“It has everything to do with me, and nothing to do with you,” he said.

“You do know that’s the oldest line in the book.”

“In this case, it happens to be true.”

“Well, that would be a first.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’ve heard it before?”

“Not me, specifically,” she admitted.

He snorted out a cold laugh. “Can we stop?”

“Sure.” She turned to her computer, pretending to read an email while she waited for him to walk away.

“That’s not what I meant,” he finally said.

She didn’t turn back. “Then what did you mean?”

“I’m inviting you to a football game.”

“And I’m turning you down.”

Mitch tapped the envelope against the desktop. “You’re making way too much of this.”

At that, she did turn. “You’re the one who won’t go away.”

“Because you’re being ridiculously stubborn. You love football. Come out and have some fun.”

“I have plans with Emily tonight.” They were going out manhunting, tonight and every Friday night until they found the right guys.

“Bring her along,” Mitch countered.

“She doesn’t like football.”

“She likes private jets. And there’ll be a VIP party after the game.”

Jenny found herself hesitating. He was right about Emily liking the VIP world. In fact, she could almost hear Emily’s voice now, extolling the virtues of a party chockablock with single male notables from the Houston area. A target-rich environment was how she’d describe it.

And Jenny did want Emily to find the right man. Emily’s talk of getting pregnant while she was still single had Jenny worried. Single parenthood was a grueling struggle, and she wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

It wasn’t like she’d have to stick to Mitch’s side, either at the game or at the party. In fact, she could mostly ignore him. It would be a big party, full of other guests.

“You and I won’t be alone at all,” Mitch assured her, breaking the silence.