“I’ll bet I can find you true love by next New Year’s.”
“What are the stakes?” I ask. “I want to win something good.”
“You get true love. That’s all you get, but it’s not nothing.”
“But what doyouget if you find me a boyfriend?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at her. There’s something almost sly about her expression.
“From you? Your parking space.”
We all gasp.
“How dare you?” I press my hand against my chest. “It is the one constant good thing in my life.”
“And it’s constantly one of the worst in mine. I’m tired of Armageddon every time I want to park my stupid car,” Ruby says. “I don’t want to be on the frontlines of the Grove parking wars anymore.”
Madi, who also doesn’t have assigned parking, snaps a few times in agreement.
“No way,” I say. “I’m not giving up my spot.”
“You’re saying you’d take a good parking spot over a guy?” Ruby asks.
“Duh.”
Madi and Ava nod in agreement, which only makes Ruby lift her chin and narrow her eyes, the way she does when she’s going in for the kill inScrabble.
“We’re not talking just any guy here,” she says. “We’re talking the love of your life. The kind that makes you dream of babies and suburbs.”
“Not my thing,” I tell her. I’ve got big dreams, and being a wife and mother are low on the list. I want that someday, but dangling a potential fiancé does nothing for me right now. Not after my last almost-engagement.
Ruby studies me, eyes alert. “What kind of guy would it take then?”
“To give up my parking space?” Not going to happen, so I can name the impossible. “The perfect man. Excellent taste in clothes and music, no corporate types, a dimple, a respectable-looking outside wrapper with a bad boy streak. Must love puppies, travel, rain, and eighties movies. Must hate golf. He’s got to be an excellent cook, a big reader, know all my favorite podcasts, and make me laugh. Frat bros are a no.”
“Is that it?” Ruby asks, her tone drier than the last roast Madi made.
“No,” I say, enjoying this now. “He should also hate long walks on the beach, dream in Technicolor, speak three languages, and think Texas football is overrated.”
Madi and Ava burst out laughing. There is no guy in Austin who could meet the last criterion.
“Fine,” Ruby says. “I accept your terms.”
I quit grinning and straighten. “Wait, what? I didn’t agree to anything.”
“Yes, you did. I said to describe your ideal man. You did. And I will now find your ideal man in exchange for your parking space.”
I blink at her a couple times then shake my head, my smile coming back. “Okay, Ruby. Bet’s on.” My list was made up to mess with her, which means I’m doubly sure to keep my parking spot. “You’ll have one whole year.”To find the man who doesn’t exist, I add silently.
She smiles. “I won’t need it.”
Ava leans over to Madi and whispers, “She looks scary.”
Madi only nods with wide eyes.
Ruby shakes her head. “You should be scared, because after I win this bet with Sami, you two are next.”
“You sound like a creepy Bond villain,” Madi complains. “Dr. Plotty-Pants.”
“I prefer Señorita Amor,” Ruby says. “And we need to nail down some conditions. First, you must give any matches I come up with a true and honest try.”
