For earning that big fat W.
But it never comes.
Instead, I watch the little blue dot on my phone as it exits the restaurant.
I sink onto the couch, leaning over my knees as the dot hovers on the sidewalk outside.
And feel nothing but guilt.
Ugly,and hollow.
27
PIPPA
The yellow sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows makes me squint as I slink out of my bedroom. That’s the downside to the apartment’s gorgeous view—the sun can blind you anytime it feels like it.
Waffle trots next to me all the way to the kitchen. I rub my eyes, turning her into a little black blur. I didn’t sleep great, and I need coffee, stat.
After the power cut off in the restaurant last night, we all had to slowly file out in the light of the flashlights on our phones, with our hands on each other’s shoulders for stability. Jacob was sweet about it, promising to make it up to me on a second date.
Accepting the invitation was a no-brainer. He’s the first decent guy I went out with, and there’s obviously potential there. He’s got a good job, good manners, good hair. He’s friends with my best friend’s fiancé. If I needed to, I could probably make the remainder of my 12 Dates series with him.
Of course, if I did that, I’d have to finish the series with the announcement that I’ve succeeded at finding a boyfriend. Narratively, it’s the only thing that would be satisfying to the readers. Besides, that’s what you do when you find someonewhose company you can stand for a few weeks, right? Make them your boyfriend. Those are the rules of dating.
Not that I’ve ever been great about following those.
My mind starts waking up while I go through the familiar motions of measuring out water and coffee. I’ve just pressed brew when Ryan emerges from his room, wearing his standard outfit—low slung pajama pants and nothing else. My stupid mouth waters at the sight of him. Just yesterday, I licked my way down his abs, and it was so goddamn sexy.
Ryan’s thoughts seem to be going in the same direction, because he bites his lip appreciatively as he looks me up and down. “Nice pajamas.”
My cheeks heat, because I’m not wearing my usual black pajamas. I’m wearing a white button-up shirt that actually belongs to Ryan. He left it on the floor after we had sex in my room a few days ago, and I threw it on last night because I didn’t feel like digging in my clean laundry to find pajamas.
Bonus, it still smelled like Ryan’s cologne. Fine, I admit it—I love how it smells. From the way Ryan’s looking at me, I suspect he knows that.
“So, how’d your date go last night?” He blinks at me innocently, like he didn’t spend the whole night texting me.
I cross my arms. “It was good. It went really,reallywell, actually—until the power went out and they evacuated the restaurant.”
“The guy should have picked a restaurant nice enough to pay their electric bills.” Ryan’s grin spreads so wide, it surpasses maximum smugness. It’s insufferable how presuming he is—it’s like heknowsI spent the entire night comparing Jacob to him.
Well, two can play at this game. “Jacob was great, actually. Kind and polite. Gorgeous, too. He had great hair.”
“Are you describing a man or a golden retriever?” Ryan deadpans.
“He was really curious about me and my job. Asked a lot of questions—seemed to find me really interesting. I think I’m going to go out with him again soon.”
“Ah, yes. Soon—the time when all fictional events happen.”
I put my hands on my hips. “It’s not fictional. He’s going to be my date for that New Year’s thing that James is having.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “James—as inmyJames?”
“He invited me. If you’re not careful, your friends are all going to like me better than you. I’m smarter, prettier, and way better smelling.”
Actually, I was surprised to get the invitation in my email. Cat had already mentioned that James always does a big party at Sequel’s headquarters. She also guaranteed some celeb sightings, since stars from Sequel shows always show up.
Ryan rolls his eyes. “I’m sure James just wanted to make sure Cat had a friend there, since you tag along with her toeverything.”
