I stared at Geoff talking across the table. I saw his lips moving but I had no clue what he was saying, as I had completely tuned him out. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Geoff was a great guy. He had classic good looks, blonde hair and blue eyes. He was a pediatric doctor, and had a sweet spirit about him.

Our meeting had been one of chance. It was early morning, mid-September, and I was out hiking, looking for something beautiful to photograph when I slipped and twisted my ankle. Geoff had been hiking a nearby trail and heard me cursing loudly. He’d literally come to my rescue, helping me get off of the mountain. I had never been more happy to see another person, let alone a good-looking man, in all my life. Lucky for me, he had a first-aid kit in his car and kindly wrapped my throbbing ankle, then handed me two aspirin to help with the pain. Thankfully it was my left foot, so I didn’t need it to drive myself home.

He asked for my number before we parted ways and now we’d been casually dating for about a month. So why was it that I didn’t feel anything more than friendship for him? Like I said, good looking, sweet, and a doctor to boot. Isn’t that what every little girl wished for in her prince charming? I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly was missing.

Thankfully, we weren’t alone. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Harper and Eli start laughing and took my cue from them, forcing a chuckle out. Geoff looked at me, smiling broadly, and I smiled sweetly back. The conversation continued around me and I responded on autopilot, nodding and smiling and laughing when it was appropriate, but my mind was completely checked out. I was still analyzing everything that was wrong with my so-called relationship.

He did and said all the right things. He opened doors for me, bought me flowers, texted for no reason what-so-ever. Bonus, he loved kids, which I wanted some day. He made me feel special. And yet…

“Gemma, do you mind if I pick out some more wine? Wanna help?” Harper’s higher pitch voice cut through my thoughts.

“Sure,” I smiled back at her. I pushed my chair away from the table and followed her into my kitchen.

“So?” She prompted, her brown eyes getting even wider in her pretty face as she pulled her blonde hair over her left shoulder.

“So, what?” I asked, scrunching my face quizzically, not sure what I had missed at the table that she was referring to.

“Gemma Elizabeth Montgomery, you don’t think I can totally tell you are completely checked out tonight? I know you way better than that. What gives?” She tilted her head as she leaned back onto the granite countertop of my island.

“Sorry, am I that obvious?” I felt like an idiot. I didn’t think anyone would notice.

“Only to me. I’ve known you forever and I know that spaced-out, unfocused look you get when you’re not really paying attention. What’s wrong?” I could tell she was genuinely concerned. She had been my best friend since early middle school.

“I don’t know.” I huffed quietly. “I’ve been seeing Geoff for almost a month now, and he’s a really great guy, but I just don’t think he’s the one for me…”

“You know I’ll fully support whatever decisions you make, and yeah, Geoff is a great guy. Eli and I both like him. But, we aren’t the ones dating him. If you don’t think he’s worth your time, then stop wasting his. I’m not trying to sound harsh when I say that. But, I can see how he looks at you. He thinks you guys have something special. If you don’t feel it, cut him free.” She shrugged.

“You know how much I hate hurting people. And, the truth is, I want us to have something special. I just can’t figure out what’s missing.”

“It’s only been a few weeks. Do you think you need to invest a little more time? Are you being too picky?” Harper knew me well enough to know that picky was my specialty.

I heaved a heavy sigh. “It’s been almost a month and… I don’t know. On paper, he’s perfect, but, something, something is missing. Maybe you’re right, maybe I’m being too picky and I should give it a little more time. Yes, I’m gonna take your advice.” I said it out loud to reaffirm my decision.

“Whoa, slow your roll.” Harper’s hands came up in a halt motion in front of her. “I didn’t say that exactly. Don’t base your decision on me. You’re the one who will have to live with whatever you decide. Go with your gut feeling.”

Suddenly, the voices in the next room over grew louder. We quickly grabbed another bottle of Malbec from my wine fridge and went to see what all the commotion was about. As we entered the room, I felt a real smile fill my face and my heartbeat shifted into double-time. Dark hair, gorgeous brown eyes, dimples and a perfect white toothed smile - Bastian.

Well, Baz and Mila, his latest play thing. I don’t say that with any venom, he’s just not the settling down type. He has a new girl on his arm every week. Harper, Eli, Bastian and I have all known each other forever, since long before high school. Harper and Eli have dated for as long as I can remember, whereas Bastian and I have always just been really good friends. In fact, he’s one of my best friends. He always knows how to bring a smile to my face and lighten my moods.

“Hey, Gemma!” He crossed the room to pull me into his panty-melting embrace. I inhaled deeply. He always smelled so good, a woodsy and citrus type combination.

“Hi, Baz. Mila.” I nodded to her from my spot near the entryway, then turned back to Baz. “I wondered if you guys were gonna come tonight.”

“I know. Sorry we’re late, we got a little, ah, side tracked,” he glanced over at Mila with a sly smirk on his face.

I felt my face blush fiercely at his insinuation and I quickly looked to the ground. I wasn’t a prude. I just hadn’t really had sex yet, so talking about it was kind of awkward for me. I made my way back to the table and opened the wine. I started to pour and realized there weren’t enough glasses.

“You guys want some wine?” I chanced glancing back up to the two of them as they took their seats at the table.

“I vould love some,” Mila cooed at me with her European accent, as her hand slid under the table to go God-knows where. She was a model and was absolutely beautiful, with gray eyes, full lips, thick black hair, legs that went on for miles and voluptuous curves. They seemed happy together, this was the third time he’d brought her around, so he must really like her. We usually only saw his flings once and then he was on to someone new. “Vould jou like somesing, Bastian?”

His eyes betrayed where her hand was now placed as he ground out, “That I would.” He smiled at her knowingly as he answered.

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

“I’ll be right back.” I hurried into the kitchen and gently banged my head against the cabinet holding the vine, I mean, wine glasses. Ugh, I hated her. Be nice. Think happy thoughts. Kittens and puppies and rainbows and sunshine, all that happy shit. I shook my head as I grabbed the glasses. Again, I found myself wondering what is wrong with me? I wasn’t normally a catty bitch, but she wasn’t good enough for Baz, and I was sure she was using him for his connections. Not that it was any of my business. He just deserved so much better. He was such a selfless man, he deserved someone who would give him her everything in return.

I took the wine glasses back to the dining room, filled them and passed them off. We hung out, drank our wine and played Apples to Apples. As the night wore on, and the alcohol really kicked in, I found myself starting to let go of the analyzing. Geoff really was a great guy. We looked cute together, or so I’d been told. I’d give it a little more time. Harper was right, maybe I was just being too picky.