Barclay

“Barclay.” My sister, Victoria, sits across from me as we eat dinner at the Four Seasons in Midtown. I glance up from my now empty plate and see her regarding me with squinted eyes as she leans in her chair, her plate pushed toward the middle of the table. “You haven’t said a thing to me in fifteen minutes while you inhaled your steak and frites.”

“Sorry, sis. I’ve had a lot going on at work.” The lie slips off my tongue.

I barely remember eating the food served to me and my distraction has nothing to do with work. It’s the gorgeous creature I saw at the hotel bar after leaving the office. She reminded me how much I love the initial attraction and flirtation of meeting a woman—the addictive desire to pursue her and see if she feels the same electric chemistry buzzing between us.

My mind’s been replaying the vision of the pink bombshell. It’s a continuous loop that slows during my favorite parts, like when she looked over her shoulder in disbelief that I was paying attention to her. How could I not notice her fresh beauty in a sexy pink dress? It exposed the creamy skin of her shoulders, the blond waves tumbling over them. Damn, she was a sight.

I smile, thinking about the blush on her cheeks when she realized I was eyeing only her. I can’t remember the last woman I saw blushing from simple eye contact.

She was old enough to drink, but way too young to handle a man like me. I’d likely break her heart and hate myself for it later. And the fact is, I don’t have time to invest in a relationship. My every waking minute is spent working.

“Hmmm. I see,” she says, gazing over her wine glass at me. “You know you just smiled—something you haven’t done in months around me.”

Damn, she caught me. I wipe the grin off my face as Victoria searches my eyes for the truth. My expressionless cover-up is likely useless, since I’ve never been able to hide anything from her, which gives her an unfair advantage. God knows I don’t have a clue what’s going through her mind, though I’m certain she’s about to tell me.

“When was your last date?”

“I’m not ready for a relationship.”

“I’m not talking about a girlfriend. A simple date. You know, those adult get-togethers for two that usually center around a meal and conversation?” She releases a frustrated sigh, setting down her wine glass. The topic belongs to her now, dammit.

With her black hair atop her head, serious blue eyes, and nosy questions, she resembles my mother, making me wonder if dear old Mom is somehow responsible for this intrusive discussion.

“How about dessert? They have a delicious flourless chocolate cake.”

I could always distract her with sweets when we were growing up. If I hung a bag of gummy bears in her face, she’d forget about the heirloom china or crystal I’d break.

“Nice attempt at evading my question, but I worry about you not having a life outside the company.” Her eyes soften, and she tilts her head. “It’s been two months since you and Amanda split up. It’s time to move on.”

“It’s weird. I really haven’t felt any of the normal broken heart pains that go along with a breakup. After four years together, I should feel the loss, right?”

“Maybe you just didn’t feel the right thing for her. After all, she gave you an ultimatum and you couldn’t agree to it.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to get married. It’s just …” I trail off, not knowing how to finish the sentence.

“That’s what I’m getting at. She wasn’t the one for you. It’s not your fault. We can’t help who we do and don’t fall in love with. It either happens or it doesn’t. But it won’t ever happen if you don’t date.”

“My lack of dating has nothing to do with Amanda. It’s more time related. I promise.” I raise my fingers up in Scouts’ honor. “I’m dedicated to taking Hammond Press to the next level in publishing. The book world is changing, and I don’t want what Dad built to be left behind in the dust.”

“Neither do I, but don’t let work rule your life. You see what happened to Dad. At least he has us around for support.”

I cringe at the topic. My father left Hammond Press a year ago when his doctors said his forgetfulness was more than him just getting older. I’ve tried to step in and take his place as CEO, but I have big shoes to fill. So far, the board of directors approve of my actions, and I plan on keeping them and our investors happy.

“I promise I’ll get back in the game this summer. Maybe I’ll meet someone in the Hamptons.”

“Oh please, none of those phony types.” My sister rolls her eyes, and I can’t say I disagree with her. I want the woman I fall for to be genuine—not full of pretense and social climbing. Those kinds of women bore me after the first sip of champagne.

“You know me. I’m always looking for the diamond in the rough. And by rough, I mean the shallow pond of Manhattan’s dating pool.”

“Okay, you win. Let’s change the subject. Mother wants you to join them in Greenwich for Father’s birthday in three weeks.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I’ll call her tomorrow with the news.”

“Better get ready for her to grill you on bringing a date.” Victoria laughs, but I know she’s right. My mother wants what’s best for me, and in her eyes, that’s a wife and two kids.

“On second thought, why don’t you just tell her I’m coming?”

“Not on your life, Barc. You need a little push. After all, you’re inching closer to forty. And you know what they say about never-married men in their forties.”

“No, but I’m sure you’re about to inform me.”

“They’re commitment-phobes.”

“Fine. I’ll bring a date to Saturday’s Warwick Awards and prove you wrong.” My hands perspire as I tap my fingers on the table. I don’t have time to worry about this, but my mother’s persuasive tactics are worse than my sister’s. I need the server to bring something sweet for Victoria to eat this instant. It’s my only hope. “Just please tell Mom I’ll be there in three weeks.”

“I’ll give you a pass this once, but if you’re dateless, I’ll pick a date for you for Dad’s birthday party.” She giggles, and I know I can’t face whatever doomed date she’s concocting, which will likely be with one of her friends. “Oh, there’s one stipulation to this Saturday’s date. She can’t be anyone you already know. I want you to work for this one.”

I’ve never been desperate enough to call an escort service, though my lifelong friend, Trevor, swears by them. He uses the services when he needs a date to an event or a discreet hookup. If push comes to shove, I could call him for the number, but the thought makes my stomach turn.

You can’t be more phony than a fake date, and knowing my sister, she’ll see right through my ruse.

Basically, I’m screwed.

“One more thing. My and Danton’s three-year anniversary is next week, and our nanny’s mother has surgery. Can you watch Beatrice for us?” Her smile has a side of glee with it, meaning she already knows she’s won this round too.

“I thought you wanted me to settle down, not scare the shit out of me. Hell, I’ve never changed a diaper in my life.” My three-month-old niece is an adorable mini version of my sister, which means she also has an attitude. Heaven help me. “You can be quite evil.”

“It’s just a little reality check.”