Any Man I Want by Michele Grant

“Yeah, well . . . you know.”
    â€œI don’t know, that’s why I’m calling. It’s not like you to cut out in the middle of business deals to chase skirts.”
    â€œI don’t chase skirts and you need to show some respect. Katrina is a lady,” I chastised.
    â€œIs she ever!” He whistled in admiration. “You gonna get with that or what?”
    â€œWhat did I just say about respect?” I repeated.
    â€œAw man, you serious about this one. Okay. Okay. When are you coming back?”
    â€œA few days, a week tops.”
    â€œGood, ’cuz I gotta make a decision and you gotta help me make it.”
    Chris had to decide whether he was going to play professional football or go to business school. I could see the pros and cons of each, but ultimately it was his decision to make. “Which way are you leaning?”
    â€œI’m not; I keep swinging back and forth. And Grandpa’s no help. Keeps telling me to pray on it and listen when—”
    â€œâ€”God whispers in your ear. Yeah, that’s one of his favorites.”
    â€œWhat does that even mean?” Chris puzzled.
    â€œIt means you’ll know what to do when the time is right. But I’ll be back and we’ll talk it all out, okay?”
    â€œThanks, bro. And hey?”
    â€œHey?” I prompted.
    â€œDon’t do nuthin’ I wouldn’t do. I mean, if you get in over your head handling a woman that fine, you can fly me in for reinforcements. Katrina’s only what—three or four years older than me?”
    â€œSeven years. But don’t you worry your knuckleheaded self about it. I got this.” I hung up on his laughter and shook my head. Youngsters always had jokes. I switched the phone to vibrate and leaned back to relax once more. I had drifted into a peaceful state between sleep and wakefulness when Katrina stormed outside. I raised one eyelid. Oh hell, she had her mad on. I closed my eyes again.
    â€œWhy don’t you have a woman? What’s wrong with you?” she asked without preamble.
    â€œWho says I don’t?” I teased.
    â€œOh, come on. I’ve heard you and Beau say it often enough. You may be a scoundrel, but you’re a gentleman. No way would you be hugged up on me if you had a woman at home.”
    â€œThat’s true. You might know me better than I thought you did.” I raised my glass to toast in her general direction.
    â€œSo what’s wrong with you? A man doesn’t get to be your age and unmarried unless he’s a dog or he’s damaged or both.”
    My age? Ouch—that hurt. She and Chris had me fitted for a walker already. “Wow. You don’t know me. Generalize much?”
    â€œSomething’s holding you back. And please don’t tell me you haven’t met the right woman yet.” Her tone was snarky.
    â€œI’m selective,” I explained.
    â€œYou mean picky.”
    â€œI mean discerning,” I clarified, amused by her not-too-subtle attempts to get to know as much about me in the shortest time possible.
    â€œOh, really?”
    â€œReally.”
    â€œWhat does it take to make the cut?”
    â€œWhat do you care? You’re at the front of the line,” I countered.
    â€œThere’s a line?” She sounded offended.
    â€œA short list,” I amended.
    â€œDo tell. What magical powers must a woman possess to make it to Carter Parks’s short list?”
    â€œLook in the mirror, diva. You’re the total package.”
    She was silent for a minute. “Dammit.”
    â€œBeg pardon?”
    â€œI was trying to be mad and you had to go and say something sweet.”
    I opened my eyes and took another sip of my drink. “You’re trying to be mad?”
    She flounced over and perched beside me. “What are the rules here? Are we doing this for real?”
    â€œYou lost me, Kitty. Speak it plain.”
    â€œThis whatever between