DogPerson158:Considering I just spent the past hour cleaning up the mess he made while I was out, he’s a terror. He’s also sitting next to me and purring right now, so I adore him.
Handsyguy37:That’s the problem with pets. They’re too darn adorable to be angry at for long.
DogPerson158:Too bad I don’t feel the same way about humans.
Handsyguy37:You saying that as an in general thing, or did you have a rough day?
This is a step away from our light banter, but I want to know more about her. Maybe find a reason to dislike her.
DogPerson158:Both? Apparently, I’m not friendly enough when interacting with the public.
Oh, she is a perfect match for Sebastian.
Handsyguy37:Who cares what the public thinks?
DogPerson158:I kind of have to. In order to get a big promotion I want, I need to learn to be friendly. Even to jerks. Got any tips?
I lean back and drop my phone onto the passenger seat. People don’t ask me for advice. I’m the fun one. I will sometimes play up that image to break tension in a situation. It has led more than a few people to think I’m not very bright.
My brothers know differently, but even they don’t ask me for advice.
I’m not up to this task.
My stomach growls, reminding me I’m starving. I cannot give advice on an empty stomach, but I also can’t leave DogPerson158 hanging.
If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s to be charming. I can handle this. Except she’s got a promotion riding on this, I can’t screw it up.
This is exactly why I don’t do relationships.
I pick up the phone and realize my chest is tight with anxiety. I don’t like this feeling at all.
Handsyguy37:Let me think on it. I’m going to grab some dinner. Be in touch soon.
I drop my phone back on the passenger seat and head out. There is no way I have the energy to go home and cook something, but fast food isn’t really what I want either.
If I want a good dinner, the only option is to stop and actually get out of my truck. Tate’s Diner on Main Street has become my go-to for nights like this since I moved to town.
The place is busy tonight. Instead of going up to the counter to get something to go, I head toward the tables, because I don’t want to go home and be with my brothers. Most nights, I’m looking forward to seeing my family, but living with them constantly is starting to grate on my nerves.
Plus, I need to be alone to figure out how to word my advice to DogPerson158.
I manage to find a small, two-person booth in the far back corner that’s free, and I sit, take out my phone, and stare at it. Maybe it’s time for Sebastian to step in. He gives advice all the time. He’d tell DogPerson158 that she doesn’t need to be friendly. She just needs to be upfront, honest, and do good work.
No, he’d be blunter than that. He’d probably tell her if the only thing standing between her and a promotion is that she needs to smile more and kiss ass, she should find another job.
He can get away with that kind of behavior because he works in construction, and it’s what people expect. Plus, Ryland does most of the dealing with clients.
And if DogPerson158 gets that kind of advice, she’ll end this conversation before she even has the chance to get to know Sebastian and fall in love. I need to butter her up first by being kind and caring, so when she meets Sebastian she’ll be able to look beneath his rough exterior to… Well, I don’t actually knowif there’s anything underneath the exterior. But if there is, she’ll be more willing to look for it.
Or at least willing to put up with his shitty attitude long enough to get him to have some fun.
I blow out a breath, open up the match app, and hit the messages.
“You’re overthinking this, Melly,” a woman says loudly, phone to her ear as she slides into the next set of booths, her back to me. “He probably got busy. You didn’t scare off a man you’ve never even met by telling him a detail about your personal life. That’s not how people work.”
She pauses, and I focus on the app, considering what to say next.
“I’m telling you, honey. Just go out, find an attractive man, and sex him up.”
