“No. You knew. You just think you have to date a certain type to recreate what your parents have.”
She groaned. “You know me too well.”
“Sadly, I do.”
“Apparently, good guys don’t work for me. So I’m strictly looking for bad boys now. Nothing long-term. No meaningful dating. Just hot sex with a guy who won’t stick around.”
Jeff frowned. “Seriously? You think you’ll be happy with that?”
“It’s nearly Christmas. I’m giving myself an early present I’ll enjoy. No promise of tomorrow means no disappointment when he ghosts me.”
“And that’s not dark or discouraging at all.” He snorted. “But you have a point. Okay, Mad Marlie. I’m with you. Live for the moment and enjoy the holidays. And especially enjoy Demon Sinclair.” He wiggled his brows.
“I will. And starting the new year, you’re going to tell me who you’re secretly dating. Or else.”
Jeff shivered. “Oh, not the mean voice.”
“Laugh it up. But if you don’t tell me at New Year’s—or before—I’ll make sure Carla knows you have a secret boyfriend you like so much you won’t even tell me.” Then Carla would make a big deal about it and blab to his parents, who loved nothing better than to meddle in Jeff’s pitiful love life.
Jeff glared. “That’s just mean. But you know what? I can always do the same with you and Damon and your parents.”
“Bring it, Morrison.”
He studied her then sighed. “Fine. I’ll tell you all about him.” He coughed. “I have a feeling that conversation will be a lot harder than this one.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. Get out. I have to get sleep so I can tolerate family tomorrow.”
Jeff loved his family as much as she loved hers. But they both had issues getting their parents to treat them like grown adults not needing unsolicited advice.
“Good luck.”
“Back at ya.” He nodded. Just as she left the car and readied to shut it, he gave her a sly grin. “And just so you know, you’re not the only one who got lucky at the party.”
Then the jerk peeled away from her house, the door closing on its own.
She stared after him, laughing and more than curious about Jeff’s secret crush. Hoping against hope her friend finally got lucky at love.
Luckier than me, anyway.
The next day at her parents’ house, Marlie had already dodged her brothers trying to corner her in private to talk about Damon. They hadn’t dared say a word in front of their parents thanks to her warning text earlier that morning: One word about Demon Sinclair wanting to date me and you guys don’t have a coach tomorrow.
Unfortunately, she could do nothing about the rumors and speculation about her public breakup with Ben, which her family had chosen as the topic du jour.
“I can’t believe he two-timed you,” her mother said once again.
“What a douche,” Will said. “We can talk to him for you, Marlie.”
“No thanks.”
Ed scowled. “I never liked him.”
She swallowed a sigh. “No, you never did.”
“Want me to arrest him?” Steve added with a grim smile. “For being a dick?”
Marlie immediately thought of the last Dick pick she’d been sent, that of Dick Clark, a now-deceased TV personality, and grinned.
