Perfectly Ms. Matched(63)

The aroma of grease and beer filled the air. Shelby had picked the pub because she was having an overpowering need for some beer-battered fish and chips. This was her and Nick’s favorite place to get them. When Shelby’s cravings kicked in, there was no deterring her.

The pub was loud and had six big screens blasting sports programs on the walls to add to the overall ambiance. Once her eyes adjusted to the dim light, Jo spotted Lori in a corner booth, studying her phone, so she made her way through the full tables, took her coat off, and slid onto the leather seat across from her. “Hey, Lori.”

Lori beamed her pretty smile. “Hi, Jo. How are you?”

“Good. Where’s our beer-batter-craving buddy?”

“Where else? She had to pee again. And she was so hangry, we already ordered. She assured me she knew what you’d like.”

Shelby did know what she liked, so that was fine by her. “I can’t imagine what she’s going to be like when she hits the eight-month mark.”

Lori laughed. “It’ll either be adorable or very scary.”

When an image of Chad giving an interview appeared on the screen behind Lori’s head, the chuckle died on Jo’s lips. He was talking with a reporter about the game tomorrow. When he smiled, it didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. He looked as unhappy as she still was.

“What’s the matter?” Lori took a quick glance over her shoulder. “Ah. That explains the miserable expression on your face.” She laid her hand over Jo’s and gave it a pat. “You’ve still got it bad for him, don’t you?”

“No, we’re through. I’m here to move on. I’m ready.”

Lori shook her head. “No, you’re not. Shelby says Chad looks at you like she looks at chocolate cake these days, so what do we need to do to fix this?”

“He’s said flat-out he isn’t changing. It’s me who would have to settle for being a lower priority in his life than football and all the other obligations that career brings. Believe me, being a sports celebrity is a like having two full-time jobs. He was hiding from the press these last few weeks, so I was able to spend more time with him than I ever would normally. It can be a lonely life. I’ve lived it for a short time, and that was even before he was super famous.”

“I get it, Jo. I really do.” Lori’s eyes misted up. “But he won’t be a sports celebrity forever. Take it from a sometimes-neglected military wife. No matter how much my deceased husband’s quirks and occasional utter disregard for my feelings bugged, I’d give anything to have him back. Even if I had to share him with the military again. Love like I see in your eyes is a rare thing. Why don’t you text him right now and wish him luck in his game tomorrow? Then he’ll know you’re thinking about him.”

Shelby came back and slid in beside Lori. “What did I miss?”

“Jo is going to text Chad.” Lori’s cheerful smile returned again. “We’re wasting our time trying to find her perfect match when she’s already done our job for us. We’re just here now to cheer her on and enjoy watching you devour your fish and chips.”

Shelby raised a brow. “Is that really what you want to do, Jo?”

Jo glanced up at the big screen again just as Chad looked straight into the camera. It was if he looked right at her. It made her heart hurt. Maybe a text the evening before a big game wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Actually, it’d be the decent thing to do as his former PT. “Okay, I’ll text him.”

Just as Jo reached into her bag for her phone, the food came. “You guys go ahead.”

Shelby mumbled around a french fry, “Don’t have to ask me twice.”

As Jo debated what to write, an email came in from Chad’s mom with an update on Ryan. After she thanked Mary, she texted Chad. “Hey. Just wanted to wish you luck tomorrow. Saw your mug on the news just now. You’re quite the big deal this week on ESPN too. You’ve got them all fooled, marshmallow. Go, Chargers! (Maybe we could talk next week? Miss you.)”

She laid her phone beside her plate and dug into the California wrap Shelby had ordered for her with fruit on the side. While Shelby and Lori chatted amongst themselves, she kept an eye on her phone. After she’d finished off the first half of her wrap, she checked the cell again, but still nothing. Maybe he was busy. Or maybe he didn’t want to talk to her. She couldn’t blame him. She’d given him an ultimatum of sorts. Maybe it was for the best.

By the time they’d all finished their meals, Chad still hadn’t responded. It was Saturday night, he was free and single, so maybe he was on a date? God, how was she ever going to bear seeing him with other women now that he’d told her how much he still loved her? “I have to go. I’ll see you guys soon.”