“I’m going toassumeyou held hands.” Orie is right in front of me now. “So, what makes any of that any different from a date? Sorry,multipledates.”
“Nothing,” I admit, bringing a hand up to my face to cover my cheek.
She tilts her head at me, gently asking, “So, what are you going to do about it?”
“I need to talk to him.” I nod at her, which she returns.
Pulling out my phone, I furiously type my message, not thinking before I hit send.
We should talk. Come over in an hour?
Instantly, he responds.
Absolutely.
There’s a knock at my door, and I open it so quickly that Arman still has his arm raised. Does that make it obvious I’ve been pacing?
“Hi,” he greets with that unfortunately charming smile.
I step to the side, waving him in. “Hi.”
“So, this is your home, Pinky—it’s lovely,” he comments, his eyes scanning my front hall.
Ignoring his compliment, I get right to the point. “What was the purpose of taking me to dinner?”
His eyes dart to me, but his smile doesn’t falter. “To explain myself, my actions—both present and past.”
“And that was the only purpose?” I press, chewing on my bottom lip.
Maybe Orie got into my head, maybe it wasn’t a date at all. Oh Gods, have I made all of this up in my head? Maybe he hasn’t been hitting on me at all.
“If I’m being honest, Pinky,” he pauses, smushing his lips together before he continues, “I just wanted a chance to talk to you. To get to know you better.”
My heart pounds in my chest. “So…like a date?”
He grins, sending butterflies into my stomach. “Do you want it to be?”
“Maybe.” I cross my arms, turning my body slightly away. “It depends if you only took me on that date to try to get laid.”
His reaction surprises me—he rolls his eyes, slightly shaking his head. The smile is still on his face, still keeping me lured in.
“Pinky, I just told you, I took you out on the date because I wanted to get to know you.” His voice is a bit softer, and he doesn’t move from where he stands. “I don’t just want to fuck you.”
How is it that he gives off player vibes, but is actually a sweetheart? Even at dinner, I was surprised at how genuine he seemed.
There’s no way this is real. It’s an act, an attempt to trick me—since that’s what he is, a trickster. No one changes that quickly.
I scoff at him. “Who do you think you’re fooling? I’m not buying that you aren’t a player.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the company of a woman. The next time I do, well, it’ll be with someone very special, I hope.” His eyes sparkle as he stares at me.
Does he mean…no, he can’t. Me? There’s nothing special about me. At least nothinggoodspecial. This is a line, probably. A line to try to get me into bed with him.
I scoff again, crossing my arms in front of me. “Yeah, right. You’ve probably had the company of many of the women in town already.”
He shakes his head as his eyebrows crease, and a frown takes over. “No. What makes you think that?”
“Well, for starters,” my mouth moves without my control, “you’re an attractive guy who knows how to talk. This is all just another one of your tricks.”
