Ryan frowns. “It’s not Luke, is it?”
“No, it’s one of Nate’s colleagues.” I put one hand on the wall for balance while I pull on a pair of platform Mary Janes. “It’s a double date, so I get a little time with Cat, too.”
“You really want to date some meathead in security?”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not a bouncer. Cat says he’s part of the acquisitions team.”
“So he’s a nerd.”
“I have no idea, Ryan. Right now, you know as much as I do.”
“Just remember, if he’s single, it’s for a reason. You have to figure out what that reason is. He’s probably super boring, or a total player. Maybe both.”
“I’msingle,” I remind him, exasperated. “Are you saying there’s something wrong with me?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure.” He shoots me a flirty smile. “Why don’t you take that dress off and let me check?”
Heat flickers between my thighs. By now, my body knows that Ryan’s flirty smile usually comes about twenty minutes before a screaming orgasm.
Even though we swore things wouldn’t be different between us, they already are. Before we started screwing, Ryan would have delivered a long list of reasons I’m single, each more insulting than the last. Now, he’s only interested in charming my clothes off. I’ll admit, it’s a nice change.
He was also genuinely excited when I sent him pictures of my new office. Granted, he also took credit for it, telling me that without his photography, I never would have turned the 12 Dates of Christmas into the massive hit that it is. He was joking, and I insisted he had nothing to do with the promotion.
I’d never tell him the truth—he’s been a huge influence on my writing ever since I moved in. The office is, at least a little bit, because of him.
To celebrate, he ordered sushi from my favorite place and let me turnThe Vampire Diariesback on for a mini-binge. I mean, we spent most of the time making out instead of actually watching it, but it was worth it. Especially when he pulled down my sweatpants, crawled down between my thighs, and?—
Ryan’s eyes heat, like he knows exactly what I’m thinking right now. I clear my throat.
“I have to go. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Have aswelltime,” he says sarcastically.
Subtlety has never been one of Ryan’s strong suits. He’s obviously bothered that I’m going out with another guy, even though he agreed to it a few days ago.
For someone allergic to real feelings, Ryan Archer says a lot with the way he silently tops off my coffee in the morning, or turns the fireplace up when she sees me shivering from the draft in the apartment. It’s infuriating—being cared for by someone who refuses to admit he’s capable of caring.
White Christmas lightsand silver bells hang tastefully along the walls of the Michelin-star restaurant. My red wine practically glows from inside a sparkling crystal glass. I don’t even want to know how much it cost, since Nate picked it out and paid for it.
My date, Jacob, matches perfectly with the luxe surroundings. He’s got that shiny rich guy hair, an aristocratic nose, and a perfectly sculpted beard, which frames his bright white smile.
“How’s your salmon?” he asks.
“A little fishy,” I quip.
His brow furrows. “Really? If you don’t like it, I can flag down the server.”
“Oh, no, I was joking,” I clarify. “It tastes wonderful. How’s your steak?”
“Really fantastic. Do you want a bite?”
I nod, and Jacob cuts off a generous piece, which he puts on my plate. This is how he’s been the whole date. Handsome, polite, and extremely curious about me. He’s asked about my job, my friendship with Cat, and my apartment search, plus he let me show him about a thousand photos of Waffle. Check, check, checkity check.
He also doesn’t get my dumb jokes like Ryan would. He’s polite to a fault, not even joining in with Cat and Nate when they teased me about turning down the complimentary champagne. His perfect white smile doesn’t put butterfly’s in my stomach like Ryan’s flirty one did.
God,whyam I comparing him to Ryan? It’s like my mind is actively trying to sabotage the first good date I’ve been on in…well, years, if I’m honest.
I imagine shutting a physical door on Ryan in my mind and refocus on Jacob.
