“You’ve got to get a white noise machine or something. I learned that years ago — it’s top of the must-have list for living in this apartment.”
He shrugged. “I know. I just forget to actually get one.”
“There’s an app for that, you know.”
He tossed me his phone. “Great. Set it up.”
I caught it and made a face at the busted screen while he watched, amused. “When are you going to get this thing fixed? I mean, you’re all put together, but your phone looks like shit. I can’t even read the icons.” I squinted my eyes at it for emphasis. “How the hell do you play chess on this?”
But he smiled. “It works just fine. It’s what’s inside that counts.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes.
He winked and took another sip of his coffee, setting the cup on the counter before opening the fridge. He pulled out the supplies he needed to make eggs — first the long paper carton, then diced tomatoes, chives, and mushrooms he’d pre-cut, then rummaged through the cabinets for his favorite skillet and silver mixing bowl.
“Are you coming home before singles night to change?” he asked as he picked up a brown egg and cracked it on the side of the bowl.
I picked up my Dalek mug, wrapping my fingers around it. “No, I’m taking my costume and everything with me.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you — I’m bringing a friend tonight.”
My brow raised. “Oh? Do tell.”
“His name is Martin. Met him in a business class in college — he’s an accountant. We haven’t hung out in a while, so I invited him to come with, figured you could maybe set him up. He’s one of the best guys I know, real and honest, you know?”
I smiled. “Sounds like our type of guy. I’ll see if I can find a suitable match for him.” I took a sip. “How’s your day looking?”
He cuffed the sleeves of his sky-blue button down and whisked, holding the bowl in his free hand at an angle. “I have a few meetings to attend with Jack and a phone call with one of my prospects.”
“Which one?”
“Darryl Johnson.”
“Oh, he’s the one who plays for Nebraska? Under your dad?”
He nodded. “I just hope I’ve done enough, you know? This business isn’t always what you’d call honest, so to be a part of an agency that plays by the book and stands on integrity is humbling and terrifying. When everyone else bribes players and you don’t, it’s a risk.”
“Even though it’s illegal?”
“There are ways around the rules. Everybody looks the other way because that’s just how things are done. But Jack’s built something different, and because of his principles, we’ve got some of the top players in the NFL. Darryl trusts my dad, and he trusts Jack. I think he trusts me too.”
I smiled, looking into his honest face, knowing what Darryl would see in it. “I have a good feeling it’s all going to work out.”
Tyler smiled back at me. “Thanks, Cam.” He glanced down at the skillet and poured the egg concoction in with a hiss. “Well, tonight should be eventful, huh?
“Should be. Thanks for coming to hang again.”
“Hey, no worries. I hate to admit it, but it’s fun to watch you work your magic,” he said as he pushed the eggs around the skillet. “Who are you working on now?”
“Well,” I said, leaning on the table, “tonight, it’s sealing the deal on Bayleigh and Greg.”
“Tell me how everyone knows each other again.”
“So, Rose used to work with Bayleigh at Habits. Well, you know she’s a sweet girl, kind of quiet, a little shy until she gets to know you. She’s had some trouble in the guy department finding someone she can trust, so number one priority was to find her an honest dude. Greg is a super honest dude, a total catch. Rose actually used to date him — he was working at a coffee shop, and she asked him to be the bar manager.”
“He’s the skater, right?” he asked as he stirred the eggs around.
“Yeah. Anyway, Greg’s the best, and the guy just can’t seem to catch a break. Every girl he’s tried to date ends up being a disaster in one way or another.”
“And he and Bayleigh are a surefire Cam Emerson match?”
“The outcome appears to be favorable. The two of them … I don’t know. I just want them to be happy, and I think they could make each other happy. Both of them need a win, and in the exact same ways, so, yeah. I think it’ll be a satisfying match. We’ll see tonight.” I found myself smiling at the thought.
Tyler plated the eggs and chuckled again. “That excited, huh?”
“Just a little. But first, I have to count comic books all day. Good news is that I’m in charge of the playlist today.”
“Upsides.” He set a plate in front of me with a napkin and fork. “Your breakfast, m’lady.”
I bowed my head. “Thank you, good sir.” The salty steam from the eggs hit my nose, and I actually salivated, wetting my lips before digging in. An appreciative hum vibrated through me, and when I looked over at Tyler, I caught him watching me, amused. “These are damn good, buddy. You can’t keep telling me there’s no special ingredient because that’s got to be a bald-faced lie.”
He shrugged and laid his napkin in his lap. “Oh, there’s a secret ingredient all right.”