He looks down at his tea, then rubs his free hand over his face. “I do not dislike you.”
“I’m not going to tell anyone your issues with your parents, if that’s what you’re worried about. Not my business, and I should’ve told you why I wanted to go to Jake’s grand opening last night. You have every right to be mad at me.”
“But I dislike being mad at anyone.”
“Except your parents?”
The man smiles at me.
Hesmiles.
Atthat.
“You have issues,” I mutter.
“We all do.”
“Oh my god,stop smiling. That’s just—why are you so happy about not liking your parents?”
“I have managed a remarkable achievement. I dislike my parents, so I set out to be as unsuccessful as possible while also being as happy as possible to spite them as I simultaneously disappoint them, and I’ve succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. And then the world rewarded me for my humble happiness with an ungodly level of professional success that I donotrub in their faces, though I could, and they know it, which means that I win. I am the bigger person, all while immensely disliking the people who raised me and being happy about all of it.”
I don’t even know what to say back to that.
I’m not sure I even followed it all. “You’re getting back at your parents by being unsuccessful and then over-successful and you win because you’re also morally better than they are?”
“Exactly. When one or the other wasn’t angry with me for whatever I saw or didn’t see with their flagrant affairs, they made sure that I knew perfection wasn’t good enough, therefore I would never be good enough. It’s remarkable how choosing to be happy has been the antidote to my entire childhood.”
“I can’t decide if that’s the healthiest attitude I’ve ever heard or the most unhinged.”
“Hopefully both. Are you aware that we’ve become the subject of gossip at a national level?” Simon says, switching the subject so quickly that I almost get whiplash.
“What? No. What are you talking about?”
“The executive producer of my show called as the boys and I were headed home. We’ve made a few gossip sites. He’s asked that I continue to be seen in public with you. Good for continued high ratings while I write my next project.”
“What’s next?”
He winks. “It’s a secret. Which us being seen in public would not be.”
“And…you’ll go out with me to spite your parents?”
“Absolutely not. My jolly existence is enough to spite my parents at this point. But I enjoy your company, and Lana tells me she’s on your side and that I shouldn’t be angry about the situation with your ex-boyfriend, as he’s a total wanker. So it wouldn’t be a hardship to take you on another date, unless you dislike me so immensely for the utter arse that I made of myself last night that you would prefer to never see me again.”
I choke on a laugh. “It’s a relief to know that being seen with me wouldn’t be a hardship.”
“I’m aware you have no interest in long-term plans. I am also never getting involved in anything long term, so we could simply…enjoy each other’s company for the remainder of the summer. Or until you become fed up with me. Whichever might come first. Which I suspect will be you becoming fed up with me. It fits my track record.”
Fuck me sideways, he’s serious. “What makes you think I’d be fed up with you before you get fed up with me?”
That smile.
My god, that smile needs to stop.
I’m starting to feel happy just because he’s smiling, and that’s easily four steps beyond noticing a man might have an attractive feature or two.
This is puppy attraction stage.
Not puppy love—god no, never puppy love—but definitely puppy attraction.
