I chuckle, tucking in my shirt to my jeans. "I don't think her parents would appreciate that version."
"Fair point." He pauses. "You know what's weird? You kind of sound nervous."
"I'm not nervous." The denial comes too quickly.
"Bullshit. I've known you for a long-time bro. I've seen you drop into half-pipes that would make most men shit themselves, and you never even blinked. But this woman has you choosing outfits like you're going to prom."
"I'm not—" I glance at the pile of rejected shirts on my bed.
"Bash, I've been listening to you rifle through your closet for the past ten minutes. You're nervous."
"It's a professional business dinner." I quip.
"Keep telling yourself that," he laughs. "Face it, Montgomery. You're into her. Like, really into her."
I check my watch. 6:31. I need to get going. "I have to finish getting ready."
"Avoiding the question. Classic."
"There wasn't a question." I grab my wallet and keys. "Just an incorrect observation."
"Whatever you say, man." His voice softens. "Just don't screw this up, okay? I haven't seen you this worked up over a woman in—actually, I've never seen you this worked up over a woman."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"I'm serious. You like her. Maybe it started as just attraction, but there's something more there. Don't sabotage it by being an idiot again."
I sigh, leaning against my dresser. "I know."
"So what's your strategy tonight?"
"Be honest. Well, mostly honest." I run a hand through my hair one last time. "Listen to her. Let her set the boundaries. Be the kind of boyfriend she'd want to show off to everyone."
"Solid plan. And if she happens to fall for the real Bash in the process..."
"One step at a time, Ty."
"Fair enough." I can hear the smile in his voice. "Call me tomorrow. I want all the details. This is better than Love Island."
"You watch too much trash TV."
"And you don't watch enough. You could learn something."
"Yeah, like how not to behave in relationships."
He laughs. "Go get her, Montgomery. And remember—"
"I know, I know. Don't be an idiot."
"I was going to say 'be yourself,' but that works too."
I hang up, slipping the phone into my pocket and taking a deep breath. Tyler's right. I am nervous. I don't get nervous about women. Ever. But something about Charlie throws me off balance in the scariest way.
The reflection staring back at me from the mirror looks put together, confident. No one would guess that my stomach is doing corkscrews at the thought of seeing her across a dinner table, just the two of us, no work, no friends, no distractions.
I grab my coat and head for the door. Whatever happens tonight sets the tone for this whole fake relationship thing. And as much as I'm trying to play it cool, I know one thing for certain: I want it to be as real as possible.
Pulling my phone out one more time, I send her a quick text letting her know I'm on my way. I hesitate, then add:
