“Okay.”
Scott looked out the window. “Do you know the best way to measure if someone is right for you?”
“I’m guessing it doesn’t involve a Cosmo quiz, a consultation with my astrologer about my chakras, auras, or vibes.”
“I don’t know what those last three things are, so no, it’s none of those things.” He lifted the pastry gently and laid it in the dish. “The best way to know if someone is right for you is to ask them to teach you how to do something they know very well.”
She scrunched up her nose. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”
He leaned against the counter. “It’s not about what they’re teaching you. It’s the process. If you’re struggling, does the person cheer you on or shame you for not getting it right away?”
A memory of Teague teaching her how to play poker floated up, and she remembered how patient he was and how much they laughed when she tried revising the game rules. “That’s very insightful, Scott. Because you’re either going to see a person who wants you to succeed or someone who might want to keep you in your place so they can hold on to their inflated sense of self.”
“I was gonna say, do you feel smaller or safe in their company. But yeah, it’s pretty much the same thing.” He moved the pie plate to align with the edge of the counter. “My old girlfriend offered to teach me how to play tennis since she loved the game. I thought it would be fun and could eventually be a hobby we shared.”
“The look on your face tells me it wasn’t that.”
“It was the most demoralizing two hours of my life. I’ve been in the NFL for seven years and am considered fairly athletic by most standards. I’ve also spent a ton of time with some of the toughest coaches to ever walk across a field, and let me tell you, none of them tore me down the way she did. If the person who was supposed to have my back couldn’t manage it during a casual tennis game, what would’ve happened when a real challenge came along?”
“Oh my goodness, you are lucky she said no.”
“I know, and if I’d proposed privately, I would’ve probably spent the last couple of months celebrating instead of lying low.”
She handed him the bowl of apples and watched him carefully arrange the mixture in the pie shell. “Did she ever apologize after the tennis incident?”
“We never spoke of it again.” And why I didn’t walk away at that point is something I’ll never understand.”
Once he was done, he handed her the bowl, and she set it in the sink. “At least you know what to look for the next time.”
“I’m guessing there might not be a next time for me.”
“You never know.” She lifted the second piece of pie dough, set it gently on top of the filling, and then showed him how to crimp the edges. There wouldn’t be a next time for her either if she and Teague couldn’t make things work.
Not that she was being maudlin, because she wasn’t. But she was a realist and knew he may ultimately want someone who followed the rules a little more closely.
Several hours later, Tancy dropped down on the couch and was about to kick her feet up when her phone rang. “Darn it.”
She picked it up and told her heart not to jump out of her chest. Was he calling to tell her she was too much work and needed someone who sat peacefully at home? “Hey, Teague.”
“Hi, honey. How are you?”
“I’m okay. I just finished a baking lesson with Scott.”
“Do you have a minute? I need to talk to my best friend.”
“Of course.” She pulled a blanket under her chin and sank further into the couch. Were they back to friends? Was the lovers’ thing over?
“I did a thing, Tanc. And you’re the only person who will understand.”
“This sounds ominous.”
“It’s certainly life-changing.” He cleared his throat. “Now, I want you to listen and advise as my best friend, not the woman I’ve slept with. Okay?”
“Sure.” She silently screamed into the blanket, guessing that he was about to say they should break up.
“I’ve fallen in love with the most incredible woman but am faltering on how I show it.”
Sucking in a big breath, she tried to make sense of his words. Was he talking about her? Why wouldn’t he just have a regular conversation? “Is that so?”