This is where I’d typically suggest we find a couple women and prompt him to let me do all the talking, but Hannah isn’t ready to give up.
“What is your type?” she asks him.
I open my mouth to tell her, then realize I don’t actually know the answer. Maybe I am a terrible wingman.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t dated enough to know, I guess.” He looks even more embarrassed, but he’s already said more words than I expected.
“He usually goes for brunettes,” I add.
He nods then seems to second-guess it. “That’s not…I don’t…”
Ah, he’s worried about offending her, being that she’s blond and all.
“It’s okay. I’m not looking to date right now, and I tend to prefer dark hair too.”
“Why not?” I ask. “Dating is fun.”
Except…is it? I’ve been on a cleanse for months because I was tired of it. I think dating her would be fun though.
“That would be the only part of that sentence you heard.” She laughs, goes back to ignoring me, and looks to Shep. “Are there any women in here that you’re interested in talking to or taking home? We didn’t talk about your goal for the night, but I think in this instance the answer can be the same.”
Easy. Her. Except she isn’t asking me.
His gaze lifts and he scans for only a moment before he says, “Pink dress, dark hair in a ponytail.”
Well, that was fast. I follow his line of sight and find her immediately. She’s cute and looks like maybe she’s a little out of her comfort zone too.
“Ooh. Good choice. I could see you two together.” Hannah nods her approval.
“Except I could never talk to her.”
“You’re talking to me now.”
“Trav would kill me if I hit on you.” His lips pull up higher on one side. “And you’re doing most of the talking.”
“Then let me keep doing most of the talking.” Hannah grabs my arm and tugs me as she stands. Looking at Shep, she says, “Come on. Before someone else swoops in on your girl.”
Shep resists for only a moment before slowly getting to his feet.
“This is a bad idea,” he says like we’re leading him to a fight instead of chatting up a woman.
“Trust me,” she says with so much confidence he doesn’t have much choice but to follow along. That and she grabs him by the wrist and pulls him with her.
I hope, for Shep’s sake, this doesn’t end badly.
11
HANNAH
Her name is Diane. She’s in Vegas on business and out tonight with coworkers. From far away she looked quiet and reserved. However, within thirty seconds she’s taken over the conversation and told us most of her life story. Intense? Yes. But the good news is that she’s pulled Conrad into a conversation and he’s responding with more than two words at a time. Not a lot more, but more.
“How?” Travis whispers. His eyes are wide and he’s smiling like I’ve performed open-heart surgery instead of helped his friend talk to a woman.
My skin prickles under his obvious awestruck gaze. I glance away, ensuring Diane and Shep are still in conversation and then take one small step back. Travis does the same.
“I’m so impressed.” His tone would have told me that even if his words hadn’t.
“So sure I’d fail, huh?”
