Ryan
So you’re ignoring me, huh?
Is it because your date turned out to be a chainsaw-wielding killer clown?
Or worse, one of those guys with a Funko Pop collection?
Igive Pippa a few minutes to text me back and admit I’m right. Ten minutes later, I’m tapping my foot impatiently, waiting for an update. I might have said I was okay with her going on dates, but that doesn’t mean I want her ignoring me.
Ten minutes afterthat, I’m done being patient. I want to know exactly who this guy she’s out with is, and all the reasons he’s wrong for her. My most psychotic option would be to follow her shared location to the restaurant, sneak inside, and watch her like a creep. Slightly less insane would be to check out Nate’s company website until I figure out which guy Cat would set Pippa up with, then cyberstalk him.
So I think I’m being pretty damn reasonable when I do the normal thing—text my best friend to get nosy about my stepsister’s date.
Ryan
So, how’s that double date going?
Nate, at least, answers more promptly than Pippa.
Nate
I think it’s going really well, actually.
Fuuuuuuuuck.
Ryan
Define “really well”
Like “she’s smiling” well, or “I’m going to have to watch this dude breathe in my apartment later” well?
Nate
The first one, but she seems genuinely into him.
I hate that I let her go on this stupid date. I should have followed my instincts, thrown her over my shoulder and carried her off to bed. No, it shouldn't have even gotten that far. If I were really smart, I would have made it a house rule that Pippa can’t date anyone while she lives here.
When I type out my response to Nate, I hate every fucking word of it.
Ryan
Great. Maybe that means she’ll be out of my place faster.
What a joke. Pippa leaving here is the opposite of what I want. This thing between us feels so good, so natural. Dammit, I want her all to myself. Why can’t I justsaythat?
My body hums with nervous energy. I drum my hands on the coffee table, trying to get some of it out. When that doesn’t work, I start pacing around the apartment, waiting for an answer from Nate. After my twenty-eighth lap around the living room, I finally get one.
Nate
Pippa’s actually really great, you know. She deserves to find a good guy, so I’m glad she’s hitting it off with Jacob. She seems to like him a lot so far, so maybe it’ll work out.
Jacob. What a stupid,Twilight-ass name. I hate this guy immediately.
Ryan
Jacob?
That’s not a boyfriend name, that’s a background-extra-in-a-YA-adaptation name.
