“Knight in shining armor, huh?”
Yeah. He was. We’d shown up early for this date to determine whether it was worth even talking to the guy. His picture looked normal. Granted, in Fairy Tale, normal is a sliding scale.
“Look at the women walking up to Decker,” Mona hisses. “Hussies.”
He hasn’t turned around yet, and his gaze is fixed on the TVs behind the bar. As far as I know, he hasn’t noticed me yet.
“Come on, Decker. Please?” a woman I vaguely recognize begs. “I need it.”
He shakes his head, sipping his beer, but never turns his head in her direction. “No, Vanessa.”
She pouts and stomps off. And I realize with the clomping of her heels why she looks familiar. She’s been in our apartment before. Decker’s already fucked her.
“He took her home at least once,” I whisper to Mona, ducking down to avoid him seeing me when he turns his head towards the door.
“And she’s begging for a repeat, and he said no?” Mona stares at him over her shoulder like he’s on display at the zoo.
Or in quarantine because that’s the only other option for him to turn down willing sex. It’s a no-effort required hookup. Every playboy’s dream.
“I guess so.”
She crosses her arms. “And you’re still not sure he’s serious about you?”
Honestly? I wasn’t. Not until now. I didn’t want to blindly believe him when he said he hadn’t been with anyone since our shower incident. Hecouldlie easily enough. But what reason does he really have?
Another woman sidles up beside him, leaning hard on the bar. Her push-up bra is working overtime; her cleavage is practically brushing her chin. I’m impressed she’s able to breathe.
“No thanks,” Decker says with one glance before returning his attention to the TV.
“Seriously?” she gasps. “I’m offering you a good time in the bathroom, and you’re turning me down?”
“I’ve already had you in the bathroom, remember? I’ve had better, and I’m not interested.”
Had better. Is he referring to me?
“Wait, did he just imply you’re better than her?” Mona gasps.
“I have no idea.” Then I glare at her. “And ouch!”
“Sorry, he’s just… and she’s… I’ll shut up now.”
Still, it’s a confidence boost thinking he means me. Especially when bathroom girl is basically weaponizing her breasts. Maybe he is serious about dating only me. The nagging question is: For how long, though?
“Is that our guy?” Mona nods towards the front door.
Ourguy. She might’ve booked the date, but he’s here for me.
I nod, take a breath, and head over. At least if this goes south, Decker’s here. For all his flaws, I know he’d step in if I needed him to.
“Oliver?” I ask.
He smiles. “Great to meet you, Holly.”
“You, too.”
“I was hoping for better music tonight,” he says, glancing around, “but this’ll work.”
Confused, I look back to find Mona gone. I search and find her perched beside Decker at the bar, both of them watching me.
