I laugh. “You’ve never uncomplicated anything in your life. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of a situation where you didn’t complicate things unnecessarily.”
“Rude.”
I slip off my shorts and toss them into the laundry bin. I don’t know what to tell Evie. But I guess I’d better get used to talkingabout it because it’s going to be a thing for the next month and a half.
“It just kind of happened,” I say, reaching in and turning on the shower. “We were talking to this woman on the podcast about whether she should stick it out in a relationship or bail. I said she needs to have a conversation; Gianna said to jump ship. One thing led to another, and I’m daring her to date me for six weeks to prove that not all guys are assholes. To balance the equation a bit, if you will.”
“So are you really dating or not? Because I’m going to be devastated if this is a prank.”
I laugh, checking the water temperature.Perfect.“I told you. It’s complicated.”
“What are you getting out of this?”
“Honestly?”
“No, lie to me,” she says, snorting. “Yes, honestly.”
I pace the room and ponder the question, which isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Sure, I think it’s a good thing for Gianna to experience a nice guy. God knows that she deserves more than being ghosted and having to pick up the check at dinner. But there’s a selfish part of it, too—and that part of it feels a little … pathetic. But if there’s anyone I can confess that to, it’s Evie.
“Okay,” I say, taking a towel out of the linen closet. “Here’s what I’m getting out of it. Gianna is a woman who I’d consider spending a lot of time with. But she’s also the woman who I’ll never get to spend a lot of time with because she and I aren’t really compatible.”
“Why the hell not?”
I smile. “Because she doesn’t even believe in love, I don’t think. She bails on relationships. She’s a fucking maneater, Evie.” The thought makes me chuckle. “So I guess this is my way to have a few weeks with her withoutactuallydating her.” I stopmyself. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m going to date the hell out of that woman. But I’m going to do it knowing it’s for six weeks and then it’s over.”Hopefully, that’ll keep me from getting crushed.
“That’s an interesting take on things, but I hope it works out for you. I also hope we can double date so I can hang out with her.”
I shake my head. This conversation has gone on long enough. Evie got the information she wanted. Now she’ll use it to her advantage.Baby of the family shit.
“Hey, I have a shower running, so I need to go,” I say. “Are you good? You don’t need anything?”
“I will corner you on Sunday with prepared questions.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
She giggles. “Love you, Drakey.”
“Love you, Evie.”
She hangs up before I do.
The bathroom is steamy. The scent of eucalyptus from the branches my housekeeper hung in the shower a couple of weeks ago wafts through the air. I take a long breath, filling my airways with the cool, minty, almost medicinal scent. My lungs expand, tingling before I exhale.
I stare into the foggy glass, seeing a muddled reflection of myself. My stomach is a ball of nervous energy thanks to my sister’s questions. But they were helpful, too. Strangely, I feel better about this situation now than I did before my sister called.
I’m just going to have fun with it. I’ll make sure that if it’s only six weeks, it’s the best damn six weeks that Gianna ever has. She won’t be able to look back on this time without smiling and wishing she had more of it.
I turn toward the shower. Before I take a step, my phone lights up.
She finally responded.
Gianna: Yes, I’m free tomorrow at seven. Care to tell me where you’re taking me on our first date?
Guess that means she’s not backing out.I hold my breath as I type out my response, trying not to sound too eager.Play it cool, Bennett.
Me: It’s a surprise. I have everything handled.
Gianna: But what if I want details?
