“Got what?” Sophia dropped down onto the mat between us, her olive skin glowing and her chest heaving as she caught her breath. “What’re we talking about, boys?”
“Boyfriends,” Preston blurted at the same moment that I replied, “Otters.”
“Oookay.” She glanced from Preston to me, not at all fooled by either of us. “If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t. I don’t need to be privy to all your little boy secrets.”
Preston, wise man that he was, launched onto a new topic. “Harry was telling me about the damsel in distress he rescued. You’ll never believe what her name is.”
“What damsel is this?” Sophia rounded on me, one eyebrow raised. “I thought you were all excited about Tyla and your date tomorrow.”
“I am,” I assured her. “I’m seeing her tomorrow afternoon at the—what is it called? The adult leisure park? Can’t wait.”
Sophia’s lips twitched. “Uh-huh. I’m sure you’ll have a blast.” Something in her voice made me narrow my eyes, but before I could call her on it, she went on speaking. “Who’s the damsel, and why should I care what her name is?”
“Because it’s Faith.” Preston rolled down onto his back, laughing. “Faith Two. Only our boy could pull this off.”
“She’s just a girl who needed a jump,” I explained.
“Oh, really?” Her eyes widened.
“Her car. I helped her start her car.” I shook my head. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Soph.”
“Oh, okay.” She pulled up her knees, hugging them to her chest. “Then you’re telling me you weren’t at all interested in this woman, huh?”
When I didn’t answer right away, Preston chuckled, and Sophia groaned. “Don’t tell me you’re attracted to another Faith.”
“I didn’t say I’m attracted to her,” I protested.
“You said she was a yee,” Preston reminded me helpfully. “What does she look like?”
“She’s not my type.” I tried to play it off. “First of all, she’s got black hair—”
“Ahem!” Sophia threw up her hands. “What’s wrong with black hair?”
“Nothing!” I fell onto my back in exasperation. “Nothing at all. Faith Two’s hair isn’t like yours, though, Soph. It’s not Korean black hair.”
“Half Korean,” she corrected me. “Half of me is Greek. We don’t know who gave me my hair, my dad or my mom.”
“Whatever you say.” I humored her. “Anyway, my point is that usually, I go for blondes. Or at least lighter colored hair.”
“First time for everything,” observed Preston. “Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants, Harry. Go with it.”
I was tired of their questions and their teasing. Scrambling onto my feet, I glared down at my friends. “Are we here to climb or to shoot the breeze? Because I’d like to get in some bouldering before the gym closes.”
“All right, all right.” Preston made an elaborate show of climbing to his feet. “We get it. You don’t want to discuss your lady friends.”
“Hey.” I wheeled around. “Speaking of lady friends . . .what about you? I heard you met someone at work. A total yee, if my sources are accurate.”
A deer-in-the-headlights expression covered his face. “Ah—maybe.” He shot Sophia a poisoned glare. “This is your doing, isn’t it?”
I ignored that. “Tell us all about her.” Lowering my voice, I smirked. “Her name’s not Faith, is it?”
Preston blanched. “I hope not.”
“Wait a second. You hope not?” Sophia chortled. “Preston, don’t you know her name?”
His face went red, from his neck to the roots of his long blond hair. “I haven’t had the opportunity to ask yet. But I know the important stuff. She’s a yee, for sure. Her hair is kind of white, with bright green streaks. She’s got brown eyes, a kind smile, and she always wears slogan tees. Oh, and her order is a coconut acai bowl with extra kiwi, coconut milk instead of almond, and hold the chia seeds.”
“Wouldn’t finding out her name be easier than just calling her by her order?” I clapped my hand on my buddy’s shoulder. “Man up, my boy. Go for it. Find out her name, and ask her out. How in the world are you going to get cuffed if you don’t get bold?”
