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my league.
    “What about Ned?” Tiffany suggests.
    “Like Ned from the bowling alley Ned?” This makes me laugh. I may not know my type, but it’s not him. I’m Kate Hayes: neat, tattoo free, organized, and always on time. “He strikes me as … hard.”
    “Oh, he’s hard I’m sure!” Tiffany giggles and accidentally paints on her face.
    “That’s not what I meant!” I didn’t intend to sound dirty, but I join her and Gretchen in laughter. “He comes across as someone who is interested in much different things than me, and he seems rough around the edges.”
    Gretchen swipes her brush across the canvas. Her painting is turning out better than mine and Tiffany’s. I wonder if she has a touch of artistry in her blood. “That’s part of why he’s so hot.”
    “Gretchen!” She’s married to the nicest guy ever, who is about as clean-cut as they come.  
    “Hey, just because I have a husband doesn’t mean I don’t lust after some fine pieces of meat. Besides, I grew up with Ned and Ted.”
    I snort. “Sorry. I can’t get over their names.They’re bad enough separate, but put them together and I can’t contain myself.
    “Yeah, after knowing them so long, it doesn’t faze me anymore.”
    My turn to ask some questions. This is the perfect opportunity to move the conversation off of me. “Have you two been friends long?”
    Tiffany pours herself another glass and takes a long drink before answering. “A few years. Taylor introduced us.”
    “So are you and Taylor … “
    “Together? No.” She shakes her head and kind of smiles. “We’re very good friends … with occasional benefits.”
    “If occasional is multiple times a week!”  
    I shush Gretchen for being so loud. “No relationship, though?” If they get together so often, how can they not be a couple?
    “Are you kidding me?” Tiffany pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “He’s twenty-three. Too young. There’s no sense in sitting around though while I wait for Mr. Right, right?”
    Wow. He’s at least ten years younger than her. I can barely stand people my age, much less someone so much younger. “How can you even meet a guy if you’re with Taylor all the time?”
    “I’m not with him all the time. We bowl together and sometimes we hook up. That’s it. He dates other people and so do I. No strings.”
    Casual relationships confuse me. I can’t imagine being so intimate with a handful of people. I’m not a prude, really. I just would rather love someone if I’m going to be with that person. I’ve been with two people my entire life. I want the last one to stick.
    “If that’s what works for you, I guess.”  
    In all honesty, who am I to judge? Recently the only man I’ve even come close to anything with was my pizza guy.  
    Score.  

Chapter
  Seven

    The first game arrives on a humid August night and I’m nervous. I used to do this all the time, but this is a new team, new chemistry, and new lanes. The cotton in my mouth, the shivers through my body — this is something with which I’m unfamiliar. I’m usually in control and running the show. Patrons of the alley zip around with their bags, shoving items into lockers, and repeating superstitious habits. Me, I’m only hoping not to make a fool of myself.
    “Kate!” Gretchen greets me at our lane. “Aren’t you excited? The adrenaline racing through me is crazy right now. I haven’t been this floored since Mona’s delivery!”
    I can’t imagine competing in a recreational bowling league is as exciting as birthing your first child, but I won’t judge. She’s probably exaggerating and doesn’t realize how odd that sounds. “I’m a little nervous, honestly.”
    “Nervous? Why?”  
    “Well, my partner is still a mystery to me, for one. Second, a long time has passed since I’ve participated in a competition.” What if I’m great and he sucks? Or worse, what if I stink up the joint with my skills and everyone thinks I’m a