. It turns out that Kara had a very specific type. Her perfect man had to be tall, over six-foot; a leader, but not cocky. He also had to be smart and driven—no slackers need apply. Finally, he had to be able to date a strong, beautiful woman. Gina first picked me when she started dating Alan and he told her stories about me. She arranged for Emily to come to see me after a game. When I almost talked Emily out of her panties and didn’t make her feel bad about it when it didn’t happen, they knew I was the guy for their sister. They were fairly gloating that they’d played matchmaker.
They agreed to get us in a social situation and let the sparks fly. They hadn’t counted on Kara thinking I was some kind of poser when she met me in my Superman costume. Gina explained to Kara that what she saw was really me. It wasn’t until I took my shirt off that Kara believed her.
Kara was hooked when I refused to chase her. Emily was stunned because I’d put a full-court press on her, and with Kara I was indifferent. What Emily didn’t know was that I wanted Kara, and I didn’t want Emily. My choice not to make it easy for Kara was because I wasn’t ready, and because I knew if I made it easy, Kara would never take me seriously.
Kara hugged and kissed her sisters as we left. Her career was taking off, so she needed to make money while she could. Female models started young and usually had a limited number of years to make it. Very few were in demand past their late teens or early twenties.
We went back to my place, and I could tell the mood had been lost. She was already missing her family and mentally getting ready for her trip.
“Today was a lot of fun. Do you need to pack for your trip?”
“I would love nothing more than go another round, but you’re right, I need to get home and pack. I also need a good night’s sleep.”
I pulled her into my arms and just held her. She sighed and gave me a fierce hug. I kissed the top of her head.
“Get out of here before I drag you back to my room and have my way with you. When you get some free time, send me a text, and I’ll jump on video chat with you.”
“I will, and you keep me in the loop with football. I need to leave before I start crying. I know we just met, but I can already tell you’re special.” She was a little misty-eyed. “I’ll miss you. I’ll see you when I get back.”
Kara had nothing to worry about. Every time I looked at her, my knees got weak. Her eyes pierced my soul when I looked into them. Oh yes, she would see me when she got back.
Chapter 2 – A Committed Relationship?
Sunday November 3
AFTER KARA LEFT FOR her trip, I got a text from Tami to see if I was around. I jumped onto the video chat and saw Jennie Wesleyan’s smiling face.
“Hey, Good-Looking.”
“Jennie! This is a surprise. Where’s Tami?”
“I sort of hijacked her phone and PC. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Well, I see someone’s a little devious. You do know Tami’ll have your hide.”
Jennie shrugged it off. She was used to getting her way.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
She acted nervous.
“Jennie, what’s up? I can tell you have something to ask.”
She gave me a quick smile.
“I’m just worried that I might not be very popular in your eyes.”
“Jennie, I like you fine. Heck, my mom likes you. What happened was a misunderstanding. I think we both learned a lesson. Unless you plan on stranding me somewhere, I might be open to whatever it is you’re asking.”
“I promise not to leave you again.”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I need a date,” she explained.
She waited a moment to see my reaction. When it wasn’t negative, she hurried on.
“My cousin is having an engagement party, and my mom is trying to fix me up with Alistair Winston.”
“You’re kidding me, right? His name is really Alistair.”
“It’s better than that. He insists that we call him Alistair, not Al, but Alistair. He’s a pompous windbag, exactly what you would think of when you picture an aristocrat. He’s a spoiled trust-fund baby and makes my skin crawl when he tries to paw me.”
“Why not go stag?”
“No, Alistair will be there. My mother has matched us, and if she can get Alistair and me together, she’ll be pushing for an engagement. Mother doesn’t care if there’s no love. She’s more concerned about the match and what it looks like, as well as what Alistair’s family brings to the table, than about whether we’re even compatible. It’s all very Victorian, and my sister and I have worked hard to thwart my mother’s matchmaking plans.”
“So why me? I don’t fit into what your mother would consider an acceptable alternative. If she’s as determined as you say she is, I won’t be able to slow her down.”
Jennie bit her lip and wrinkled her nose.
“Please don’t think less of me for what I’m about to say. I really do think of you as a friend, and I don’t mean this as a slight, I just need to be honest with you. You’re right. We both know you don’t fit into what’s an acceptable match for me. You come from a small town and don’t have any money. God, that sounds terrible, but the reality is that with money comes privilege and responsibility; that’s hard to understand if you don’t have it. I’ve grown up in this environment, and don’t plan on leaving it.
“What makes you acceptable are a couple of things. The most important is that you aren’t after my money. You wouldn’t believe the number of boys who have chased my sister and me just for our bank balance. The next is that you’re a star athlete. With your talent, good looks, and charm, you have a tremendous earning potential.
“Put both of those together and it makes you barely acceptable. But what puts you over the top is my Uncle Teddy’s opinion of you. He’s been your biggest advocate since we went out. He told our family about you charming Lori Winnick. She’s been working on him for months to help with one of her charity projects. He said she rolled over him with your help. He talked to the Kentucky coaching staff about you and why they made you an offer. They liked your raw talent, but it was your leadership that sold them. Did you know that, because of that weekend, they have their best recruiting class, possibly ever? It’s ranked in the top fifteen in the nation right now. Uncle Teddy’s impressed, and that doesn’t happen often. My mother cannot ignore that kind of endorsement,” she said.
“Jennie, I thought a lot about you and your lifestyle after we went to the country club. I don’t fit in. The other problem is that I may have met someone this weekend.”
The spirit seemed to go out of her. This was a friend in need that I was letting down.
“Look, as long as we both know that we’re just friends, I’ll help you any way I can. When’s this party?” I asked.
“Next Sunday. I know you have a game down south Saturday. Would you mind if we sent a driver down and brought you up Saturday night, and you could stay with us? The party will go late, so you’ll miss your morning classes on Monday. Is that okay?”
“That should be okay. I need to ask my mom, but she should be fine with it. What do I need to wear?”
“Okay, now don’t get mad. This is where you have to accept that being my friend means that there are some benefits. Tami suggested that I get in touch with your friend Cindy to help with a shopping trip.”
I just shook my head.
“I’m pretty sure Cindy’d love to do that. I’m her personal Ken doll to dress up. Am I to assume you’re buying?”